Is Bundling Digital Services Better Than Shop And Compare?
The latest trend in home entertainment and communications from the big media and telcom companies is to bundle two or more services into a single discounted 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? I’ve been covering digital products and services for years and in this article I’m going to look at these package deals and find out if going to one company for all your TV, broadband, and phone needs is the best or if shopping around is the way to go.
None of us want to turn over all our essential services to one individual company. It just doesn’t feel right for some reason. Can’t they suddenly raise the rate and I’ll be locked into a contract I can’t get out of? Will I be tied to special equipment or hardware that I’ll be charged for or stuck with if I change companies? 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. Let’s look at each point individually starting with the concern about what happens when a special offer ends. I’ve found that the level of competition is so great among these companies rate hikes are few and far between. 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. Some cable companies, like Charter Communications, are currently giving users the chance to lock in rates for as long as two years if they agree to take a complete package deal.
As for hardware, it really depends on the company that you go with. For example, normally you will get a digital receiver for each TV in your house plus a modem if you decide you want broadband internet. Now if you’ve chosen a more expensive package then you are going to be getting a DVR which is able to pause and record live television. Fortunately you won’t be charged for using the equipment unless you actually have more than one of each device in the house. To find out the specifics, you will want to contact a provider in your area. If you do move, you’ll have to return the equipment to the providers local office in your town. Barring any major damage to the equipment you shouldn’t be charged any extra fees. No matter which company you go with however, the policies will pretty much be the same.
There are a several bundles and special deals available right now from the different companies. For instance, when satellite dishes were able to be mounted on the side of houses in the nineties, people clamored to get them. People realized that Satellite TV had more channels than cable and was even clearer with it’s all digital signal. To make it even better, satellite was normally much cheaper than cable. But in recent years satellite service from Dish Network and DirecTV has not changed very much. With the introduction of digital cable a few years ago, satellite is in a decline. Cable now has just as many digital and HD channels as satellite and doesn’t suffer for weather-related signal interruption. So far, the internet option from satellite is only viable for people who live too far out of the range of standard high speed internet services. As of late, some of the more popular phone companies have been able to offer digital television and internet along with phone in their packages using fiber-optic networks. One thing that you should know however, is that fiber-optin networks are only available in limited markets right now and even though a telecommunications company is offering these services, they are normally repackaging with another company. For instance, Verizon tends to package with DirecTV for it’s television service, meaning you will be stuck with a satellite service even though you’re going through a telco.
So where am I suggesting consumers spend their home entertainment and communications dollar? Right now I’m a big proponent of the bundle deals coming from the major cable providers. 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. And unlike the telco’s, you’re getting digital cable tv, broadband internet, and digital phone service all from one company that will support all three products. If you are only looking for one service, like digital television, then the competition between satellite, cable and the telcos is tighter. But when you get two or three services together you can’t beat the products and discounts cable providers offer. Take a look for yourself and compare the features of each major provider. Use this knowledge to find the very best television, broadband internet, and phone deal for you!
Anna Sussman presents consumers with Time Warner Cable TV reviews and deals. If you’re thinking about purchasing digital cable services check out Anna’s articles first.
categories: Time Warner Cable,Digital Cable,Cable TV,Cable Television