ATT U-verse vs. Time Warner Cable
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Which do You Prefer? AT&T Uverse or Time Warner Cable
See results without votingCommunications Giants Collide
The fight for dominance in the market for triple play services is one that has become extremely competitive in recent times. Cable companies now have stiff competition in the form of telcos that are leveraging fiber-optic technology to deliver what they consider to be a more affordable and dependable service. Two service providers right in the thick of things are AT&T and Time Warner Cable. AT&T’s U-verse is being rapidly deployed in new markets, but how does it really match up? Here is a comparison to give you some insight on where it stands against Time Warner.
Key Features
AT&T U-verse
On the surface, U-verse offers a myriad of features that make it hard to pass up. This includes a fully loaded internet service equipped with free anti-virus software, spam protection with SpamGuard, 10 free email accounts, and a personalized homepage. If you are TV fanatic, then the Total Home DVR is where it’s at. This innovative digital video recorder gives you the power to record programs on one TV and play them back on any set in your home. It also provides remote control capability that allows you to record shows from your PC or mobile phone. Picture-in-picture channel surfing, a customizable programming guide, and a suite of interactive applications show that AT&T is well prepared for the digital TV revolution.
Time Warner Cable
Fierce competition has forced cable providers to ramp up their efforts and those improvements are reflected in Time Warner’s impressive triple play offering. Time Warner delivers the goods when it comes to sports programming, on-demand options, and HD especially. The cable giant offers more than 100 high definition channels featuring popular options such as USA, The Weather Channel and ABC Family that are freely available on HD receivers. Time Warner’s digital phone service is pretty basic, but RoadRunner, its internet service, is definitely worth talking about. RoadRunner offers free wireless home networking, webmail and multiple email accounts, comprehensive parent controls, and a fully integrated internet security suite complete with a firewall, spam protection, and anti-virus software. As you can see, great features are plentiful regardless of what provider you decide to go with.
Customer Service and Technical Support
AT&T U-verse and Time Warner both have well designed support systems to help their customers rest a bit easier. By hopping online, you can access documentation that helps you diagnosis and troubleshoot issues related to your phone, TV or internet service. You can also obtain support over the phone whereas with most services, the quality depends on a number of factors. While we cannot guarantee that you will fall in love with the support provided by either company, we can tell you that Time Warner has far fewer documented instances of complaints and bad service than AT&T. However on the other hand, Time Warner Cable has been expanding its bandwidth throttling practices.
Reliability and Performance
BBB accredited since 1970, Time Warner is a seasoned company with tons of experience. We think this speaks volumes on behalf of its reliability. The cable service provider has an excellent reputation for blazing internet speeds and ensuring a very acceptable degree of availability. Despite AT&T’s long tenor as a telecommunications company, AT&T U-verse on the other hand, is a relatively new product with some kinks that need to be worked out. If you are someone who frequents the online forums, then you may have run across existing customers complaining of issues with picture quality, connectivity, and availability among others. Of course these are not problems everyone is experiencing, both it does speak to the immaturity of U-verse.
Overall Value
All in all, AT&T U-verse and Time Warner are two quality services capable of suiting the needs of most customers. Due to the experience factor however, Time Warner may be the most dependable option at this time. Should you decide to give U-verse a shot, try to take advantage of the 30-day money back guarantee - just in case you determine that the service does not live up to your expectations.
If you are evaluating the packages of both services make sure to check out this comprehensive Time Warner Cable and AT&T U-verse Comparison.
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I just switched to u verse and am not satisfied with the picture quality at all...
I switched from TW to Uverse yesterday. Have already placed my order to have TW reinstalled. The HD quality on Uverse is AWFUL!!! Can't wait to get my TW cable back!
Hi! I just got a job selling u-verse. I go out and talk to current customers and they love it. If you have issues I know its a hassle to call the 1-800 number. But this is new technology. I am a TW customer and use the issues i have to sell u-verse. ATT is a giant in the cellphone industry and landline. Years ago there were kinks to be worked out, just give it time. Techs are out 24/7 to ensure that u-verse is getting better by the minute. and if anyone asks I am a TW customer because u-verse isn't available in my area!!
I switched to ATT Uverse from TW about a month ago. I have had more service interruptions and outages in the past month than I had in the past year with TW. The ATT DVR is way better but the ATT HD picture quality is noticeably inferior. I am finally going back to TW. Just placed the order today.
Both suck. TW better picture. ATT better DVR. TW better customer service. ATT more reliable internet while having TV service also. TW is a couple bucks cheaper.
DirecTV would be my choice hands down except for stupid contracts, local weather channel is a minus also, plus no on demand. DirecTV does have the best DVR (TIVO) and the best picture. Also, it only cuts out when it's raining really hard. The other two cut out even when it's sunny outside. Picture and DVR are the most important to me, but contract is a big no sale for me.
This is scaring me. Our TW has had so many problems for so long--intermittent audio/visual pixillation, throughout our neighborhood--that we're finally switching to AT&T, like many of our neighbors. But I work from a home office and require reliable internet, and I am very worried about that. I also hate to give up the earthlink email account I've had for 10 years. Maybe I'll hold onto that for a bit in case we need to switch back. Fingers crossed!!
