Newly Expanded AT&T Announces New Bundle Promotion

DirecTV and U-Verse customers can receive a $300 bill credit when they switch to AT&T wireless service from another wireless provider. In addition to the TV service, you’ll be able to access your DirecTV service through an app on compatible smartphones. “For customers this will let them get new services that will blend television, Internet, wireless, telephone and blend it all with [AT&T’s] home automation platform”.

AT&T announced Monday the first-ever nationwide bundle that gives customers the option to combine their wireless phone and TV services in one bill.

Brad Bentley, EVP and chief marketing officer of AT&T Entertainment and Internet Services, called the announcement “the first of many planned moves”.

“AT&T is wasting no time extending the benefits of its DirecTV acquisition to consumers”, said Roger Entner, principal analyst at Recon Analytics. It will be interesting to see what path the newly combined companies take from here on out and how AT&T is able to leverage the spectrum owned and entertainment services offered by the largest satellite provider in the country. He wouldn’t provide details on those plans.

Other than the $10-a-month discount, the promised savings aren’t unusual. Apart from this, AT&T has indexed its TV packages for U-Verse and DirecTV, ranging from $50-125. All these will cost $200 a month in the first year.

Notably, DIRECTV enjoys strong presence in both the U.S. and Latin America which will not only help the company attract customers but will also drive its revenues higher in the coming quarters. AT&T claims that this bundle will save customers up to $600 a year while providing an unparalleled experience.

In the wireless industry, deals have become routine as carriers fight for each other’s customers, given that most Americans already have cellphones. Customers can add wireless services with 10 GB of shareable data and unlimited talk and text for four phone lines for $160 per month. Specific channels will differ, though, and a package of football games called Sunday Ticket will be available on DirecTV only because of the nature of DirecTV’s deals with the NFL. Just last week, T-Mobile said customers will keep the $15 monthly price for leasing an iPhone 6 and $19 for a 6 Plus if Apple releases new models, possibly in September.

“This rapid introduction of new TV and wireless bundles reassures regulators that their approval of the acquisition will enhance consumer choice and enable AT&T to bring to market competitive multi-screen video services that are available nationwide and multi-play packages in an expanding footprint”, said Parker.