AT&T-DirecTV Merger Impacts Smartphones & Tablets: What You Need to Know, U-Verse Subscriber Contracts, Plan Prices, Wireless Phone and HD/DVR Services

AT&T announced Monday the first-ever nationwide bundle that gives customers the option to combine their wireless phone and TV services in one bill.

According to the AT&T Newsroom, the package starts at $200 which includes HD and DVR service for up to four TV receivers, unlimited talk and text for four wireless lines, and 10GB of shareable wireless data. Customers can save up to $600 the first 12 months after that prices will increase.

U-Verse customers must sign a one-year contract while new DirecTV customers must sign a two-year contract to take advantage of the bundle.

"Today is the first of many planned moves to enable our customers to enjoy a premium entertainment experience almost anywhere," said Brad Bentley, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, AT&T Entertainment and Internet Services, as quoted by CNN Money. 

Starting August 10, new DirecTV subscribers will have immediate access to programming on their smartphones and TVs. Customers can watch DirecTV directly from their smartphones or tablets just by setting up an app that AT&T representatives can help with.

DirecTV and U-Verse customers can receive a $300 bill credit when they switch to AT&T wireless service from another wireless provider. These customers receive the credit when they buy a smartphone on AT&T Next and trade in an eligible smartphone.

AT&T Newsroom says the All in One plan is available in 21 states and customers can choose from different DirecTV packages. The DirecTV Select or U-verse U-Family is $50 per month, Xtra or U-verse U-200 is $70 per month, Ultimate or U-verse U-300 is $75 per month, and Premiere or U-verse U-450 is $125 per month.

Consumers who want wireless service with high-speed home internet and TV but are not within the 21 states can do so starting at $30 per month for 6 Mbps service. For $40 consumers get 24 Mbps while $50 covers between 45 and 75 Mbps.

"AT&T's All in One Plan is only the carrier's initial salvo in a new era of nationwide bundled TV and wireless services in the U.S.," said Tammy Parker, senior analyst at Current Analysis, as quoted by The Christian Science Monitor. 

According to USA Today DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket is not in the package but it's available to new subscribers at no extra cost during the first year. 

CNN Money reported that in May 2014 AT&T and DirecTV agreed to merge but it took more than a year for the government's approval. Finally on July 24, AT&T acquired DirecTV for $49 billion in hopes of attracting new customers.

According to USA Today there are rumors that Dish is in merger talks with T-Mobile.