The reason your picture quality sucks is because you need a better HDTV.
As a DISH employee I completely understand what it means to save money. I know having DISH I have save a lot of money for what they offer. DISH has TV everywhere, which I love because I can watch Live TV off my Android phone any where I go. We also have HD free for life and most companies are charging for their HD channels. We always have promotions out for new and existing customers. We always try to give our customer low and fair prices.
Just purchased a new HDTV and found all your comments relevant. Still don't know which service to go with, but leaning toward Time Warner.
Just got AT&T for 30 day trial. HD quality sucks and internet is slow even at 18mbps. If AT&T can't fix this ASAP I'm getting rid of AT&T.
Currently, I have AT&T DSL and the quality is bad for internet. We are searching to add cable or UVerse TV and I shopped around for both AT&T and TW.
AT&T UVerse plans are confusing and there are myriad options to choose from and the deals have very fine prints. Each time you ask them they give different prices. If you bargain, they give discounts, at least in stores. Still not worth it. Here are the reasons.
They wanted $450 deposit from me even though I have an excellent credit rating. Their service is very poor in their stores and online. When I tried Time Warner, it was a breeze to select an option and order in minutes. The service on the phone was great. They answered all questions clearly. No deposits needed by TW. Took me 5 to 10 minutes for the whole thing form selection to scheduling an installation with TW while I have wasted hours with AT&T stores and online.
Only issues I have with TW are their installation price ($200) and the TV channel line up was not clearly published in TW. AT&T does a better job of informing what channels are included. The prices were very comparable.
I have other friends who had major service problems with AT&T but were happy with TW. Seems like TW had been specializing in this market for a long time and they need to work hard to keep the customers satisfied. I am going with TW cable and a turbo speed internet that is dedicated.
all of u people are complaining about att uverse like they care there people signing up everyday.. and your incompetent if u think time warner can compare to att uverse there is no way. each person is diff and has diff needs if the shit dont work for u stop complaning and get what does. i am a proud att customer and will have uverse long as i have a tv. time warner is for u cheap broke people who love complaining. your gonna have problems with whatever service u have just deal with it nothings gonna be perfect. i want the best thats why i have att uverse
It's Broadcast vs. Switched Video Technology. Time Warner will NEVER be able to compare to U-Verse because of the way they send signal. U-Verse will always expand HD channels and add interactive apps, which is one thing Time Warner can't do. Why do you think TW always drops channels? They don't have enough band width. Sorry guys, but as the number one direct sales rep in the Nation last month, Time Warner makes my job EASY setting up numerous new accounts a week for U-Verse
The customer is always right, wrong...
If you like being treated like a second class citizen/ customer, ATT is the provider for you.
If you only desire to speak to automated telephone support, ATT is the provider for you.
If you enjoy the inablility to settle any sort of dispute whatsoever, ATT is the provider for you.
If you're enamored by offensive and threatening business letters, ATT is the provider for you.
God forbid you should decide to upgrade your services with them because they'll continue charging you for both the old services and new ones.
After 6 prision-like years of services (if you know what i mean), I'm sending it all back. Good riddance.
ATT, this is my last act as a paying customer, and it's only befitting that I let everyone know how wonderful you are!
Regards,
Hope ATT fires you Dimitrious from Sales, Service and Billing (phone click)
if you are having picture quality issues ...it pays to buy a Samsung with features to negate the picture quality issues in advance settings. Cheap TVs equal inability to prOduce the comparable and in my opinion better picture that can be enjoyed on uverse. So the reason you got your flat screen for under $700 bucks ls now apparently clear.
So I've worked for TW and ATT U-Verse as a Tech... I've also worked the phones for both in either Tech support or sales... I've heard the phone calls for both customers for both Companies... and the winner is.... hands Down U-Verse is the better Service... not even a competition anymore... for all those who said it didn't work... for all those who had technical problems(i.e. pix-elation, phone problems, etc) that happens with any compnay but I did the numbers and its clearly a better system with Fiber-Optics... I will say U-verse being newer had bugs to sort out in the past years but now it's clearly better than my old Time Warner... Comparing U-verse to TW is like comparing apples to oranges... One's copper TV and Internet and one's Fiber-Optic TV and Internet... With My U-Verse I get every channel in HD! Every Channel! Up to 170 are in 1080i! TW has 8! Do the math!... you want 8 1080hd channels or 170 and growing! My internet is also faster and stays fast... it doesn't fluctuate like it used to with TW! And to top it off I get movie channels just included with my package and I pay less than I did with TW! I thank God that I gave the U-Verse guy a chance at my door! He wasn't pushy or rude... he simply found out my concerns and hot spots and then he showed my options. U-Verse I can see now will dominate in the years to come... everyone I know is switching as soon as they can! Sooner or later everyone will be on Fiber-Optics... will you be the last one?
Steve Mitchell 2 years ago
I just switched from Time Warner cable to Uverse. The Uverse DVR is a lot better than the scientific atlanta from time warner. I think they've been using the same DVR for 8 years. the uverse one is motorola and the hdmi output actually works!