Larry Bisson's Blog

The current communications and home entertainment fad from the major communications and media businesses is bundling two or more services into one discount package. This trend started with cable companies like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter and Cox and moved to national phone carriers who now offer TV and broadband in select areas on top of traditional phone service. But are these just marketing ploy's to get all your business or does bundling television, internet, and phone service really save you money? For awhile now I have been reporting on digital products and services and I am going to research the package deals to see if one company is able to provide your TV, broadband and phone needs or if you need to shop around.

No one wants to have one single company provide all our necessary services. It doesn't sit right, and especially for Americans, it feels unnatural. Can they instantly increase the price and I'll be stuck with I contract I am unable to get out of? If I happen to change companies, will I have to pay for and keep any special equipment or hardware that I am sent. These are all normal concerns when you are shopping around for digital home services. After your special deal comes to an end what do you do next? Due to the high level of competition in this industry, rates are rarely raised. In fact, the drive to keep customers is so great that even when promos or special deals end, very often existing customers can extend their offer or move to a new promotion. It just might take a simple phone call from you to get the latest deal. A few cable businesses, such as Charter Communications, now provide consumers the opportunity for locking in prices for up to 2 years if they purchase cable TV, high speed internet, and digital phone digital package. The question of what happens to the hardware a service provider gives you comes down to the individual business an their policies. The kind of equipment you'll obtain from the company you go with is typically a digital TV receiver and broadband modem if you purchase Internet. It's possible you may have a DVR - digital video recorder - as well if you've ordered a higher tier package. Generally, though, most companies are not going to charge you any unexpected fees for the normal use of their equipment. You might have to pay a tiny monthly fee for more digital receivers or a monthly rental fee for a broadband modem if you do not buy one yourself. Get a hold of the digital providers in your locality to find out their actual rules. When you move or change service providers, it is your responsibility to return any hardware to the local provider's office. Assuming the equipment is not lost or damaged, you probably will not have to pay anything additional. Therefore, there's no reason for consumers to reject a bundle price because they are concerned about the equipment. Every digital provider has essentially the same policies about hardware costs and how to return them. These rules don't change not matter how many services you purchase.

Let's examine the bundles you can now order from the major digital service players. Satellite become popular again in the 90s when they installed small dishes that delivered higher quality than cable. Additionally, Satellite television had more complete programming than cable for a generally lower price. But in recent years the satellite industry has remained stagnant. Dish and DirecTV are having trouble competing because they've pushed satellite technology as far as they can. Satellite TV prices are competitive, satellite broadband not a good option unless you have no other choice and there is no voice offering. Lately, companies that cover the entire country (AT&T, Qwest, Verizon) are offering deals on digital TV, high-speed Internet, and home and cell phone deals. This happens through a limited fiber-optic network available mainly in cities and by partnering with satellite and broadband providers in order to offer internet and TV. Although it's got the price point and quality, right now I am not suggesting customers go with a telco business for all 3 digital services. Since they are working with other companies in order to provide TV or broadband services, you are only getting the same product except now more people are involved so there are more places where things can go wrong. If one of the businesses involved with the telco decides to bail on the contract then you have a lot of problems to face.

So where am I recommending customers spend their money for entertainment and communications? Currently I am a huge fan of the bundle options that are offered by many of the large cable companies. Cable companies today offer a more complete digital and HD programming lineup that matches and often beats what Dish and DirecTV offers. You can get awesome add-ons including DVR boxes that the satellite industry is just starting to bring to it's customers. With a cable bundle package you will only have to deal with one company if there are problems and you need support. If want digital TV only, however, competition among cable, telcos, as satellite is more intense and it might pay to shop around. With bundled services though, you can't beat the savings you get from the cable industry. Take a look for yourself and compare the features of each major provider. If you do this you can find the best digital TV, high speed internet and telephone offer to suit your needs and your budget.

 

 

Find the Best Comcast Cable TV Offers here! 

 

 

comcast,comcast digital cable tv,comcastcable,comcast internet,comcast phone,high speed internet,broadband internet,cable tv,hd,movies,on-demand,comcast cable tv deals, comcast phone, comcast triple play deals, comcast bundle specials, cable HDTV

Bundling services is popular in home entertainment and communications today. This trend started with cable companies like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter and Cox and moved to national phone carriers who now offer TV and broadband in select areas on top of traditional phone service. Does purchasing bundled TV, internet and phone services truly help you spend less money? This article will compare and contrast the digital products that the leading companies provide their customers with and find out who offers the best deal.

