In an effort to sweeten its cable offerings to
small and medium-size businesses, AT&T’s Business Solutions unit announced
it is now offering its U-verse High Speed Internet Max 18 service for small
businesses over the AT&T U-verse platform. The service will give SMBs
Internet access at speeds up to 18 megabits per second.
AT&T says the service is available in more than 70 U.S.
markets, and claims U-verse High Speed Internet Business Edition, which uses a
fiber-based IP infrastructure to deliver speedy wired and wireless Internet
connectivity, can serve up to 50 Internet user connections in the customer's
business, depending on the applications needed.
The company has been under fire from cable companies such as Verizon, which has
had its FiOS for small business network up and running for nearly three years.
Comcast rolled out Comcast Business Class, its triple-play bundle for SMBs
throughout the Northeast, earlier this year and aggressively targeted midmarket
companies with a concentrated TV ad campaign. While smaller than the top-tier
cable companies, Herndon, Va.-based RCN
announced a choice of four cable TV, phone and high-speed Internet packages
aimed at small businesses.
AT&T is offering several speed tiers for Business U-verse, ranging from the
low end, at $40 a month, up to $85 a month when bundled with wired or wireless
voice services. In an effort to lure SMB owners immediately, AT&T says it
is waiving installation charges for AT&T Business U-verse. Prices for
static IP address packages range from $15 to $40 per month, and the company
offers these packages to customers in blocks ranging from eight addresses to
128 addresses.
Small-business owners using Business U-verse will also have the option of
selecting static IP addresses as part of their service, enabling SMBs to host
their own domain for Web or e-mail hosting purposes. AT&T offers a variety
of static IP plans to small businesses, allowing them to customize their
package to meet their business needs.
Along with its high-speed Internet access and static IP address offerings,
AT&T is offering SMBs alluring features such as free unlimited access to
the company's nationwide Wi-Fi network, comprising 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots
nationwide, and free wireless office networking, allowing users to receive and
send large data files, view streaming video, and access other high-bandwidth
applications on wireless devices. Also included is e-mail storage and security
features such as anti-spyware and anti-virus software, a pop-up blocker, and SpamGuard
Plus.
"Our new Max 18 package provides outstanding connectivity at a great price
and offers small businesses more ways to stay connected at faster speeds than
ever before," AT&T’s vice president of enterprise network services, S.
Dale McHenry, said in a statement. "This new service is the latest example
of our commitment to delivering more choices and innovative services, such as
static IP addresses, to our small business customers."
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Midmarket News & Reviews 
