I've heard satellite is slow and very expensive. I've had two issues with my AT&T line, but they have always been helpful in fixing it. Last time they found the wiring in the box in the back yard had corroded. People could call me, but I couldn't call out. Also had a time where my phone wouldn't work but I could connect on the internet on DSL. One repair guy said that's impossible. But they did something to get it working again after that.

As for your local guys, they should offer the same customer service that any other local office would. Only issue would be if they trouble shooted it and they think it is something with the wiring in your house. Once they decide it's on your end, they usually won't service anything from their panel to anything inside your home unless you pay extra for it. ATT generally isn't responsible for the wiring done past their patch panels inside homes.