AT&T to replace U-verse batteries after several explosions

While AT&T was hoping for its U-verse service to catch fire, it was certainly not in this manner.

The communications company is recalling about 17,000 batteries due to a fire hazard. The batteries are housed in outdoor cabinets that are primarily used as a backup power source, which in some occasions either caught fire or exploded. AT&T said it will replace all of them as a safety precaution.

Two cases of fire and two explosions have occurred in the past year, according to AT&T. No injuries have been reported, although there is said to have been damage to surrounding property.

AT&T purchased the batteries from Avestor, which has since gone out of business. The incidents occurred between October 2006 and December 2007, according to press reports.

Part of AT&T's decision to replace all batteries is due to the fact that Avestor no longer exists, thus the company has no means of support for them. Avestor's batteries were no longer used after the first quarter of 2007.

Even with the battery issue, AT&T said the overall rollout of U-verse will not be adversely affected. Currently, the service counts a little over 126,000 customers.