Naively Surprised - now angry over cable in TV

[Rhonda West]

We moved to TV from New England. Having had horrible experience with Comcast we decided to try satellite service for television. After having both Direct and Dish and also being tired of the "small" print we decided to change to Spectrum. We have many friends who are REALLY happy with Spectrum. Well...imagine my surprise when, after 4 phone calls and three different sales people, I find out that we can NOT get Spectrum at our address because we are in Comcast's territory!!! Am I the only person living in TV that didn't know these two companies have a "no compete" policy which means I HAVE NO CHOICE!! I am REALLY angry about this. The satellite companies can compete until we are all nauseated but you only have ONE choice for cable and that is dictated by your street address!! I like to have a choice - I detest having the choice taken away!!

[asianthree]

We have had Comcast since 2010. Just left their office (great staff)with new cable boxes, ours were 2 years old, they recommend we update. No charge. Still cheaper than dish and when it rains I can still watch tv

[Dan9871]

The satellite companies can compete until we are all nauseated but you only have ONE choice for cable and that is dictated by your street !

I don't think it is a non-compete, spectrum just didn't put cables in your area. On my street both spectrum and comcast are available.

We would love to have ATT's U-Verse cable service but it is not available in our area. Not all cable companies have cables in all areas.

[Buffalo Jim]

At your prior residence up North did you have multiple cable companies to choose from ?

In most of the communities where I have resided the " cable franchise " for that community was awarded by the local government for a number of years . They picked a single provider due to a desire to minimize the number of delivery wires to be strung across their neighborhoods .

I lived in one community in Northern NJ back in the late 70`s where you had a choice of two different cable companies . However those two companies eventually merged .

Satellite and Cable are migrating to deliver solely via the Internet.
Within about 5 years the " Satellite " services will no longer come to you home to install a Dish Receiving Device they will be delivering everything via the Internet . Just guessing but it would be easy to predict that the " Hard Wire " services such as Comcast will move in that direction as well .
Ultimately competition will force them all to change their delivery model .

[SFSkol]

I believe it is an infrastructure issue, rather than a no-compete one. There are other non-cable alternatives available in the villages.

[justjim]

Not a fan of regulation, however, given the necessity of these services I am beginning to think they should be regulated the same as other utilities. Customer service among the different Cable/Internet companies is poor at best.

I believe Spectrum (formerly Brighthouse) is only available south of 466A.

[champion6]

We moved to TV from New England. Having had horrible experience with Comcast we decided to try satellite service for television. After having both Direct and Dish and also being tired of the "small" print we decided to change to Spectrum. We have many friends who are REALLY happy with Spectrum. Well...imagine my surprise when, after 4 phone calls and three different sales people, I find out that we can NOT get Spectrum at our address because we are in Comcast's territory!!! Am I the only person living in TV that didn't know these two companies have a "no compete" policy which means I HAVE NO CHOICE!! I am REALLY angry about this. The satellite companies can compete until we are all nauseated but you only have ONE choice for cable and that is dictated by your street address!! I like to have a choice - I detest having the choice taken away!!Having NO CHOICE doesn't sound right. Which village are you in?

[NotGolfer]

Not a fan of regulation, however, given the necessity of these services I am beginning to think they should be regulated the same as other utilities. Customer service among the different Cable/Internet companies is poor at best.

I believe Spectrum (formerly Brighthouse) is only available south of 466A.

This is true!!! We wanted to change, maybe a year or so ago and called Spectrum but were told they're not north of 466a. Perhaps one day they will be. We have Prism/CenturyLink and so far have liked it except for the raising of rates which brings us calling them back to re-adjust the costs, which is tiresome too. They'll give breaks and great rates to "new" customers BUT not to long-time customers! I'm so sorry you're having to go through this!!! :grumpy::grumpy:

[Topspinmo]

Certain areas and even inside some villas (CYV good example) are not wired for all services. Example is my villas (up north, way up north) half have Comcast and some have spectrum/brightside/what even they're are calling themselves now. Basically fiber optics are not in all areas, where coaxial cable is. I've heard the horror stories from both services. I got Comcast bundle and haven't had any problems, sure we always want better deal or cheap, but, usually after your deal time runs out the all up charge.

