ATandT Launches U-verse High Speed Internet for SMBs

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.

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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."