AT&T Doesn't Accept Electronic Payment Dallas Texas since electronic payment isn't accepted the payment is late Dallas Texas

I was zapped for a $5 late fee from AT&T even though the bill was paid on time from my Bank of America bill pay.
When I quizzed the bank why the payment was marked late they responed:

The payment method is determined automatically by our system. One of the main factors is the method by which payees prefer to receive payments. If a payment can be issued electronically, we attempt to do so because it is the most efficient method.

At this time AT&T (SBC-AR,KS,MO,OK,TX) does not accept electronic payments.
The bank is forced to mail the payment to them which takes forever compared to electronic payment.

I tried to respond to AT&T via the Web site but it doesn't offer any e-mail options. AT&T thinks I'm supposed hang on the line forever to even get a response from them.

I think this is just archaic this day in age not to be able to respond to a company that won't accept e-mail or electronic payment. It takes almost a week to pay my bill but all my other bills have already cleared and paid.

Thomas
Pasadena, Texas
U.S.A.