AT&T U-verse TV Becomes One of First Providers to Receive Energy Star Certification for Set-Top Boxes

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
U-verse logo

100 Percent of U-verse TV Receivers Meet or Exceed ENERGY STAR Efficiency Requirements

DALLAS, Texas — AT&T (NYSE:T) U-verse operating companies today announced that AT&T U-verseSM TV is one of the first video service providers to receive certification for its set-top boxes under the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program for video providers.

With the ENERGY STAR certification, new AT&T U-verse TV customers will begin to receive Motorola and Cisco receivers that feature the ENERGY STAR label. All deployed U-verse TV receivers — including those in customers’ homes today without the ENERGY STAR label — already exceed the efficiency requirements.

“Today’s consumers are looking for ways to save on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint, and we’re giving them another opportunity to do that with U-verse TV,” said G.W. Shaw, executive director of AT&T U-verse marketing. “We’re committed to helping our customers support environmentally responsible efforts with more efficient products and services like the ENERGY STAR efficient set-top box.”

AT&T U-verse TV was the first video service provider to commit to deploying set-top boxes that meet the stringent ENERGY STAR standards in May 2008. Because of the inherent benefits of advanced Internet Protocol (IP) technology, U-verse TV customers IP-based set-top boxes are more energy-efficient than other digital set-top boxes. AT&T U-verse receivers conform to energy efficiency requirements that are 36 percent more stringent than cable set-top box requirements. The improved efficiency is achieved, in part, because IP receivers don’t have tuners.

“EPA, thru the ENERGY STAR program, helps consumers identify energy-smart products to help our environment,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “We’re pleased to be working with AT&T on energy-efficient set-top boxes. These boxes help consumers reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and costs.”

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy that sets strict energy-efficiency specifications and promotes qualified products to help American consumers reduce their carbon footprint and save money.