[jnieman]

We moved to TV from New England. Having had horrible experience with Comcast we decided to try satellite service for television. After having both Direct and Dish and also being tired of the "small" print we decided to change to Spectrum. We have many friends who are REALLY happy with Spectrum. Well...imagine my surprise when, after 4 phone calls and three different sales people, I find out that we can NOT get Spectrum at our address because we are in Comcast's territory!!! Am I the only person living in TV that didn't know these two companies have a "no compete" policy which means I HAVE NO CHOICE!! I am REALLY angry about this. The satellite companies can compete until we are all nauseated but you only have ONE choice for cable and that is dictated by your street address!! I like to have a choice - I detest having the choice taken away!!

We are really happy with our Direct TV and have in the last 8 years only lost service for a few minutes at a time during a heavy storm but it comes right back on. Did you have a service problem? Our reception is very clear and we love the variety.

[UpNorth]

You have plenty of choices, and they cost far less. You can install a roof antenna, aim it at the Orlando towers, and get TV for free! (What a great concept!):D

Or, you can just get internet from Comcast for around 30 bucks. Then, you can subscribe to stream you choice of TV packages - YouTube TV, Direct TV Now, Hulu, Playstation Vue, Philo, Sling TV, etc. You can get all the "local" networks and anything else you want (including a cloud-based DVR recorder). WAY cheaper than any cable or satellite package that they offer. Stream what you want and change services every month if you wish. No contract; no equipment fees no "cable guy" showing up at your house. Cable is DEAD.

[Rhonda West]

One of the Spectrum sales people said it absolutely is a non-compete and that the two companies agreed where the lines would be drawn. It is possible to live right next door to the competition and NOT be able to choose to have their service! Why doesn't this bother anybody else?

[Rhonda West]

Bonita

[retiredguy123]

One of the Spectrum sales people said it absolutely is a non-compete and that the two companies agreed where the lines would be drawn. It is possible to live right next door to the competition and NOT be able to choose to have their service! Why doesn't this bother anybody else?
I think you may have gotten some wrong information. Xfinity (Comcast) is available in virtually all areas in The Villages.

[Schaumburger]

I think you may have gotten some wrong information. Xfinity (Comcast) is available in virtually all areas in The Villages.

The OP doesn't want Xfinity/Comcast. She wants Spectrum, but she was told Spectrum is not available in the Village she lives in, and she is not happy about it.

[Marathon Man]

One of the Spectrum sales people said it absolutely is a non-compete and that the two companies agreed where the lines would be drawn. It is possible to live right next door to the competition and NOT be able to choose to have their service! Why doesn't this bother anybody else?

Maybe because after a life of work, this seems like a small issue now that we are living our earned retirement.

[biker1]

Not really true. Virtually all of The Villages has Comcast and all of The Villages south of 466a has Spectrum. That means a very large chunk of The Villages has access to both Comcast and Spectrum. In addition, virtually all of The Villages has access to CenturyLink, with a large chunk via fiber optic cable to the house. Where I live, there are 3 choices for Internet access and 5 choices for TV, plus TV streaming services and over-the-air antennas. In the northern parts of The Villages there is some limitation on choices but the southern half has lots of options.

One of the Spectrum sales people said it absolutely is a non-compete and that the two companies agreed where the lines would be drawn. It is possible to live right next door to the competition and NOT be able to choose to have their service! Why doesn't this bother anybody else?

[champion6]

One of the Spectrum sales people said it absolutely is a non-compete and that the two companies agreed where the lines would be drawn. It is possible to live right next door to the competition and NOT be able to choose to have their service! Why doesn't this bother anybody else?Have to talked with your Bonita neighbors about this? They may have already dealt with this and found a solution that isn't yet known to you. Good luck!

[jebartle]

You have plenty of choices, and they cost far less. You can install a roof antenna, aim it at the Orlando towers, and get TV for free! (What a great concept!):D

Or, you can just get internet from Comcast for around 30 bucks. Then, you can subscribe to stream you choice of TV packages - YouTube TV, Direct TV Now, Hulu, Playstation Vue, Philo, Sling TV, etc. You can get all the "local" networks and anything else you want (including a cloud-based DVR recorder). WAY cheaper than any cable or satellite package that they offer. Stream what you want and change services every month if you wish. No contract; no equipment fees no "cable guy" showing up at your house. Cable is DEAD.

Dear Upnorth, YOUR HIRED

Let's talk bottom line. If you want network channels, HiStory, Golf, HGTV, PBS and Discovery, can you cut the cable???? AND save money every month.?????

