AT&T is keeping a promise it made to the Federal Communications Commission to make broadband more affordable by launching a $10 DSL service, available to new customers who sign a one-year contract.

In the negotiations to get approval for the merger of AT&T and BellSouth, the company agreed to make broadband more affordable, and this service honors that commitment, according to AT&T. The company’s critics are saying through Web blogs and postings that making the service available isn’t enough because AT&T isn’t promoting the new lower price, so most consumers don’t know about it.

A spokeswoman for AT&T said customers are made aware of the offering when they call in to order service and can view it on the Web as well.

“For customers across our 22-state region, the offer for $10 DSL, for qualifying customers, is viewable through www.att.com,” she said. “In the Southeast region, information is outlined under our plans offering term contracts, as seen on the residential broadband landing page. Additionally, information is available upon service qualification during the ordering process. For customers in the 13-state region, the option to order DSL at the $10 price is presented during the service qualification process to determine customer eligibility.”

Customers are eligible if they’ve never had broadband service from AT&T previously, and agreed to the one-year commitment.