No one wants to have one single company provide all our necessary services. It just doesn't feel right for some reason. We wonder if the cable or telco provider will increase the amount I have to pay without warning and I'ill be obligated to pay it no matter what because I signed a contract? Do I have to sign a contract to pay for their equipment or pay fees if I switch providers? These are all valid concerns when you're looking at all the competing offers and promotions you're inundated with from cable, satellite and telco providers. Why don't we review each of the points separately beginning with the issue about what actually takes place once the discount offer is no longer available. The level of competition is so cut throat between these companies rates are seldom raised. In fact, the drive to keep customers is so great that even when promos or special deals end, very often existing customers can extend their offer or move to a new promotion. It just might take a simple phone call from you to get the latest deal. A few cable businesses, such as Charter Communications, now provide consumers the opportunity for locking in prices for up to 2 years if they purchase cable TV, high speed internet, and digital phone digital package. The question of what happens to the hardware a service provider gives you comes down to the individual business an their policies. Usually all you get from a provider is a digital receiver for each television in your house and a broadband modem if you order high speed Internet. It is likely you might have a digital video recorder (DVR) as well if you ordered a top tier digital TV package. Usually, companies will not charge you surprise fees for using their equipment unless it's lost or severely damaged. You may be charged a small monthly fee for additional digital receivers or a monthly broadband modem rental fee if you don't purchase one of your own. Get a hold of the digital providers in your locality to find out their actual rules. If you change address or switch providers you're generally only responsible for giving the equipment back to the office of the local company. Assuming the equipment is not lost or damaged, you probably will not have to pay anything additional. Therefore, there's no reason for consumers to reject a bundle price because they are concerned about the equipment. Every digital company has basically the same rules and regulations about equipment fees and how to return them.

Now lets look at the bundles you can currently get from the major players in the digital services space. Satellite become popular again in the 90s when they installed small dishes that delivered higher quality than cable. Besides generally speaking being less expensive, until the last few years satellite TV offered a greater variety of channels than cable did. For the past ten years or so satellite TV hasn't changed much at all. Restricted by technological limitations, satellite companies like DirectTV and Dish are fighting to compete in the digital revolution currently going on in cable and telecommunications field. Even though television prices are still very competitive, satellite has a poor Internet option that's only useful to homes in very rural areas and no phone service option. Lately, telco companies including AT&T, Qwest, and Verizon now offer digital TV, broadband, and telephone bundles. This happens through a limited fiber-optic network available mainly in cities and by partnering with satellite and broadband providers in order to offer internet and TV. Although it's got the price point and quality, right now I am not suggesting customers go with a telco business for all 3 digital services. Since they are working with other companies in order to provide TV or broadband services, you are only getting the same product except now more people are involved so there are more places where things can go wrong. Plus, if one of these partners wants to change pricing terms or pull out of the deal with your telco where does that leave you?

So what company do I think customers should get their cable and broadband from? The bundled service packages that cable companies are offering can save you some money. Today's cable companies offer a complete digital and HD programming lineup that matches and often beats what Dish and DirecTV offer. Plus, you can get great add-ons like DVR boxes and on demand service that satellite is only beginning to deliver. Cable is currently superior because you're getting digital cable TV, broadband internet and digital phone from one source that will support you in all three services. However, for those who are just in the market for television service it might pay to consider satellite or teco because the competition is higher. However, when you order 2 or even 3 services at the same time it is difficult to beat the products and deals the cable companies can give you. Take a look for yourself and compare the features of each major provider. Use this information to locate the best value in TV, broadband internet, and telephone bargains available to you.

 

Find the Best Comcast Cable TV, High Speed Internet and PhoneOffers here! 

 

 

comcast,comcast digital cable tv,comcastcable,comcast internet,comcast phone,high speed internet,broadband internet,cable tv,hd,movies,on-demand,comcast cable tv deals, comcast phone, comcast triple play deals, comcast bundle specials, cable HDTV