[John_W]

Spectrum use to be Bright House and then 2 or 3 years ago they were bought by Charter and changed the name to Spectrum. They had a salesman on TOTV all the time about two years ago. It was pretty well known back then, if you didn't live below 466A, don't call them. Comcast and Century Link are just about everywhere.

Personally I've had Directv since 2008, three years in Maryland and seven years here. I've never had a technician come to my house to make a repair. The only time I had a tech come by was three years ago when I switched from a regular HD box to a HD DVR box. It can store 1000 hours of HD programming. I believe Directv is better than sliced bread, if you don't have Directv, then you're missing TV.

[biker1]

The YouTubeTV streaming service has DVR in the cloud. I suspect the other streaming services also have cloud-based streaming services. If you look at what programming you actually watch, you may be able to ditch cable/satellite services for a streaming service at lower cost.

Spectrum use to be Bright House and then 2 or 3 years ago they were bought by Charter and changed the name to Spectrum. They had a salesman on TOTV all the time about two years ago. It was pretty well known back then, if you didn't live below 466A, don't call them. Comcast and Century Link are just about everywhere.

Personally I've had Directv since 2008, three years in Maryland and seven years here. I've never had a technician come to my house to make a repair. The only time I had a tech come by was three years ago when I switched from a regular HD box to a HD DVR box. It can store 1000 hours of HD programming. I believe Directv is better than sliced bread, if you don't have Directv, then you're missing TV.

[John_W]

The YouTubeTV streaming service has DVR in the cloud. I suspect the other streaming services also have cloud-based streaming services. If you look at what programming you actually watch, you may be able to ditch cable/satellite services for a streaming service at lower cost.

The biggest problem is nobody else has NFL Sunday Ticket. Red Zone is nice to watch if you're team is on a bye week or playing at night, but otherwise I want every game and not on my computer. I've got a 75" 4K Samsung, so I want the best. I'm a huge football fan. Interesting, I played golf yesterday at Palmer and a fellow joined us who was 77 years old. He has coached high school football for 58 years and he's a paid assistant at TV High School. Now that hockey season has ended and my Orioles suck, I'm ready for football season.

[biker1]

I hardly watch football so it is really not an issue. I prefer to go out and play sports myself instead of watching others. To each his own.

The biggest problem is nobody else has NFL Sunday Ticket. Red Zone is nice to watch if you're team is on a bye week or playing at night, but otherwise I want every game and not on my computer. I've got a 75" 4K Samsung, so I want the best. I'm a huge football fan. Interesting, I played golf yesterday at Palmer and a fellow joined us who was 77 years old. He has coached high school football for 58 years and he's a paid assistant at TV High School. Now that hockey season has ended and my Orioles suck, I'm ready for football season.

[Chatbrat]

This THurs.my Prism crapped out--was told they could not get a tech to me till June 30, my contract with Prism was due to expire on July 26--fired them just got Xfinity--Prism will no longer be supporting tv,they wanted us to go with Direct TV--after being without internet & tv for 4 days , and I own Centurylink stock,I would not recommend them @ all

The voice controls and picture quality with x-finity and I hope reliability will put CL out of business in TV

[vintageogauge]

You have plenty of choices, and they cost far less. You can install a roof antenna, aim it at the Orlando towers, and get TV for free! (What a great concept!):D

Or, you can just get internet from Comcast for around 30 bucks. Then, you can subscribe to stream you choice of TV packages - YouTube TV, Direct TV Now, Hulu, Playstation Vue, Philo, Sling TV, etc. You can get all the "local" networks and anything else you want (including a cloud-based DVR recorder). WAY cheaper than any cable or satellite package that they offer. Stream what you want and change services every month if you wish. No contract; no equipment fees no "cable guy" showing up at your house. Cable is DEAD.

I don't know where you live but we're not allowed to have roof antennas and I thought that was the norm throughout TV.

[bluedivergirl]

I don't know where you live but we're not allowed to have roof antennas and I thought that was the norm throughout TV.


Per the FCC, that restriction cannot be enforced:

Q: What types of restrictions unreasonably delay or prevent viewers from using an antenna? Can an antenna user be required to obtain prior approval before installing his antenna?

