AT&T also plans additional investments of approximately $400 million over the next few years to perform fiber network upgrades, increase broadband access and deploy IP-based television across Tennessee.
The announcement comes as welcome news to both consumers as well as adult entertainment website operators seeking a better user experience from high-bandwidth applications such as 2-way live chat and video on demand. Additional content distribution opportunities may also be presented by the launch of this new technology.
The move by the telecommunications giant comes as a result of a recently enacted state law designed to encourage competition in the video market; with AT&T filing an application to offer video services across the state on the day the law went into effect.
House Bill 1421, The Competitive Cable and Video Services Act of 2008, was signed into law by Gov. Bredesen after being passed in May by the Tennessee Legislature. It is directly credited by the company for its offering of the new services.
"The Legislature and the governor have created a competitive environment for video services, and consumers are the real winners," Gregg Morton, president of AT&T Tennessee, said. "We commend Gov. Bredesen, Speaker Naifeh, Lt. Gov. Ramsey, Comptroller Morgan, Chairman Curtis, Chairman Jones, Rep. McDaniel, Sen. Ketron, Sen. Jackson, Sen. Finney and all of the members of the Tennessee Legislature for their vision."
According to the company, HB 1421 opens a new world of communications and entertainment for the state's consumers and encourages investment in next-generation broadband network infrastructure technology.
"We look forward to bringing Tennesseans not only choice and competition but also advanced video, voice and Internet service technology," Morton said. "It will take time to enhance our network to offer these exceptional services, but we will move as quickly as possible to compete for Tennessee customers."
AT&T's plans include deployment of its U-verse Internet Protocol (IP)-based television service, which the company claims is one of the most robust and feature-rich services available today.
XBIZ recently reported on the company's offering of new networking policing tools.