AT&T issues official shutdown warning for CallVantage VoIP service

AT&T CallVantage customers are getting an email warning that the telco is discontinuing its VoIP service this year. No surprise, since the company stopped selling the service to new customers in August 2008, but will AT&T come up with an alternative offering?

Customers within AT&T's service footprint are being asked to contact AT&T for alternative voice service, be it legacy wireline (probably not going to happen, given the continued decline in that service) or U-Verse voice over AT&T DSL. Out of region customers are being told that they have alternatives available with other service providers.

Depending on who is offering comment, the glass is half-empty or half-full. AT&T might have a new bring-your-own-broadband VoIP offering in the works later this year; after all, Verizon's Hub media phone is VoIP-powered and broadband agnostic. Network World thinks Vonage has an opportunity to pick up a "few more customers" with AT&T getting out of the untethered (this reporter's phrase) VoIP service arena.

For more:
- DSLReports.com hears the shutdown. Post [1]. . So does Network World. Notice [2].

Related articles
SPOTLIGHT: CallVantage Out, BYOB VoIP In? - FierceVoIP [3]
AT&T reportedly ends CallVantage sign-ups - FierceTelecom [4]
Verizon (Wireless) decloaks its VoIP Hub home handset - FierceVoIP [5]