TV/internet service question

[Invader3K]

I know there's been some threads discussing satellite TV and stuff in the past, but I couldn't find any, so if this goes somewhere else, feel free to move.

 

Anyway, as many chat room frequenters know, I currently subscribe to Charter for cable/high speed internet/and phone. Yes, we have a regular ol' landline. The reason for this is because I need to send and receive faxes for business. My wife also likes the security of it (but it's not like we don't both have cell phones already...). We currently get a channel lineup with a decent amount of HD, DVR service (no HBOs or other premiums, though), and quite a few extra digital channels. Our internet is 10 Mbps (quite fast).

 

Anyway, the reason for this post is we already pay a pretty penny for all these services...about $165.00 after all the taxes and fees. I just got a notice in the mail stating that they will be raising prices in December. Our bill will be going up about $10.00/mo. That just seems way too high, given the fact that we don't even get any premium channels, and don't use the phone line that much.

 

Other than the price, I don't have any real beef with them. Service has been reliable, and they've added a decent amount of HD recently (including MLB Network in HD).

 

So, what should I do? Stick with them? Look at alternatives (AT&T still does not offer U-Verse in this area)? Call and complain and threaten to quit? One of my priorities is continuing to get basically every Brewers game, especially all the HD ones (it's 2009, after all). Thanks.

[1992casey]

DSL is going to be slower than 10 Mbps, and satellite is going to be even slower than that, so that's something to consider. (Satellite Internet is also pricey, and it's rare that someone chooses it when they have another broadband option available.)

 

For the phone, you're not really getting the security of a landline via Charter. VOIP requires your internet to be functional. A traditional landline will work despite the fact that either the Internet or electricity happen to be out. If you're lucky, you might have competing local companies in your area.

 

For TV progrmming, I don't believe that any of the services other than cable offer FSN-WI full time. But you will get all the games. DISH and U-Verse don't offer MLB Network, though.

 

If it helps, I believe I pay about $60 per month for landline with caller ID and 3 Mbps DSL from TDS and about $70 per month for DirecTV Total Choice Plus (which gets you basically all non-premium channels).

[Paul77]

I'm at $78 for ATT Uverse, the HD service, HBO/HBO on demand and 6Mbps DSL. I was pleasantly surprised to find that ATT Uverse does carry FSN-WI full time (the first time I've ever had it). I had DirecTv for 12 years and loved the service, but at this price - locked for a year -, I couldn't pass Uverse up. There is NO MLB network, which is disappointing, and I don't see them adding it soon. Also, there is no AMC HD for some reason.

 

I do pay $90 for 3 cell phones and I no longer have a land line.

 

Also, one more thing about DirecTv. With only one exception, I never had a bad experience with DirecTv. Even calling to cancel the service, they were awesome. There was no pressure by the CSR to get me change my mind. She just asked why and said, "Ok, I hope you enjoy ATT but I'm going to send you an email with a number in it. If you change your mind anytime in the next 6 months, we'll turn you back on and waive all of the activation fees."

[Viva La Grinch]

How is the ATT 6Mbps DSL quality? I noticed that they were running a stand alone special for it, and it would be half what I am paying for Charter internet. I am concerned since I do a bunch of online gaming, and don't want any drops.

[craigharmann]

Also, one more thing about DirecTv. With only one exception, I never had a bad experience with DirecTv.

Seconded. Not trying to redirect, but we had downgraded our plan to the family plan, mainly because it was cheaper. We missed lots of channels, and I saw that Dish network was offering a couple of specials. I called DirecTV and said we're thinking about switching, and the rep asked what channels we wanted, and all but one, they had in a super-secret plan. Of course we lost one channel we really like (Food Network), but that's OK. It's actually cheaper than the family plan for one year. Not too shabby!

[dadofandrew]

We had the Charter bundle for ages at $99-109. When that expired and they would not match it, my wife told them to drop the phone. We're now back at $100 or so and just using cell phones.

