[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Battlebasset

I also put up an antenna that allows me to get all of the networks and several other stations out of Orlando. All told, about 60 channels, with about 30 that have anything you really care to watch. But after the initial investment of $150 for antenna/booster, it's free. Can't beat that.

What antenna do you use?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

About a year ago we finally had it with the cable bill price increases and made the leap into the streaming world. Once we toppled the learning curve, we can’t believe we didn’t cut the cord sooner. No looking back.

I helped a couple make the switch from Xfinity to Quantum Fiber and Youtube. To my surprise although they had several Xfinity cable boxes, the interface they were using was very similar to the user interface on YouTube. The learning curve in their case was partially learning and getting familiar with the differences but also getting over the "fear" of using YouTube TV. Over time the cable companies have been transitioning to what I call a streaming user interface in order to compete.

I feel steaming is beneficial for those who want to only pay for the content they want to watch. With the ability to easily subscribe and unsubscribe to services as they please.

The cable companies are "taking a beating" becasue of the cord cutters and have to resort to bundling their services with phone and other things. Unfortunately, not all areas have a choice for internet so many have to deal with what they have available. The good news is we have seen some of the fiber companies such as Quantum expanding into other areas such as Bonita Villas so there is some hope that most Villagers will have more of a choice to subscribe to a company that better fits their needs.

[Singerlady]

Originally Posted by jrref

Did your cable bill go up recently, if so, are you doing anything about it?
Xfinity and Spectrum had increases as of January.

No cable. Streaming. Total streaming with YouTube, internet with Comcast and Netflix…..about $150. No problem deciding what to do.

[jrref]

When looking at internet providers here in the Villages, in most cases for us Villagers, cost seems to be the biggest driver when selecting a provider since very few are running a business or working from home.

This is not an advertisement but an awareness post. What's interesting is the cable companies are not providing their new advanced technology here in the Villages. While Verizon, ATT and T-Mobile Are providing new wireless services and now Quantum Fiber is offering their newest technologies "Lumen is using XGS-PON technology, a passive optical network to provide the symmetric multi-gig capabilities." You can read about it here. Attention Required! | Cloudflare Areas around Dunedin and north to Bonita Villas and other areas have this new fiber technology. Area's south down to Osceola Hills are scheduled to get this new technology in 2025.

Although us Villagers don't need these high speeds now, it will be interesting to see what the future holds, there are businesses here in the Villages that do. It's also "good to know" that the wireless carriers, and Quantum and Centric fiber companies are still investing in the internet infrastructure here in the Villages, whether we need it or not. While the cable companies are doing nothing except trying to bundle services with stuff we don't want and are trying to become a Phone company.

Interesting. I think we are very lucky to have these wireless and fiber serivices available for most of us here in the Villages.

[Kerry Azz]

I’m 71 and I only stream, that statement is ludicrous. My internet bill is 55.00 a month 4 tv’s 3 Alexa device security cameras and a wireless printer. Cable is for people who like to throw money away.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Kerry Azz

I’m 71 and I only stream, that statement is ludicrous. My internet bill is 55.00 a month 4 tv’s 3 Alexa device security cameras and a wireless printer. Cable is for people who like to throw money away.

That's about what you should be paying for internet these days here in the Villages. Good for you!

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by Kerry Azz

I’m 71 and I only stream, that statement is ludicrous. My internet bill is 55.00 a month 4 tv’s 3 Alexa device security cameras and a wireless printer. Cable is for people who like to throw money away.

Same with people that are paying for a landline phone.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by jrref

Did your cable bill go up recently, if so, are you doing anything about it?
Xfinity and Spectrum had increases as of January.

For the first time in 10 years, I seem to have gone over my allotted data. I tried to call to find out why and how I could avoid this. Absolutely maddening trying to get a person to talk to and then one that is knowledgeable. I finally hung up.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by Kerry Azz

I’m 71 and I only stream, that statement is ludicrous. My internet bill is 55.00 a month 4 tv’s 3 Alexa device security cameras and a wireless printer. Cable is for people who like to throw money away.

How do you only pay $55?

[mraines]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Spent an hour+ on the phone with Xfinity where they raised my internet from $85 to $110. After much high blood pressure work I finally got help from a nice fellow and ended up paying $70. a month. Whew, until next year farewell.

How did you do that? I couldn't get past the one I had. I kept asking to speak to someone else and I finally just hung up.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

Same with people that are paying for a landline phone.

LOL right!! So, I've seen many eventually realize they don't need the landline anymore and just drop it. Some feel the landline phone is like a member of the family. Fortunately, you can go to Consumer Cellular and port your number to them and they will give you a landline phone that works over their cellular network so you can keep it if you want. I think it's $15/month. Or you can get MajicJack.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by mraines

How did you do that? I couldn't get past the one I had. I kept asking to speak to someone else and I finally just hung up.

I know i've said this before but you need to understand the situation the cable companies are in. They are loosing subscribers at an alarming rate so when you call they have been instructed to make it as hard as possible to cancel or try to re-negioate your service. I know some just spend an hour and get some sort of temporary discount but at the end of the day you need to figure out which companies service your home and then work with the company that you like best and has the best deal for your specific needs.

I know I talk about Quantum fiber a lot but the reason is when I moved to the Villages 3 1/2 years ago, many had no idea what it was or that their home was already pre-wired and they had this choice. My personal goal was to create awareness and help my friends and neighbors make the switch if that's what they wanted to do.

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by mraines

How do you only pay $55?

I pay $40/month with Xfinity. I supply my own modem and wifi router and my account is on autopay to get that rate. Every 12 months they try to increase my rate but then we just call them and tell them we're cancelling, and then they offer us $40 for 12 months again. Has worked for 3 years in a row so far.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

I pay $40/month with Xfinity. I supply my own modem and wifi router and my account is on autopay to get that rate. Every 12 months they try to increase my rate but then we just call them and tell them we're cancelling, and then they offer us $40 for 12 months again. Has worked for 3 years in a row so far.

For which speed?

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by jrref

For which speed?

300 mbps. We can have 3 TV's steaming at once without any issues.