Television, internet, telephone providers

[Celebrator]

Looking for recent feedback from anyone who has had good or bad experience with companies who provide cable, internet or telephone service. I have read the previous posts but wonder if things have changed much. Infinity? etc. Closed on house in Mallory Square a few weeks ago and moving in soon. Thanks

[fritzy]

I have had a horrible experience with CenturyLink. I now have Direct-TV which I love,
and Comcast for internet which works well. I will be adding Comcast phone service in the Spring.

[rockyisle]

PROS:We just had Century Link install DSL Internet and Cable. Our monthly fee is $84.95 for HD, Whole House DVR and DSL. The only installation fee we paid was $15.00 for a credit check. It took several hours to get it installed as the previous owner had Comcast. We didn't need or want land lines as our cell phones work great.
Great group to work with, wonderful installer.
CONS: We are at the end of their line for internet speed, but it's definitely fast enough for us. They also don't have the Villages TV station and no on-demand TV similar to Comcast - but say that is coming.

I think it really depends upon what you are looking for. We are so busy, we simply wanted to be able to record the shows we like to watch and have fast internet at the lowest price possible. I think we found it.

[Celebrator]

Need to make a decision this week so if anyone else has an opinion please respond asap.

[memason]

I've had nothing but good experience with CenturyLink. I got DirecTV through them and DSL internet (10Mb/sec). They were professional and were here to install when they said they would.

Just another viewpoint....

[zcaveman]

I am happy with Comcast Internet and TV. Tomorrow they are installing their telephone service.

[Doodlegirl]

telephone, computer, television. Bundled. Arrived as scheduled, came back the next day because he was concerned about an installation issue he thought he might have confused (didn't), have had no issues at all and find the service great. Paying here $150. a month LESS than when I had the same bundling from ATT in South Florida. For me the X-finity is getting
a high five.

[fritzy]

I tried ordering CenturyLink twice.
Both times, they gave me an appointment date
and both times they never showed up,
even though I had confirmed the appointments.
They never called me either to say they were not coming.
Buyer beware....

[drdodge]

I have Comcast for everything and love it, no problems of any kind. Had them for about 5 years .
drd

[Hancle704]

Has anyone switched from Comcast Triple Bundle (HDTV, High Speed Internet and Unlimited Telephones Service) to a similar bundled package from CenturyLink with their new Prism Service? Would be interested in hearing how they compare and did they save any money by switching?

[Celebrator]

Your feedback has really helped me again. I have found the people on this website to be invaluable. I have used your advise for painters, knockdown ceilings, home inspector, etc.

[Dirigo]

Based on my personal experience, DirecTV is wonderful until you decide to drop them. Then they transfer you to their very experienced retention department and they will try endlessly to talk you out of leaving. They are very slick and tenatious.

Here's a hint: do not set up automatic payment through your credit card or checking account. They will not terminate your account until you listen to all their arguments.

[whippersnapper]

Most areas where DSL is available (neighborhoods with older copper lines) get download speeds from around 512 Kbps up to 6 Mbps. where as cable providers these days are between 5 mbps to 30 mbps or higher.

to give you an idea of speed
kbps = Kilobytes per second
mbps = megabytes per second

dial up 56kps
1000kps = 1 mbps


Generally you will get much faster speeds with cable it is also more reliable as not going over old telephone lines. Cable companys do have slower speeds at discounted prices lets say you want like just to check email and surf web at 1 mbps most will have like a 9.99 internet at slow speed.

[LvmyPug2]

We just signed up for Limited Basic from Comcast...$16.95/mo with no contract required. This plan has about 20 channels...local broadcast channels only; NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, CW, PBS, etc. and isn't HD.

We are only at our house in TV a few days each month and decided we didn't want to spend a lot of $$ for television reception(besides we're too busy having fun to watch much tv). When you call comcast, you have to specifically ask for "limited basic" otherwise they will tell you their cheapest plan is a "basic" plan for $29.95/mo When we called to order I had to also tell them "the one with broadcast channels only".

[Peek]

I'd like to find out, too as I am getting rid of Comcast. My costs have gone up considerably and they can't or won't negotiate one bit.

[jebartle]

Comcast internet/TV (4 TV's)for $84 month and magic jack $20/yr....No complaints..

[skyc6]

We just switched from Comcast to Century Link. We saved money by doing that, and get much better service as well. Check them out.

[ldj1938]

Had Prism installed two days ago. #1: They state you can receive 4 channels at a time to record. WRONG! Only if you want to watch programs in standard definition, not HD. Didn't bother explaining that b4 the install. Talked to customer service and even though it states 4 channels in all their brochures there is no * only in "SD"! Video quality is not as good as DTV in HD. Channels that are not in HD are not very good at all. Make sure you set up on the HD channels, not the SD channels. Still debating if I should go back to DTV. They ripped all the DTV equipment out when they installed. Customer service, of course, said that the DTV equipment would NOT be touched until my 30 day trial was over. They said that because I'm in Santo Domingo the quality would not be the best because we only have copper wire and not fiber optic service. They said that we would not be upgraded in this area. Some of the newer areas are serviced by fiber optic. You pays your $ and you take your chances... I'm waiting to see my first bill for Prism??

[gomoho]

We also switched from Comcast because of cost and switched to Direct - much better package at a better rate guaranteed for the next 2 years. I was do for another rate increase in June with Comcast. So far very happy - have lost the signal for a short time during the last few storms and the internet with Century Link is stable.

