AT&T
VoIP service from a trusted provider.
Summary
AT&T is now an active participant in the VoIP market. AT&T seems to be taking the “old school” approach by dividing features that are standard with many providers, into upper tier packages. Since they already have access to PTSP lines, they could have offered IP software packages as add-ons to POTS (plain old telephone systems), which would have been an interesting and totally viable approach. Instead, they are hoping to draw their share of VoIP customers and, given the recent failure of some very notable VoIP providers, they might just do that.
In order for AT&T to gain credibility with the shop-wise techno geeks of today, they need to learn to play by today’s rules. When they disrupted thousands of their own VoIP customers in May 2007 (by turning off their service and informing them they would be permanently disconnected in 30 days while denying them the option of porting their numbers), they opened old wounds concerning the involvement of corporate giants in this industry. But to be fair, it took a lot of thought for AT&T to devise a VoIP plan that would not run her “baby bells” out of business. When the infancy of the VoIP business is considered some respect should be given for this for this well established company, for providing virtually trouble-free service across the country for more than one hundred years. Conversely, we should allow them a learning curve while they apply standard business practices to the emergent system. Given time, AT&T should make its mark on the VoIP arena, as they have the telecommunications industry.
Pros
- Nationwide equipment, call centers and infrastructure for troubleshooting and further development
- Trusted brand name
- Reasonably priced packages
- Services residential and commercial
- Broad variety of calling features
Cons
- No free plans offered
- History of disconnecting users without notice
- High Speed Internet required, not included in fees
Expense
The basic residential package includes unlimited US and Canada and costs $24.99 per month. Two lines are $49.99 per month with the first being unlimited and the second with 500 U.S./Canada minutes, (4 cents per minute thereafter). A local-only line is $19.99 per month. Conference calling, (available for up to 10 callers) costs 35 cents per minute. It is not clear whether an adaptor is provided for this service, but the shipping fee is $9.95, even if it is purchased. (If you are sent a free adaptor, it must be returned within 16 business days of cancellation) The activation fee is $29.99 and the disconnect fee is the same amount for cancelling prior to one year. Universal Connectivity Charge and other state and federal taxes and surcharges apply.
AT&T offers business plans that begin at $50 per line per month for unlimited calling. The least expensive business plan is $45 per line per month for 500 minutes.
The “Enterprise” system is a central system that mimics a PBX, but with the capacity to monitor, forward, convert voicemail to text, communicate with cells, etc. Pricing is based upon need, per a consultation with an agent.
Features
The residential plan includes most popular features, some with an additional fee:
- Call Log
- Voicemail
- PhoneBook
- Locate Me
- Do Not Disturb
- Speed Dial
- Conference calling
- 3-way Calling
- Call Forwarding
- Call Waiting
- Caller ID
- 911 access
Business plans include all the above plus,
- Record and Send (broadcast messaging)
- Call Hunt (routes calls to another employee when you are on the line)
- Call Manager
- Take Your Number With You
Common Misspellings
ATT, AT and T, AT&T VOP
Milly : A notable company like At&t might be the best choice for me, but Im still skeptical about their customer service. How are they, has anyone had a good experience with them?
