U-Verse Modem - Rent or Buy Options?

I had the same problems with ATT and the rip off forced to lease modem issues. What I did was go via another company that offers Uverse under another name "Truestream" the company is called DSLextreme and I've never looked back, bought my own modem as well, saved the $7 a month fee. ATT came and installed it all too, that proves its Uverse and the installer also said it was Uverse sold under another name. Do yourself a favor and dump ATT

What is an RG?

PatrickHH

New Modem/Gateway Charge!

New (for me) Modem/Gateway Charge:

I've been w/ATT forever for an ISP - remember ATT Worldnet?

Started DSL with ATT High Speed DSL and then went with uVerse High Speed Internet Max. My first uVerse billing was in 3/2011.

I have never had a modem/gateway charge show up on a statement until this month (10/9/2017)

I had one non functioning gateway replaced back in 2015 and another early this month. 

Now on this billing, a $7 Internet Equipment fee shows up.

I called ATT and was told ;that my "promotion" had ended. She said that I had been notified but I told her that I searched my billing stmts for past yr (and beyond) and there was no such notice. Same for any txt msg to phone and via a Customer Service Document on my ATT account page. She checked w supervisor and said I had been notified but could mot point me to any such notification.

ATT seems to change terms of service at their will.

I think I've heard of Truestream; so I'm going to check further to see if that's available in my area.  

Over the last several months, I have noticed that Dish Network has been advertising blazing internet speeds at lower costs that what I am currently paying for Uverse.  I know that they have been offering internet service for awhile; but the advertising wasn't as competitive as it is now.  Since I already have Dish satellite service, I plan to start researching reviews of their internet service -- focusing on reviews from the last year.  Prior to the more recent advertising, I think they were more geared toward offering service in areas that didn't have other options for internet service.  

Is this [no-choice-but-rental] still the only option for internet?  Or has anything changed with the recent name change to AT&T Internet?  Thank you.

@wdbferever   Here's a link to the TERMS OF SERVICE and I've bolded the parts you are unclear on.  (please note:  Everyone who has ATT Internet is bound by the same TOS, no exceptions)

6. Payment

You agree to pay in full each month: (1) the monthly fee specified when you ordered your Service; (2) any charge(s) for equipment required for your Service; (3) activation fees, connection and/or installation charges, if any; (4) late fees, Service Restoral Fees, and other applicable Service charges; and (4) any applicable taxes, recovery fees and surcharges that AT&T pays to municipalities and other governmental entities and may pass on to you. For a list of additional fees that could apply to the Service, please see the applicable Fee Schedules, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Schedule 2:

If you have not purchased Internet Equipment from AT&T or if previously purchased Internet Equipment is beyond the one-year (1-year) warranty period (from date of installation) and requires replacement, then you agree to pay a monthly equipment fee for the Internet Equipment, as part of your purchase of or continued use of the Service and/or other AT&T services. Equipment fees and purchase options depend on the AT&T Services and/or rate plans you order and the installation options you choose.

You must accept this Agreement as a condition of receiving the Service.

You have to realize that AT&T has a room full of lawyers who write these legal Terms of Service and make sure everything is covered.