This is really only true in homes that have shitty installs. A good pair from the VRAD to the house, as well as a distance under 3000 feet and the right RG/modem, pretty much avoids all problems. Bonded pair installs at this time are only for customers beyond around 3200 feet from VRAD.
All that matters is a good last mile pair, and a good tech install. I'll say this though, compared to Comcast, ATT net speeds and on demand are crap. It's cheaper though so you get what you pay for.
/OT
When I refer to bonded pairs, I am referring to their long promised and allegedly(atleast in DFW) soon to be available bandwidth update, with 24/3 going to 30/3 and a higher 45/5 offered. With later updates(with the us of vectoring) to 75/10. All while most of their competitors already offer over 100+/15+ and can expand with even faster speeds, while AT&T is going to max out their capabilities on their copper last mile at about ~100/25 if they ever even get that far.
As for being cheaper its marginally cheaper than FIOS, but fios is way faster, 75/35 vs 24/3, and that is not taking into account Uverse's IPTV bandwidth usage which can drop 24/3 to as low as 6mbps. That said if you also have AT&T wireless Uverse can be substantially cheaper.
I really wish Google would make a shot across the bow of Verizon by rolling out Google Fiber in a market that has FiOS. Verizon execs don't believe they will, just like they don't think their is a demand for 1Gbps internet. If Google came to a FiOS area, Verizon would have to match Google or lose customers. Thus it would drive down prices while increasing bandwidth.