Just got this email stating that as of July 7th, AT&T will no longer offer CallVantage through their affiliate channel. To me, this is "codeword" for "we're no longer promoting CallVantage and expect AT&T to end CallVantage entirely in the near future." I've read about many affiliate programs that when they're ended, it's the end of the road for that product. Further, the emails explains, "We ask that you remove all of your promotion of the CallVantage product on/before July 7th and we recommend that you swap out your creative to another of our product offerings such as High Speed DSL or our latest flagship product, UVerse." Now tell me that doesn't hint towards the end of the road for CallVantage. So current CallVantage affiliates are supposed to promote High Speed DSL which has little to do with VoIP phone service? As for UVerse, that has it's own share of problems. Not to mention UVerse isn't offered everywhere yet. CallVantage, like Vonage, at least works everywhere there is a broadband connection. This is a sad day for the single-play VoIP broadband providers. If AT&T is jumping ship, what does this bode for Vonage, Packet8, and the other single-play providers?
Now this 'could' simply mean AT&T doesn't want to pay the referral fees from affiiates. But even that doesn't make sense since affiliates are the CHEAPEST way for broadband VoIP service providers to acquire new customers. Something's up. I wouldn't be surprised if AT&T drops CallVantage in 6 months or 12 months from now. My guess is 1 year from now (July 7th, 2009) due to their cancellation terms:
$29.99 disconnect fee applies if service or order for service is canceled or disconnected less than 1 year from the date you placed your order for service and Telephone Adapter (if obtained directly from AT&T without charge) is not returned to and received by AT&T within 16 business days of cancellation or disconnection.
They'll wait till like June 2009, announce they're dropping CallVantage, and anyone that jumps ship before the full year is out will have to shell out the $29.99 cancellation fee. Check out the email for yourself...
We want to make you aware that as of July 7th, we will no longer be offering our CallVantage product in our suite of products offered through the affiliate channel.
You will receive commissions on all residual sales that come through during the 60 day referral period that is offered through the program.
We ask that you remove all of your promotion of the CallVantage product on/before July 7th and we recommend that you swap out your creative to another of our product offerings such as High Speed DSL or our latest flagship product, UVerse.
We truly value your partnership and will continue to work with each and every one of you to ensure that we are giving our publishers what they need in order to be successful. Feel free to reach out to the team with any questions, concerns or comments you may have regarding the AT&T Consumer program and enjoy the summer!
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I'm so glad!!!!!!! Hip!! Hip!!! Hoorayyy!!!!!!!! That will continue to give our company better leverage in the VoIP market.
It Does hint towards the end of the road for CallVantage..however this surely means a lilttle less competition for single-play providers like vonage..AT&T CallVantage was meant as competition to other VoIP providers after its release in 2004.
Nice scoop, Tom!
I was thinking about switching to AT&T CallVantage, but you just warned me away. Uverse isn't available in my area yet so that isn't an option for me either.
Crap! I just signed up for AT&T Callvantage last month!
I like AT&T's advanced feature-set which many VoIP providers don't have. That includes call filtering and email forwarding of voicemail wav files rather than being forced to use the web tool. I can get my AT&T Callvantage voicemail on my AT&T iPhone, which also has its own voicemail system. Unified voicemail! Alas, my unified voicemail might be short lived.