Comcast’s Triple Play
Years ago, I got rid of my landline because, well…who needs one?
Sure lots of people have them still, but it’s well known that telephone operators are losing revenue to mobile operators because of the popularity of cell phones. Many people have decided to drop the land lines because they are a) always on the run, b) don’t want to pay extra for a phone they don’t use and c) love their cell phones.
Well, I decided to get a phone but through my cable provider Comcast. I called them up yesterday to see if I could get a lower rate on my cable bill, and they came back with a great offer of $159/month for a triple play package–voice, data and cable. That comes with all the premium channels (Starz, HBO, Showtime, Skinemax Cinemax and more), plus unlimited local and long distance calls.
I’ve used VOIP years ago when it was kind of crappy quality, but now I’m guessing that it’s much better.
Cable operators are also under pressure to get more revenue and keep customers. Telephone companies like AT&T and Verizon are starting to offer TV (U-Verse and FiOS TV, respectively) and they already have voice and data (DSL). So telcos are now competing with cable companies. And vice versa.
Overall, it’s great for consumers. We get cheap triple or quad-play packages. And they get to keep me as a customer for another month.
At least until I get a better offer from someone else.
Anyway, I recommend calling your local broadband or TV provider and negotiate for a lower rate. Shop around, find out what kind of prices and offers are being advertised, and chances are you’ll get a much lower rate and maybe some new services or channels. Good luck!
Why shill for the cable companies?
Did you know that the cable and telecommunications providers defraud local governments of millions, perhaps billions of dollars through “lost” franchise fees? And this doesn’t even count massive telecommuications theft (stealing public right of way and associated costs - billions) through lobbying and legislative deception - see DIVCA and recent pro-corporate, anti-consumer rulings by the Bush-Cheney FCC. Cable fees have outpaced inflation while operational budgets are slashed so the telecoms and cable companies can buy each other, consilidate, and pay massive interest to the banking industry, while passing these “costs” on to the consumers. Meanwhile, the banking frms own the cable proivders and are essentially paying themselves.
I’m really confused how/why a freelance analyst and researcher has chosen to blatantly shill for the telecoms in this way. And posting Comcast ads on your website? Seriously tacky.
If you want low-cost VOIP, seek some of the truly low-cost providers.
If you re a n00b, You could start with Skype if you just want some crappy corporate service - at least they charge per-use instead of monthly subscription.
Matthew:
As an independent research analyst I’m not beholden to any company or service, so I just call it as I see it.
As I made clear in my post, I’d be willing to go to another provider if I had a choice. If AT&T’s U-Verse or Verizon’s FiOS TV were available in my area, I would definitely take those. Right now, I only have one option: Comcast. And by taking the triple play bundle I was able to save lots of cash.
IPTV providers aren’t yet available everywhere (here in the U.S.) so they have a much harder time grabbing customers with triple or quad-play bundles.
I think you have an obvious beef with all cable companies, which makes everything you’re saying seem less credible. Do you work for an anit-cable lobby?