A: A local restriction that prohibits all antennas would prevent viewers from receiving signals, and is prohibited by the Commission's rule. Procedural requirements can also unreasonably delay installation, maintenance or use of an antenna covered by this rule. For example, local rules or regulations that require a person to obtain a permit or approval prior to installation create unreasonable delay and are generally prohibited. Permits or prior approval necessary to serve a legitimate written safety or historic preservation purpose may be permissible. Although a simple notification process (e.g. post installation) might be permissible, such a process cannot be used as a prior approval requirement and may not delay or increase the cost of installation. The burden is on the association to show that a notification process does not violate our rule.

More:Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule | Federal Communications Commission (https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule)

[Wiotte]

I don't know where you live but we're not allowed to have roof antennas and I thought that was the norm throughout TV.



Not true. Unenforceable due to federal law.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SFSkol]

The biggest problem is nobody else has NFL Sunday Ticket. Red Zone is nice to watch if you're team is on a bye week or playing at night, but otherwise I want every game and not on my computer. ....

Not quite following you. If you can get NFL Sunday ticket on your PC you can send a HD signal to your huge TV, either by streaming it or HDMI. I use my Chromebook to get MLB.TV to my TV thru HDMI.

How to Get NFL Sunday Ticket Without DirecTV (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/get-sunday-ticket-without-directv,review-3811.html)

[John_W]

Not quite following you. If you can get NFL Sunday ticket on your PC you can send a HD signal to your huge TV, either by streaming it or HDMI. I use my Chromebook to get MLB.TV to my TV thru HDMI.

How to Get NFL Sunday Ticket Without DirecTV (https://www.tomsguide.com/us/get-sunday-ticket-without-directv,review-3811.html)

If I'm correct, NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusive to Directv, they paid billions for the rights. I can get NFL Ticket on my computer but you have to buy NFL Ticket Supreme, which is the regular NFL Ticket plus an extra $100. That adds the Red Zone, the Fantasy Channel, and the computer capability, but I believe you can't get the Supreme as a stand alone. I have a smart TV and watch Netflix and Youtube videos all the time. I give my neighbor my password, who's a big Eagles fan, and he watches his team at his house on his computer and I watch on my TV.

I hardly watch football so it is really not an issue. I prefer to go out and play sports myself instead of watching others. To each his own.

Since you don't really know me, here's where I'm coming from. From 2011 to 2016 I played neighborhood softball 15 seasons in a row and only missed six games playing shortstop for Ameila, Tamarind Grove, Liberty Park and Calumet Grove. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with emphysema in 2016 and I'm no longer able to do any running and I have 3 different inhalers I use everyday. So I gave up softball and also pickleball which I played on ocassion. I still play the championship golf courses weekly, go to MVP 3 to 5 days a week to keep what I have. I also was diagnosed this year with lymphoma, it's all tied in to my Agent Orange exposure.

I've only missed seeing one Baltimore Ravens regular season game since their inception in 1996 either on TV or in person. Baltimore is a small market that is wedged between Washington (40 miles south) and Philadelphia (100 miles north) and in 1995 when Baltimore put together the best sports package, the NFL awarded franchises to Carolina and Jacksonville instead and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, Baltimore go spend your money on a museum. He said that to the wrong people. In the end, Cleveland lost their team for 3 years and has never fully recovered and LA had no pro NFL team for 20 years because he ignored St. Louis and Jacksonville has to cover a 1/3 of their seats to get a sellout on ocassion.

Baltimore is a football town, and even though I live in Florida I'm one of them. The Ravens get 71,000 people to every home game, there has only been one blackout game in 21 seasons. Some people don't care for football, I don't care for a few sports, mostly pro basketball, but NFL and especially the Ravens and before that, the Baltimore Colts for many years, and also College Football, golf and hockey I watch most of them religiously. To each their own.

[biker1]

That's fine but I have never seen much entertainment value in watching others play sports.


If I'm correct, NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusive to Directv, they paid billions for the rights. I can get NFL Ticket on my computer but you have to buy NFL Ticket Supreme, which is the regular NFL Ticket plus an extra $100. That adds the Red Zone, the Fantasy Channel, and the computer capability, but I believe you can't get the Supreme as a stand alone. I have a smart TV and watch Netflix and Youtube videos all the time. I give my neighbor my password, who's a big Eagles fan, and he watches his team at his house on his computer and I watch on my TV.



