AT&T To Offer Broadband TV

Published: Sep 21, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - AT&T Inc. announced Thursday it will invest $750 million in broadband infrastructure in Florida as it seeks to woo customers from traditional cable companies.

The move comes after passage of a state law that makes it easier for telecommunications companies to enter the TV business.

Gov. Charlie Crist joined officials from AT&T, the country's largest provider of broadband Internet and land and wireless phone services, for the announcement.

The company recently announced plans to expand into broadband in several other states as it takes advantage of laws similar to Florida's.

The new law allows statewide franchises for providing cable television, rather than forcing companies to go through the local franchising process.

Officials with San Antonio-based AT&T aren't announcing yet which Florida cities will benefit first from the expansion, but typically the company has sought to expand its broadband infrastructure in larger metro areas, where high population densities make it more profitable.

AT&T Florida President Marshall Criser said the company wasn't prepared to be specific about where its service will be available, for competitive reasons.

Industry competitor Verizon also is moving aggressively into the TV market.

Criser said it would take several years to complete the broadband network. He couldn't say exactly how long it will be before customers have access.

Crist said the measure would give some customers more choices and promote competition.

"The more choice you have, the better opportunity the consumer has to be a consumer that's getting a fair deal," Crist said. "I really applaud AT&T."

Criser said the company's plans include introducing its U-verse television service, based on a new technology that transmits television signals over a high-speed broadband Internet connection.

AT&T said that service, which is offered in more than 20 cities across the country, had more than 50,000 subscribers this summer and that the company expects to be doing 10,000 installations a week by the end of the year.

Analysts see telecom companies becoming big competitors with cable companies.