Coffee Talk #579: AT&T U-Verse vs. Time Warner Cable

So it looks like I’m going to be switching apartments in the near future. As a nerd, Internet and TV services are a prime concern. Unlike my current domicile, one of the buildings I’m looking at has AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner Cable options. As several of you know, I loathe Time Warner Cable — easily the worst cable company I’ve ever had. However, AT&T isn’t a telecom white knight in shining armor either. That’s where you come in! I would sincerely appreciate your help in thinking this important decision through. Here’s what I have so far…more

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So it looks like I’m going to be switching apartments in the near future. As a nerd, Internet and TV services are a prime concern. Unlike my current domicile, one of the buildings I’m looking at has AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner Cable options. As several of you know, I loathe Time Warner Cable — easily the worst cable company I’ve ever had. However, AT&T isn’t a telecom white knight in shining armor either. That’s where you come in! I would sincerely appreciate your help in thinking this important decision through. Here’s what I have so far.

AT&T U-Verse
+ Not Time Warner Cable
+ Modern DVR with more capacity
+ FTTN means constant Internet speeds
+ Cheaper
– 250GB monthly Internet cap (doubt I’d hit it, but the principle….)
– $10 up-charge for HD channels
– Can’t buy your own modem, $6/month rental fee required
– Tech visits are potentially expensive

Time Warner Cable
+ No Internet cap
+ Potentially faster download speeds and better ping rates depending on how many users are on the node
+ Can buy your own (better) modem
+ Tech visits are free
– Wretched DVR with low capacity
– Download and ping can dip depending on how many users are on the node
– More expensive

Right now, I’m leaning towards U-Verse. On the work side,  one of the biggest time-sucks in my current workflow is uploading video. Depending on how many people are on the node, my upload speeds range from decent to abysmal. One of the attractive things about U-Verse is having constant Internet speeds.

On the entertainment side, it’s U-Verse all the way. TWC’s DVR has an archaic UI and limited capacity. It’s just awful.

The big question is service. When something goes wrong with TWC, it’s generally resolved quickly and tech support has been friendly in my experience. I’ve read nightmares about AT&T tech support. Since this is something I’ll be relying on for work, service is important.

Anyway, those are my scattered, initial thoughts on AT&T U-Verse vs. Time Warner Cable. I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter, since this is a hugely important choice. Thanks in advance!

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

15 thoughts on “Coffee Talk #579: AT&T U-Verse vs. Time Warner Cable”

  1. UVerse is expensive 30 year old dsl tech. I wouldn’t pay for it. Double bonded VDSL isn’t awesome.
    As far as entertainment goes why not just ditch pay tv and use netflix, hulu, etc for your needs? You won’t miss it. My current home is literally within 250 feet of the VRAD and they could only promise me 12 down and 1 up. Whereas Charter gives me 40 down and 5 up with DOCSIS 3.0 for a cheaper internet price. TWC might suck but at least their network is more modern.

    If TWC is that wretched as far as DVR goes why not build an HTPC and use that? Doesn’t that work if you have a CableCard?

    1. Cutting the TV cord entirely isn’t an option for boxing fans. Live boxing requires at least HBO. Last time I checked, TWC didn’t have the two-way CableCards needed for PPVs (boxing again!).

    2. Also, Time Warner’s 30/5 Internet is almost double the price of U-Verse 24/2. I very much prefer cable over VDSL, but Time Warner is much worse than the other cable companies I’ve had (Cablevision, Comcast, and Cox).

    3. The ONLY thing preventing me from cutting the cord completely (Hulu, Netflix, etc. only) is my accursed love of sports! I have to be able to watch the Heat, Dolphins, (and Lord help me) even the worse-than-shitty Marlins. Buying the NBA and MLB season passes won’t help, either since the games can be blacked out locally. I guess I can use an HD antenna to get the Dolphins since they broadcast on a local CBS affiliate, but still, I wish I could get ESPN and SunSports to broadcast their good stuff online. That’s all I’m missing.

      -M

  2. I’d still go with twc. Better the devil u know than he devil u don’t know. Plus buying my own modem is better and i like not being billed for service I can’t fix but do need a tech to go out to do it. Wtf am I paying them for

  3. It sounds like the consistency in internet speeds and the fact that AT&T is better from the entertainment perspective are the biggest factors to take into account. Also, I don’t see the $10 and $6 fees for HD channels and the modem as a huge negative because it would possibly still be cheaper than TWC depending on your package options.

    Either way none of the options sound too favorable, but AT&T could prove to be the lesser of two evils. Personally I would have gone with AT&T where I am at now if they were offered in our area.

  4. Can you use a Tivo with TWC? If so, wouldn’t that eliminate the DVR concern? Yeah, I know you have to pay extra for it, but would it be worth it to you?

    -M

    1. Unless they upgraded their CableCards (entirely possible), no boxing PPVs. Last time I checked, they were one-way only. You need two-way for PPV.

  5. Dang, it looks like I’m destined to stay with Time Warner Cable. I placed a U-Verse order for the new place and AT&T says that there’s existing service in the apartment. They can’t disconnect it because it’s through a third party. They said that the landlord has to get in touch with the previous tenant and have him/her disconnect the service before I can activate mine. That’s…unreasonable.

    1. U-Verse Saga Update: Apparently the previous tenant moved to Korea and it will be extremely difficult to get a hold of him/her. AT&T is trying to cancel his/her account so that I can get service. The company isn’t 100% sure this is possible, which is just baffling. If this doesn’t pan out, I’m going to get the second-best tier of Internet offered by Time Warner Cable, but skipping on television service. The crazy part is that the TWC Internet price is almost as much as the top-tier U-Verse Internet service + the second-tier TV service + HBO.

      1. I have to get UVerse for at least the next 2 years at my new house. We can compare the services :)

        My house won’t finish being built until November though. At least I can get the 24/4 service there.

        I guess ATT doesn’t want to cancel the contract? That makes no sense to just keep the account “active” and tell you no. Can you just plug in to their equipment at least?

      2. Like I said, it’s baffling. I’m ready to sign a one-year agreement with them and they don’t want to take my money. Oddly, I can only find one phone jack in the place. A lot of stuff was updated, so I’m not sure what the deal is with that. I have a feeling that I’m going to end up with TWC’s 30/5 plan or $75 a month. *sigh*

  6. After 10+ days of waiting and 20+ phones calls, my AT&T U-Verse installation appointment is finally set. While the CSRs were generally pleasant, I was told different things by different reps and given inconsistent messages…just like the Microsoft Xbox One press conference. *zing*

    Hopefully the installation is smooth. On the Internet side, I’ve been using my Nexus 4 for tethering through T-Mobile. The Verizon LTE signal at my place is poor, which makes using my iPhone 5 for tethering a frustrating experience. On the TV side, I’ll be happy to have service in time for the Game of Thrones finale and the NBA finals. May the old and new telephone gods watch over my installation.

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