Will deliver DirecTV content to phones
DALLAS — AT&T will become the first U.S. carrier to offer a nationwide bundle of TV and cellphone service following its July acquisition of satellite-TV provider DirecTV.
“AT&T is the only single provider that can deliver nationwide TV and wireless services with one point of contact for customer care on a single monthly bill,” the carrier said of the Aug. 10 launch of its bundles. As part of the bundle, consumers have the option of bundling DirecTV service or AT&T’s U-verse fiber-optic-based landline TV service, which is available in 21 states.
Verizon also combines its bills for FiOS TV and cellphone service but only in the limited markets where FiOS is available.
As part of its launch, AT&T will also deliver DirecTV content to a subscriber’s phone through a DirecTV app. The carrier has also begun selling DirecTV service through its more than 2,000 stores.
New subscribers will get immediate access to DirecTV programming on their mobile devices as soon as they walk out of an AT&T store.
Additionally, DirecTV and U-verse TV customers who switch to AT&T wireless service from another carrier will get a $300 bill credit for a limited time when they buy a smartphone on an AT&T Next installment-payment plan and trade in an eligible smartphone.
With AT&T’s bundled All in One plans, consumers who sign up for DirecTV or U-verse service for the first time opt for a variety of promotionally priced DirecTV or AT&T U-verse plans at $50, $70, $75 or $125/month. The price includes up to four TV receivers, DVR functionality and HD technology fees.
The prices are available for 12 months, after which normal rates apply. For a basic DirecTV plan, that’s $85, and for a basic U-verse plan, the regular price is $93.
Consumers then add cellphone service with 10GB of shareable data and unlimited talk and text for four phone lines for $160/month, excluding the cost of phones. Customers then get a $10/ month combined-bill discount. With a $50 basic TV plan from DirecTV or U-verse, the monthly bill would come to $200/month, representing a savings $600 or more in the first 12 months, the company said.
A 24-month agreement required for DirecTV packages, and a 12-month agreement is required for U-verse plans.
Where available, consumers can also add on AT&T landline Internet services for their homes. Introductory 12-month promotional pricing includes a Wi-Fi gateway with no monthly fees for equipment. Pricing for three speed tiers ranges from $30 for 6Mbps service, $40 for 24Mbps, and $50 for 75Mbps.
