EXCLUSIVE: AT&T HomeZone First Look

**ranger714** · 07-19-2006 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by ChetK

Looking at the third bullet point, what is this "AT&T Wireless Gateway" option? Does this simply mean that I have to have wireless at home with my DSL? Does it have to be an AT&T product or can I be using a Linksys-type WiFi router? I did a Google search and found
this

, but it just looks like regular old WiFi to me.

AT&T Homezone will require the use of the AT&T-provided DSL Gateway, which is currently the 2Wire HomePortal 2700HG-B.

Existing customers may be able to use older HomePortal gateways, but wireless is recommended, and I'd say 802.11g for better connection speeds (for moving data between the MediaPortal and the Internet and between the local computers and the MediaPortal).

Other equipment is not supported and will not allow the Homezone service to operate properly.

**Neutron** · 07-19-2006 01:52 PM

We're switching to E* under my wife's name.

The reason we didn't go through AT&T to get E* was because we would have had to pay more up front that way. For instance, we were going to get the 622 up front. With E* it's $199. With AT&T it's $299. That's just one example.

**GaryPen** · 07-19-2006 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by ChetK

They have more
here: http://www.att.com/homezone

.

Thanks for the link! It must be new. I do periodic searches on the ATT website. This is the first time I've seen it.

As for pricing, it appears that it's $9.99 above the current bundled price for their DSL and Dish service. Not bad considering there is already a discount for having both bundled together, and there is no bullship $200 fee for the hardware like with the 622 from Dish.

I'm disappointed it's only in Austin TX, and Ohio for now. But, at least I have a little more time to decide whether to switch back from C*!

**GaryPen** · 07-19-2006 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Neutron

We're switching to E* under my wife's name.

The reason we didn't go through AT&T to get E* was because we would have had to pay more up front that way. For instance, we were going to get the 622 up front. With E* it's $199. With AT&T it's $299. That's just one example.

I'm looking at the ATT website right now. The 622 upgrade fee is $199.

I thought you hated Dish. You made such a fuss when you switched to D*. Has the grass turned brown?

For me, the only reason to go back with Dish programming is the ATT HomeZone. So, I will wait, and get my HD DVR for no money down, and pay the $10 month for the added functionality.

**Neutron** · 07-19-2006 02:31 PM

Reason being we had D* up until the first part of this month. We bought our house and was going to get Comcast cable since I got tired of D*'s promise of more and more HD and the new HD-DVR and neither have turned up. Plus the HD-DTivo of ours had slowed to a crawl and my wife was getting tired of it.

But, our cable install date came and went with the tech never showing up and then accusing me of not being home, and when I griped about it to the CSR I was told the tech was telling the truth and that I was lying to them.

So E* was our only other choice, and with their leasing option it saves us over cable anyway, plus, and even though they are in HD-Lite, at least E* is taking the initiative to add new HD channels after they come out.

I'm willing to admit that my gripes about E* before were trivial.

I saw D* give in to programming providers and immediately saw our rates go up after their promise of no rate hikes.

**GaryPen** · 07-19-2006 02:40 PM

Too bad you can't wait for HomeZone. Isn't Plano close to Austin? It should be in your area soon.

**ChetK** · 07-19-2006 02:44 PM

Gary,

It's San Antonio. Not Austin.

**token** · 07-19-2006 02:45 PM

It is stupid you must be a NEW Dish customer, thru ATT, to get this. So the entire installed base of ATT/Dish customers have to cancel there service for 6 months to use this new service, or go without.

Makes no sense...none.