Since you don't really know me, here's where I'm coming from. From 2011 to 2016 I played neighborhood softball 15 seasons in a row and only missed six games playing shortstop for Ameila, Tamarind Grove, Liberty Park and Calumet Grove. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with emphysema in 2016 and I'm no longer able to do any running and I have 3 different inhalers I use everyday. So I gave up softball and also pickleball which I played on ocassion. I still play the championship golf courses weekly, go to MVP 3 to 5 days a week to keep what I have. I also was diagnosed this year with lymphoma, it's all tied in to my Agent Orange exposure.

I've only missed seeing one Baltimore Ravens regular season game since their inception in 1996 either on TV or in person. Baltimore is a small market that is wedged between Washington (40 miles south) and Philadelphia (100 miles north) and in 1995 when Baltimore put together the best sports package, the NFL awarded franchises to Carolina and Jacksonville instead and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, Baltimore go spend your money on a museum. He said that to the wrong people. In the end, Cleveland lost their team for 3 years and has never fully recovered and LA had no pro NFL team for 20 years because he ignored St. Louis and Jacksonville has to cover a 1/3 of their seats to get a sellout on ocassion.

Baltimore is a football town, and even though I live in Florida I'm one of them. The Ravens get 71,000 people to every home game, there has only been one blackout game in 21 seasons. Some people don't care for football, I don't care for a few sports, mostly pro basketball, but NFL and especially the Ravens and before that, the Baltimore Colts for many years, and also College Football, golf and hockey I watch most of them religiously. To each their own.

[EPutnam1863]

I don't think it is a non-compete, spectrum just didn't put cables in your area. On my street both spectrum and comcast are available.

We would love to have ATT's U-Verse cable service but it is not available in our area. Not all cable companies have cables in all areas.

Perfect explanation. The less populated the area is, the less likely there will be more than one cable. It is very expensive to lay a cable so why should they lay one if it won't be profitable for the company?

[UpNorth]

Not true. Unenforceable due to federal law.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

True. The Villages cannot stop you from putting an antenna on your roof. But you should try to use a discreet corner of your roof (if you have one). Some put theirs in their attic, but that cuts our some of the signal, which is already from afar. You should be able to get 50+ channels, but not all of them are worth watching IMO.

[UpNorth]

Dear Upnorth, YOUR HIRED

Let's talk bottom line. If you want network channels, HiStory, Golf, HGTV, PBS and Discovery, can you cut the cable???? AND save money every month.?????

Go online and see what channels YouTube TV, Direct TV NOW, Sling TV, HULU and PlayStationVue have to offer. Sign up and watch 7 days for free (5 days for PlayStation Vue). All you need is a ROKU streaming device attached to your TV and an internet connection. Right now, the only network you cannot get with these services is your local PBS, but that should be available before 2019. In the meantime, you can stream PBS on the free PBS app.

[UpNorth]

The YouTubeTV streaming service has DVR in the cloud. I suspect the other streaming services also have cloud-based streaming services. If you look at what programming you actually watch, you may be able to ditch cable/satellite services for a streaming service at lower cost.

Most of these services do have cloud-based DVR recording ability. However, even if you record some network shows (CBS, NBC, ABC in particular), these DVR's may block you from watching your recording if a VOD (Video On Demand) version is available. The downside? You cannot fast-forward through commercials on the VOD version, which defeats why most people record these shows in the first place. The commercials running on the VOD shows are long, frequent and annoying. YouTube TV has this DVR issue; PlayStation Vue does not. It depends on the deals these companies make with the networks.

[Rwirish]

Not a non compete issue.

[jedalton]

cut the cord and use a jailbroken amazon firestick, just need wi-fi only. Hacked Alexa Amazon Fire Stick with Terrarium & Kodi (clean or xxx opt.) | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/i/332690263380?chn=ps)

[tuccillo]

...

Most of these services do have cloud-based DVR recording ability. However, even if you record some network shows (CBS, NBC, ABC in particular), these DVR's may block you from watching your recording if a VOD (Video On Demand) version is available. The downside? You cannot fast-forward through commercials on the VOD version, which defeats why most people record these shows in the first place. The commercials running on the VOD shows are long, frequent and annoying. YouTube TV has this DVR issue; PlayStation Vue does not. It depends on the deals these companies make with the networks.