[Paul77]

How is the ATT 6Mbps DSL quality? I noticed that they were running a stand alone special for it, and it would be half what I am paying for Charter internet. I am concerned since I do a bunch of online gaming, and don't want any drops.

I don't do any online gaming, so I might not be much help to you, but ..... I had 3mbps from ATT for years, then upgraged when we got Uverse. I watch movies online (via netflix or Hulu) and my son plays his xbox online at the same time and I've got no complaints.

[Invader3K]

We do have AT&T phone service available in our area. Maybe that is one idea...just drop the phone service from Charter and get a cheap AT&T package.

[Nottso]

I had exactly what you have, and kept Charter for phone and internet while switching the tv to Dish Network. Ended up saving quite a bit wqith their introductory offer, and the tv is much better. With cable, when they'd pan across a football field, I'd get diagonal lines across all the yardlines. Or during a race, if the camera followed a car or 2 along the straightaway, I'd get diagonal lines in places on the screen. It was awful. With Dish, I don't get those lines, and they have a ton more HD stuff, as well as some hd in true 1080p. The picture I get with Dish looks like the picture the tv got in the store. It's phenomenal. The only downfall is that Dish doesn't carry the MLB Network yet.

 

I probably sound like a commercial for Dish, but I have no affiliation with them whatsoever, other than being an extremely satisfied customer. I had DirecTV in the past also, but not with a good tv set. It may or may not be as good.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I had exactly what you have, and kept Charter for phone and internet while switching the tv to Dish Network. Ended up saving quite a bit wqith their introductory offer, and the tv is much better. With cable, when they'd pan across a football field, I'd get diagonal lines across all the yardlines. Or during a race, if the camera followed a car or 2 along the straightaway, I'd get diagonal lines in places on the screen. It was awful. With Dish, I don't get those lines, and they have a ton more HD stuff, as well as some hd in true 1080p. The picture I get with Dish looks like the picture the tv got in the store. It's phenomenal. The only downfall is that Dish doesn't carry the MLB Network yet.

 

I probably sound like a commercial for Dish, but I have no affiliation with them whatsoever, other than being an extremely satisfied customer. I had DirecTV in the past also, but not with a good tv set. It may or may not be as good.

I'm indirectly affiliated with DISH, and their customer service is something awful. As long as you don't have any technical troubles, you'll be happy. I honestly hope you don't ever have to deal with them other than to send them a monthly check for their service.

[TheCrew07]

I've had Dish Network going on 4 years now. Within the last year, my DVR died on me. I received a replacement and it functioned for about 2 months then died. The 3rd DVR was dead out of the box, and now the 4th DVR has been working for 3 weeks. Being a computer guy I understand refurbished parts and was done being angry about their spotty effectiveness years ago so I wasn't upset with Dish as they have a business to run, more so the people who do the repair work. When I called for the 4th DVR, I requested a new DVR instead of refurbished, still a got a refurbished unit, but this one appears to have been fixed properly so we'll see. I actually still have my original receiver, it's upstairs in the bedroom on an SD TV and still going strong.

 

Other than getting refurbished DVRs, I have no complaints, and since I added local HD channels and got the new dish that points at the newer HD satellite, I very rarely even lose my picture in weather anymore. If I do happen to lose my picture it's never longer than a minute or two after significant lightening overhead.

[Invader3K]

I think we may stick with what we have for now, at least until AT&T brings their TV service to our area. I've comparison shopped a bit and I don't think we can save too much money right now by switching to another provider, and keeping the channels and services we like.

 

Just wanted to note also that I noticed Charter seems to be carrying FSN's HD feed full time now, which is kind of nice (formerly they only carried the HD games, mainly). They're currently showing a Brewers/Indians game from earlier this season.

[dayzedcrewfan]

I've said it a billion times on here and will say it again. I absolutely love Directv. I have had charter and dish network in the past and had nothing but problems with the feed adn customer service. I have had Directv now for almost 3 yeras and love it. Not going to ramble but there are no complaints from me.