What Is AT&T U-verse Voice?

by John Costa, Demand Media

AT&T; U-verse Voice is a voice communication service offered by AT&T; in the United States. AT&T; U-verse uses fiber optic technology and computer networking to offer customers digital television, high-speed Internet and digital home phone service. The U-verse Voice service uses Voice over Internet Protocol to convert a user's voice into data, with calls being sent and received over a high-speed Internet connection.

Plans

As of May 2011, there are two plans available with AT&T; U-verse Voice. The AT&T; U-verse Voice Unlimited plan offers customers unlimited calling within the United States and calls to Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Marianas. With AT&T; U-verse Voice 250, subscribers are provided 250 minutes each month for calling within the United States and calls to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Marianas. Fees are charged for each additional minute beyond the monthly allowance.

Standard Features

Subscribers have access to several traditional calling features. Plans include access to call blocking, call forwarding, call waiting, three-way calling and caller ID. Advanced features offered include anonymous call rejection, busy call forwarding, call history, call screening, call transfer, caller ID blocking, directory assistance blocking, do not disturb, and no answer call forwarding. Users also have access to AT&T;'s Locate Me feature, whereby calls to a home phone number and up to four other phones, including wireless devices, ring simultaneously on each registered device.

Bundles

AT&T; U-verse Voice can be combined with other U-verse services, including television and Internet plans. Bundling services provide customers with additional features that enhance the AT&T; U-verse Voice service. When bundled with AT&T; U-verse TV services, Voice subscribers can see incoming phone numbers and message waiting alerts on a television screen. Users can also select a phone number or view their call history on a computer or television, as well as manage voicemail from a computer.

Equipment

Regular touch-tone telephones can be used with AT&T; U-verse Voice. Users also can keep their existing phone number when subscribing to the service, or they can select a new number. Similar to other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, AT&T; U-verse Voice requires electrical power to operate. Depending on the location, subscribers to the service receive either a Residential Gateway Battery Backup Unit or an Intelligent Network Interface Device (iNID) Power Supply Unit.

References

  • AT&T;: What is U-verse?
  • AT&T;: AT&T; U-verse Voice Plans
  • AT&T;: AT&T; U-verse Voice
  • AT&T;: AT&T; U-verse Battery Backup

Resources

  • AT&T;: U-Verse Shop
  • AT&T;: Check Availability

About the Author

John Costa covers travel, public policy and consumer issues for various online publications. He has also worked as a government adviser since 2005, developing policies and programs. Costa holds a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Toronto, as well as an M.A. in comparative politics from the University of York in England.