[banjobob]

We have used Prism/Century Link for 5 years and negotiated a great rate with all their services except phone for a year long rate. we have 4 wireless set top boxes their service was only out once for a short period of timeCin 5 years. I left Comcast because it seemed every two months I had to renegotiate a rate.

[B-flat]

We are in the process of purchasing a CYV in the north end. Spectrum and Centruy Link is available as is Satellite. We like to be able to watch the tube when it rains so it’s either Spectrum or Century Link. Looks as though Century link is a better deal by about $18 per month for TV/internet. Spectrum charges extra for a DVR CenturyLink does not. I was quoted $100 plus taxes and fees from Century link. In my opinion all the TV/internet/phone providers are holding holding us up without a gun.

It’s no different in Rhode Island where I’m from you have Cox Communications or Fios from Verizon. After the initial 2 year contract they raise their rates. I left Fios because Cox offered a more competitive price. In another year from now when Cox raises the rate I’ll migrate back to FIOS, I’m sure they’l offer me a special new customer rate.

[OhioBuckeye]

We moved to TV from New England. Having had horrible experience with Comcast we decided to try satellite service for television. After having both Direct and Dish and also being tired of the "small" print we decided to change to Spectrum. We have many friends who are REALLY happy with Spectrum. Well...imagine my surprise when, after 4 phone calls and three different sales people, I find out that we can NOT get Spectrum at our address because we are in Comcast's territory!!! Am I the only person living in TV that didn't know these two companies have a "no compete" policy which means I HAVE NO CHOICE!! I am REALLY angry about this. The satellite companies can compete until we are all nauseated but you only have ONE choice for cable and that is dictated by your street address!! I like to have a choice - I detest having the choice taken away!!

I agree, but I do have Spectrum & their Internet service, I've been with them for about 5 yrs. now & it cost me $160.76 a month now. Guess I can't complain because like dish they advertise their service for something like $19.99 a month for 12 months, but they don't tell you how much it'll cost on the 13th month. I'm sure after 2 or 3 yrs. it'll be just as high as mine & everyone else's. Also I always have to shake my head when I say TV isn't as cheap as a lot of people keep saying it is here. I always thought TV made life easier for their residents, but it seems like they cater to the vendors in TV. Don't take me wrong, I like TV but it's not what you think when you first move here. After living here for a while you really find out it's not all that cheap to live here. Sometimes I think it's catered to all the vendors that want to overcharge everyone for their services, & they do overcharge! Anyway, to answer your question about Spectrum, it really doesn't make any difference what service you get, they're like the old Quaker State Oil saying, "Pay me now or pay me later".

[D.C.Villager]

I'm very, very happy with my comcast cable and internet. I never experience outages or problems. The products are world class.

Yes, Comcast has customer service issues here and there, but once my products got installed, I never have to deal with customer service anymore.

[Chatbrat]

Just a final warning about Century Link--had them for 6 years--they will no longer support Prism tv, when your contract runs out--if you want quality tv thru Centurylong, you will have to go with Direct tv

[jrzeis@tampabay.rr.com]

I have to disagree. Maybe it is your location but I live in Leyton Villas and just switched from Comcast to Spectrum. I ditched cable TV altogether and use internet only (I use Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix). Spectrum did have to put a cable underground back to the utility box but that was no big deal as they used a bladed tool like a shovel to put it about 10 inches under the sod and you couldn't even tell they did it.

[thetruth]

COMCAST, SPECTRUM OR DISH OH AND AMAZON PRIME.

Second hand story from someone on Specturum the problem is the wiring installed by THE BUILDER. We have SPECTRUM
and wrong wiring was verbaly confirmed by their repair guy as well. Our BURIED wiring was BLACK and is not desiged to be buried. the PROPER WIRING to be buried is heavier and BROWN in color, After many issues-spectrum buried the proper wiring between ower junction box and the next one down the line a distance of about 1000 feet. It must have cost the company quite a bit. Interesting-under those green junction boxes, there is a signal booster.

SO FAR IT IS WORKING.

I recall reading years ago, INTERNET PROVIDERS are among the top companies getting complaints from consumers.
FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A CHOICE. UNFORTUNATELY THEY ALL STINK..

[biker1]

I have had CenturyLink for over 4 years and have had no issues and I have no complaints. They have delivered exactly what they said they would.


I recall reading years ago, INTERNET PROVIDERS are among the top companies getting complaints from consumers.
FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A CHOICE. UNFORTUNATELY THEY ALL STINK..