[rubicon]

Despite comments I have not experienced the horribles associated with Comcast. In fact just the opposite. I like comcast.

[gpirate]

Your feedback has really helped me again. I have found the people on this website to be invaluable. I have used your advise for painters, knockdown ceilings, home inspector, etc.

You might want to check out Bright House if they are in your area. Several days ago they discussing the same issues and many thought bright house was the best.

[Skip]

Despite comments I have not experienced the horribles associated with Comcast. In fact just the opposite. I like comcast.

Comcast, by far, has the worst reputation. We had 3 rate increases in one year with no change in coverage. When I called, they had all kinds of reasons why my rate went up. I understand that almost every person has a different rate that expires and then goes up 20-30% at a time. It's like an airline flight. Everybody paid a different fare.

Stay away from Comcast. Their billing and service departments don't talk to each other and the field people don't even work for Comcast. :grumpy:

Skip

[Jakel]

We use Direct TV. Probably not the cheapest, but we like the fact that we can disconnect the boxes, and take them up North with us whenever we like. We use Comcast for Cable, and I believe we can suspend that. If anyone is planning to go with Direct TV..PM me, they have a program where we can both save $10 per month for 10 months.

[LSUgirl]

Just purchased in Gilchrist. Was wondering what service providers everyone in that area is going with for HDTV and high speed internet.

[KeepingItReal]

[quote=]/Just purchased in Gilchrist. Was wondering what service providers everyone in that area is going with for HDTV and high speed internet.quote]

You have Bright House, Comcast, and Century Link all available on fiber in the new areas, I think Century Link offers a deal with Dish or Direct for the TV service or PRISM thru Century Link.

As prices keep going up we are looking at trying this for our home phone, anyone using it now? You just plug it into an existing jack to heat up all the jacks in your home.

AT&T� Wireless Home Phone - att.com
AT&T Wireless Home Phone cell phone from AT&T (http://www.att.com/WirelessHomePhone)

[sjdjmd]

No problem with Comcast so far...knock on wood!

[looneycat]

Has anyone switched from Comcast Triple Bundle (HDTV, High Speed Internet and Unlimited Telephones Service) to a similar bundled package from CenturyLink with their new Prism Service? Would be interested in hearing how they compare and did they save any money by switching?

we did and have had no issues with prism, it is IP TV like Uverse from att. sorry IP is internet protocol over the phone lines.
:throwtomatoes:

[casita37]

Regarding Comcast....I decided to upgrade our services. We only had basic cable. Decided to go with the bundle for TV, phone and Internet. I won't go into all the details, but I strongly suggest you talk to a local person, like the call center in Jacksonville. Don't order your services on line. You get most everything all lined up, then they connect you with a "live chat" to confirm everything and confirm an installation date/time. That is where the problem began. I asked the online chat rep if there was some way to print out our conversation. He said I would be given that opportunity prior to sign off....wrong....but then it was too late..all gone, and, you guessed it, mostly all wrong when the actual installation happened.

Another installer is supposed to come tomorrow to correct the original install. They told me it would be another $130 for tomorrow's service. I told her to just cancel the whole deal and then she said it would only be the $50 I had already been quoted. Believe me, the first question tomorrow for the tech will be "How much?" So much as a dime over $50 will lead to a disconnect.

We did not get off to a good start.....just deal locally and get names and confirmations.

[billlaur]

Brighthouse the best

[DENNIS G]

We switched from Comcast to Century Link. Was the biggest mistake I think we ever made (to save $20.00). Nothing but trouble with Prism and internet. The internet was listed as their fastest with prism, but you could not even stream netflix with it without waiting for it to build up the buffer , when that was used another buffer would start. put up with it for 2 months, went back to Comcast at a cost with Xfinity Security installed with cameras for $26.00 more per month than century link and got more HD, Premium channels and a faster speed internet(5 times what we were getting with century link). No more problems streaming from Netflix or other ones now. We have had great service since installation and good customer service with Comcast.

[Avista]

We are fed up with Comcast for our TV. They keep raising prices. Are looking at direct TV and Dish.

[LSUgirl]

Moving into section 213 of Gilchrist and would like feedback/direction as to which provider for Cable, Internet & Phone works best in that area.

[jrandall]

We have used Brighthouse since October and they have been great. There customer service is excellent too!

[Maiercab]

I have had Comcast for both TV and Internet for the past year. Now a year later the cost goes up $40/ month - almost 25%. Yikes.

I start looking into the other options and focused primarily on satellite, DISH and Direct. I was finding it difficult to understand the pros and cons and exactly what it would cost. I hadn't even approached Internet services. Thru Talk of the Villages I found Tobin Satellite. I called and Jerry Tobin was wonderful. He carefully explained my options. We determined staying with Comcast for Internet and going with DISH were my best options.

I called Comast, went thru the menu options and was connected to a live person quickly. I asked what I needed to do to keep Internet and cancel television. I told her why. She offered me another package - exact same services and equipment, $10/ month LESS than last year. I did not have a landline - so by adding one, I qualified for a new reduced package. Next year the price will go up - $20 more per month. No contract needed.

I prefer no contract and no satellite dish. I have always had cable and just never made that jump to satellite. If I did go to satellite I would contact Jerry Tobin first! This year Comcast will be $20/month more but next year (when DISH would go up) the difference is approximately $5.

But most of all - if you are going satellite - Call Jerry Tobin! He would make it soooo much easier. No pressure like you get when you call from a website! He is very knowledgeable. He is local. (No longer has booth at Marion Market). His number is 352-288-4787.