Comments on: AT&T U-verse comes to a halt in Irvine, 6 other O.C. cities

By: Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:27:44 +0000

Did you see this update: "Irvine and AT&T U-verse TV remain at impasse"? Sorry to say, looks like we won't be seeing any more progress in Irvine in the near future.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:55:25 +0000

Just wondering if there’s any more news regarding Irvine…

By: Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:39:39 +0000

Yes, AT&T sued Mission Viejo after the city imposed a moratorium. The two have been working together since, or so I’m told. Stay tuned for an update in upcoming weeks (I am heading to jury duty again today so my U-verse updates are on hold).

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:09:43 +0000

Any news about Mission Viejo?

By: Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:49:06 +0000

It’s bad enough that some permits won’t be pursued for now, but it’s worse for those of us who live in a city where the roll-out has come to a stop. In my Laguna Niguel neighbourhood, U-Verse deployment came within two blocks and stopped. LN residence north of Avila Rd can’t get U-Verse for now. I have called the City of Laguna Niguel for comment, and they excuse themselves on the issue. The City and AT&T should get together and finish the job in Laguna Niguel…!! Very frustrating.

By: Cole Shannon

Cole Shannon — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:00:07 +0000

Hi Tamara,

Any updates? Looks like this article has generated quite a response. This might be worth talking to state legislators about. Could there be something illegal going on between these cable companies and cities? What ever happened to free enterprise and anti-trust laws?

By: no name required

no name required — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:52:27 +0000

I hate cox! Their name says it all!!! I would love to have the option to have another provider but no I am stuck with cox….it sucks my basic package for internet, cable and phone is over 150 a month! PLEASE LETS ALL FIGHT THIS AND GET MORE OPTIONS FOR THE CITY OF IRVINE!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:26:08 +0000

David, I’m in Northpark as well, however ATT’s website says my house is not supported for U-Verse.

By: D

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:44:40 +0000

Tamara,

I couldn’t help but laugh at this article you posted on 10/23/08 in response to an e-mail I had sent you. Funny, AT&T claims the Irvine Co. has been very “amenable” to working with them. Guess their definition of amenable and mine are a tad different…

“U-Verse TV service from AT&T is already offered in parts of Irvine. But it’s not available everywhere in the city yet — to the disappointment of one Irvine reader who told me he’d heard the delay was due to issues with The Irvine Company, Irvine’s big developer and landlord.

Not true, according to both companies. Bill Rams, with The Irvine Company, said he wasn’t aware of any situation. H. Gordon Diamond, with AT&T’s public affairs, said the two are working together to expand U-verse in Irvine.

“The Irvine Company has been very amenable to talking with AT&T, and they continue to express an interest in bringing a new choice in home entertainment and other next-generation services to residents and homeowners. We look forward to continuing our work with them and exploring future options for AT&T U-verse on Irvine Company properties,” Diamond said in an e-mail.

By: MN

MN — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:42:29 +0000

I had AT&T Uverse when I lived in Fullerton- I was so disappointed to find out it wasn’t available in my area (Westpark) in Irvine. Who would have thought such a technically advanced wonderful city wouldn’t have the latest & greatest available? COX cable is WAY overpriced and is not nearly as feature packed as Uverse. Who on the city council is lining their pockets from what we’re overpaying to COX? I now pay for TV & DVR (record max of 2) what I paid Uverse for TV (more channels), DVR (record 4, watch DVR in any room!) & Internet.

By: D

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:14:49 +0000

Simply put, this is BS. Irvine has some deal with Cox. Why would they allow cable to be installed all over the city but deny AT&T?

Tamara, please let us know what you hear…

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:40:57 +0000

Its really too bad that U-verse isn’t available in Irvine. Put simply… U-Verse is great.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:48:25 +0000

Federal law protects your right to put up a dish as long as it is not mounted to the building and is within the profile of your unit. Basically if you have a balcony that faces the correct direction and you keep the dish inside the profile of the balcony you should have no trouble. HOA’s have a long history of bullying homeowners. Check out your rights. The Federal law is pretty simple and clear.

By: John

John — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:42:08 +0000

I live in Tustin where they do not belive in free economics. The City does nothing to help it’s residents. We can’t even get Dish service because our apartments(Courtyard Gardens Apt.) won’t allow it. They never heard of free competition. They just let Time Warner lie to it’s customers and get away with it. The city council only cares about lining it’s own pockets.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:15:53 +0000

I hate COX because they are $$$$$$.. There 6 month free phone is a joke because they still charge you. Sure they have specials but they make you get the digital service which box is extra.COX Cable TV is rip off……. My brother in law has U-Verse in Anaheim and boy the speed of internet and so many Ch. Line up for less then $60!..

No wonder COX is trying hard not to let AT&T move in because COX will be out of business.

Cox basic TV $51 are you kidding me?

By: John Sweet

John Sweet — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:06:03 +0000

Thanks again Dana Point for nothing. How much is Cox shelling out to keep U- verse out. One more business where the city won’t allow competition.

By: alphanumericone

alphanumericone — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:33:52 +0000

Oh how I wish I had a choice for internet access. COX has good speed, but the price is ridiculous!
Only option is to go satellite, then I’m fighting the HOA to get a dish put up.

By: tbone445

tbone445 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:30:50 +0000

I’m glad you’re checking with the cities for their side of the story. Aesthetics is one issue that might be slowing required permits, because the UVerse utility boxes, which are above ground, are much bigger than the standard ones, and that matters to citizens who have these things near their properties.
Also, I bet that franchise fees has something to do with this, and I would ask this to the cities and ATT. My guess is that the current ATT franchises only address voice communications, and not TV service. So, ATT is conveniently avoiding fees that their cable provider competitors must pay. Tthe cities might be holding up permits until those franchise agreements are properly updated.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:48:41 +0000

I will start by saying that I am a hardcore Democrat. That said, I don’t believe local communities should be able to block or micro-manage new technology roll outs. Just yesterday I read that Palo Alto in Northern California was contemplating litigation to block the routing of a statewide high speed train. It seems it could widen the easement of the existing tracks there. We all know our freeway system is well beyond it’s limits.This train could be a great asset to the State economically as well as easing the growth of traffic on highways. It’s not fair. What would benefit the many is getting high-jacked by the few. It seems like AT&T and Verizon would be better off going to the State with a standard product and support architecture that could be approved for roll out statewide. Also an investigation into Cox and Time Warner’s political relations with the cities involved in this tit for tat blockade.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:04:22 +0000

I got U-verse when I moved to Laguna Hills. I like the service over Cox. While it’s not perfect, I think overall the quality is better, and the variety of channels and internet access is better. DVR service is absolutely better.

If I had the choice however I’d go for FIOS, but it’s not available. I understand they won’t let FIOS and AT&T overlap their service areas which I don’t understand. Competition is good. Let cable, IPTV, and satellite battle it out.

By: strawbridge_ca

strawbridge_ca — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:12:01 +0000

A good percent of Northpark is now Uverse capable. I, unfortunately, am in the northwest area of Northpark and cannot get Uverse at this time. I have tried on several occasions to request Uverse since I can’t wait to kick Cox to the curb. Enjoy your Uverse!!

By: Catlee

Catlee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:04:06 +0000

I’m not suprised that Irvine (Woodbridge) is on that list. It’s not offered here. They won’t even have a cell phone tower put here for better coverage.