[Wbehrens]

I would suggest you put up an Antenna and in addition get "Sling" TV which is much less expensive in the long run. Look on the internet and see who installs TV antennas.

[IndianaJones]

Same issue here - Comcast/Xfinity stunk up north. Here, a whole different story - tremendous service, self-fixing apps on your phone, uninterrupted service, solid price for the last 2 years. No problems whatsoever, didn't even go down during the Hurricane last year. Xfinity is all over TV, so easy to get a signal on my phone almost anywhere I go in TV. Big difference from the past, much improved! Yes, I agree - choices are limited by goofy contracts and restrictions - but Xfinity is excellent so far!

[Wisecracker]

If your cable provider offers standalone high speed internet with modem and wireless router, consider a streaming device that offers the Spectrum TV Choice app (currently rolling out) or even Directv Now on Apple TV.

[arickis]

We are from Ct and return for the summer. We have Comcast 100 ft away on the next street, but we cannot get it because we are in Atlantic Broadband territory. Nothing new,it has always been like that.

[mrf6969]

Not a fan of regulation, however, given the necessity of these services I am beginning to think they should be regulated the same as other utilities. Customer service among the different Cable/Internet companies is poor at best.

I believe Spectrum (formerly Brighthouse) is only available south of 466A.

Yes you are correct. Bright House was never available north of 466A

[Jayhawk]

I like to have a choice - I detest having the choice taken away!!


You have choices. You've gone through 3 of them so far according to your post. You just don't have unlimited choices.

[Michiganders]

We bought in Osceola Hills new Nov.2017 and in paperwork were not given Spectrum as a choice but I called and we did get it and have been happy so far with it. We are in Sumter County.

[EdFNJ]

ComCRAP is suing my deceased father for $67. He passed away in March. Multiple collection letters & threats. His mail gets forwarded to me here and I finally got so annoyed I just sent them a change of address for him which was his cemetery plot address up North. Service was canceled the day after he passed away. I was dumb and paid the following month's bill which I didn't have to but now they want a bill paid from the following month because it took me time to get his equipment and send it back which I should never have done anyway, I should have tossed it. I've sent them death certs, photos of his plot with his name but they won't stop. Lawyer told me to just ignore it but they just pi** me off so I don't.

I had a similar problem with their billing dept many years ago and had to file a complaint with the State of NJ to finally get it resolved. Bottom line is, until you have a problem (ESPECIALLY BILLING RELATED), they're great, but when they screw up it can take months to fix it and they DO ding your credit report so you also have to dispute that after it all gets resolved because they will not remove the neg.

ComCRAP is great UNTIL you have a problem.

[Nucky]

Not really true. Virtually all of The Villages has Comcast and all of The Villages south of 466a has Spectrum. That means a very large chunk of The Villages has access to both Comcast and Spectrum. In addition, virtually all of The Villages has access to CenturyLink, with a large chunk via fiber optic cable to the house. Where I live, there are 3 choices for Internet access and 5 choices for TV, plus TV streaming services and over-the-air antennas. In the northern parts of The Villages there is some limitation on choices but the southern half has lots of options.

ComCRAP is suing my deceased father for $67. He passed away in March. Multiple collection letters & threats. His mail gets forwarded to me here and I finally got so annoyed I just sent them a change of address for him which was his cemetery plot address up North. Service was canceled the day after he passed away. I was dumb and paid the following month's bill which I didn't have to but now they want a bill paid from the following month because it took me time to get his equipment and send it back which I should never have done anyway, I should have tossed it. I've sent them death certs, photos of his plot with his name but they won't stop. Lawyer told me to just ignore it but they just pi** me off so I don't.

I had a similar problem with their billing dept many years ago and had to file a complaint with the State of NJ to finally get it resolved. Bottom line is, until you have a problem (ESPECIALLY BILLING RELATED), they're great, but when they screw up it can take months to fix it and they DO ding your credit report so you also have to dispute that after it all gets resolved because they will not remove the neg.

ComCRAP is great UNTIL you have a problem.

Sorry about Dad. At a sensitive time like this wouldn't it be great if they gave the extra respect that the situation calls for? I guess this is the reason the employees are behind bulletproof glass in their N.J. offices. Every time:rant-rave: they have to answer you it costs them, I'm sure you will make it cost them enough. Hang in there. I feel your pain.