AT&T offers 18 Mbps DSL – with a catch

Next week, AT&T is making 18 Mbps downstream DSL available to its customer base. However, right now the higher speed is only "exclusively available" for AT&T U-verse TV customers. It will be interesting to see how long that lasts.

The "Max 18" service will be available to eligible residential customers for $65 a month as a part of a bundle with AT&T U-verse TV, with professional installation included for new U-verse TV customers. Eligible existing U-verse Internet customers can upgrade their packages at any time without additional install costs or appointments.

AT&T also wants to remind U-verse Internet customers that they get free Wi-Fi connectivity to more than 17,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots, before they add in all the acquisitions with Wayport. So customers really get an integrated "quad-play" bundle.

AT&T's move is welcome news to consumers that have cable and U-Verse competing head-to-head. The 18 Mbps download speed outguns cable offerings from Cox and Time Warner in Orange County, CA.

For more:
- AT&T announces Max 18 DSL service in a press release.
- OC Register blog on the wonders of cable vs. telco competition.

Related articles
AT&T puts bandwidth squeeze on Reno - FierceTelecom
AT&T's warm 3Q results - FierceTelecom