Helping to spur additional competition, AT&T announced the availability of its U-verse service in parts of Corpus Christi, Texas and the communities of Springfield, Champaign, Danville and Decatur, all in central Illinois.

“Today’s launch of AT&T U-Verse reflects our commitment to make the investments necessary to bring consumers across central Illinois a new era of true video competition,” AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza said in a statement.

In Illinois, dissatisfied Comcast customers were tearing up one of the local newspaper’s message boards.  Here’s a sampling:

• Now maybe Comcast will get better service and lower their OUTRAGEOUS prices.
• Comcast: Can you hear the sound of competition and angry customers? Can’t wait to get a cable carrier that actually plays all of the available Cardinals’ games.
• Will they have it in Chatham? I will be ready to sign up to get rid of Comcast! What parts of Springfield will get U-Verse, and what parts will be left out in Comcast’s cold?
• I can’t wait to get rid of Commiecast.