AT&T U-Verse Vs. Charter Cable

The digital cable service packages available from U-Verse include a range of options, from basic, local cable channels only to premium packages that include 410 channels or more. HD and 3-D access, DVR service and sports, Spanish-language or movie channels are all available as add-ons. The Wireless Gateway makes it possible to watch digitally recorded programs on any television in the house. Charter also offers a variety of plans, with optional access to HDTV, Spanish-language networks, sports and movie channels. Its On Demand service includes over 8,000 viewing options and its DVR allows you to record one show while watching another.

U-Verse's Wireless Gateway connects your Internet service to your cable service and allows you to remotely control your DVR as well as Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as networked digital cameras and printers. Service plans are available in several download speeds that range from 3 Mbps to 24 Mbps, and all packages come with 11 email accounts and an Internet security suite that includes anti-spyware and anti-virus utilities. Charter offers a choice between five Internet service plans with a range of download/upload speeds. At 1 Mbps/128 Kbps, the Lite plan is good for email and light surfing. The Express plan at 12 Mbps/1 Mbps is good for music and streaming video, the Plus plan at 18 Mbps/2 Mbps is adequate for online gaming and Facebook uploads, and the Max plan at 25 Mbps/3 Mbps is good for video conferencing and streaming HD video. The lightning-fast Ultra60 at 60 Mbps/5 Mbps is ideal for anything you could possibly want to do online.

U-Verse allows you to check voice mails remotely from a computer or smartphone, and choose which to listen to first. The Wireless Gateway is equipped with an emergency telephone backup battery. All nationwide calling plans include caller ID, call waiting and other standard features, and are available with 250 or unlimited anytime minutes. Charter's telephone service plans include features such as caller ID, call waiting, selective screening and custom rings for no extra cost. Nationwide calling plans are available, as well as a worldwide plan that allows you to talk to any one of 200 countries for up to 250 minutes a month.

AT&T; offers U-verse customers 24-hour live chat and phone tech support. Its website features an extensive customer support section that includes video tutorials. Charter's website also features a myriad of video tutorials, as well as diagrams, user guides, and 24-hour chat and phone tech support.