Bundling services is popular in home entertainment and communications today. The bundling craze began with cable providers like Time Warner, Cox, Comcast, and Charter, but now telco and satellite providers are bundling services as well. Is it better to purchase a bundle (for your television, internet and phone) or is it cheaper to get each one individually? For years, I have been covering digital services and products and in this piece I'll give you a look at these package deals and let you know whether going to one company for all of your broadband, television, and telephone requirements is ideal or whether shopping around is the best method.
No one wants to have one single company provide all our necessary services. It just doesn't feel right for some reason. Will I be locked into a contract and have to deal with rate hikes? Will I be tied to special equipment or hardware that I'll be charged for or stuck with if I change companies? When examining competing offers and promotions from digital providers these are all valid concerns. 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. 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. 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 far as your equipment responsibilities, each service provider determines their own 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'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. A small monthly fee may be charged for a monthly broadband modem rental fee if you do not purchase one of your own. You may also be charged a small fee for additional digital receivers for multiple TV's. Contact the providers in your area to find out their exact polices. When you move or change service providers, it is your responsibility to return any hardware to the local provider's office. Baring loss or damage, you shouldn't be charged anything. This is why I don't see any reason for consumers to not take advantage of a bundle offer over any apprehension about the equipment provided by the company. Each of the major digital companies have essentially the same policies regarding hardware fees and returns which don't change whether you're getting all your services from one company or several.
Now lets look at the bundles you can currently get from the major players in the digital services space. Satellite experienced a large resurgence in the nineties when they introduced compact dish's which could be setup on the side of a house and offered all digital channels that were a lot more clear than the signal offered by cable. At the time Satellite TV had more channels at a lower price than cable. Since then satellite 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. 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. Telcos entered this market by utilizing fast fiber-optic networks available in high population centers and through partnerships with satellite TV and broadband companies. I'm not ready to jump on the telecommunications bandwagon just yet. I think it's just too early. You are really just getting a repackaged product in most areas where fiber optic networks aren't accessible. 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?
You can find the best Comcast Cable Triple Play Offers here!
So what company do I think customers should get their cable and broadband from? Currently I'm an advocate of bundle deals available from major cable companies. Current cable providers deliver a total HD and digital programming lineup which matches and often tops what is provided by DirectTV and Dish. 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 want digital TV only, however, competition among cable, telcos, as satellite is more intense and it might pay to shop around. But when you get two or three services together you can't beat the products and discounts cable providers offer. You should evaluate for yourself every aspect of the main cable and satellite offers. Utilize this knowledge to locate the best broadband, television, and phone promotions.
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No one wants to have one single company provide all our necessary services. It just doesn't feel right for some reason. Will I be locked into a contract and have to deal with rate hikes? Will I be tied to special equipment or hardware that I'll be charged for or stuck with if I change companies? When examining competing offers and promotions from digital providers these are all valid concerns. 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. 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. 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 far as your equipment responsibilities, each service provider determines their own 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'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. A small monthly fee may be charged for a monthly broadband modem rental fee if you do not purchase one of your own. You may also be charged a small fee for additional digital receivers for multiple TV's. Contact the providers in your area to find out their exact polices. When you move or change service providers, it is your responsibility to return any hardware to the local provider's office. Baring loss or damage, you shouldn't be charged anything. This is why I don't see any reason for consumers to not take advantage of a bundle offer over any apprehension about the equipment provided by the company. Each of the major digital companies have essentially the same policies regarding hardware fees and returns which don't change whether you're getting all your services from one company or several.
Now lets look at the bundles you can currently get from the major players in the digital services space. Satellite experienced a large resurgence in the nineties when they introduced compact dish's which could be setup on the side of a house and offered all digital channels that were a lot more clear than the signal offered by cable. At the time Satellite TV had more channels at a lower price than cable. Since then satellite 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. 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. Telcos entered this market by utilizing fast fiber-optic networks available in high population centers and through partnerships with satellite TV and broadband companies. I'm not ready to jump on the telecommunications bandwagon just yet. I think it's just too early. You are really just getting a repackaged product in most areas where fiber optic networks aren't accessible. 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?
You can find the best Comcast Cable Triple Play Offers here!
So what company do I think customers should get their cable and broadband from? Currently I'm an advocate of bundle deals available from major cable companies. Current cable providers deliver a total HD and digital programming lineup which matches and often tops what is provided by DirectTV and Dish. 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 want digital TV only, however, competition among cable, telcos, as satellite is more intense and it might pay to shop around. But when you get two or three services together you can't beat the products and discounts cable providers offer. You should evaluate for yourself every aspect of the main cable and satellite offers. Utilize this knowledge to locate the best broadband, television, and phone promotions.
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