If you were confused by AT&T U-verse’s announcement that it now offers phone service, welcome to marketing 101.

Since launching in Orange County in 2007, this alternative-to-cable TV did offer telephone service. But unlike its TV service that is delivered to homes using Internet technology, the phone service option was plain old telephone service. This feature wasn’t something that AT&T promoted.

Today, however, U-verse phone service in Orange County and the Los Angeles area graduates to the Internet, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

According to AT&T, U-verse phone customers get several more features:

• Nifty voice mail service. Each number gets 8 accounts (to share among family members). Additionally, you can link a mobile phone number to each account so you need to only check one voice mail box for home phone and cell phone messages.
• Online account access to manage voice mail, contacts, etc.
• Online access to call history
• “Locate Me,” feature, which will ring up to 4 other phone numbers simultaneously (excellent feature if you’re not at home but don’t want to give someone your cell number).

Prices should be lower too. The unlimited local and national package is $30/month, while the 1,000-minute plan to anywhere in the U.S. is $25. AT&T’s traditional home-phone service is $40/month for unlimited calls.

And by the way, U-verse includes a battery backup for the phone service in case the power goes out. However, since phone service relies on Internet access, phone service won’t work if there is an Internet outage, according to an AT&T U-verse spokesperson.

More U-Verse news: Check out the Gadgetress Guide to local TV services. Latest U-Verse headlines:

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