[mrbillmidlo]

We are closing on our DH in 3 weeks (can't wait) and are in the process of setting up the utilities. Water and electricity are always easy, we haven't decided on cable/internet/phone. We have had combinations of providers in previous houses but never all three (cable/internet/phone) from the same one. We are leaning toward the Comcast "triple play." We figure that with all new underground utilities we should have be safe from most storms. Does anyone have any comments?

[villages07]

Note to Tony.... in this instance, I am assuming DH means Dream House.
Acronym Police!!!

Back to the OP (original poster).... first, congrats on buying in The Villages... one of the best decisions you'll ever make

The 2 major choices for bundles are comcast and embarq (now century link).

Either way, storm outages here are not an issue...except perhaps with embarq and dish TV....that's what keeps me away from satellite TV.

Beyond that, is which provider offers you the best package for the value delivered and what escape clauses do you have? I think embarq requires a 2 year commitment...comcast maybe not as long? Dish/satellite offers more channel and more HD but is susceptible to storms. Is comcast phone an internet based VOIP? You may lose something in voice quality.

If I was just moving in, I would probably go with Comcast... higher speed internet and more reliable cable signal are more important to me than channel selection on cable. Also, I think it's easier (and cheaper) to bail out on comcast than embarq.

Really, I just chimed in because I wanted to ding Tony on the DH acronym.

[Pturner]

V07, you beat me to the . My first thought was to explain to Mr. Tony that Mr. Bill was not closing on dear husband in three weeks.

I thought DH was Designer Home, but anyone except the most acronymoniously-challenged would understand the general idea.

Now, V07, we better explain to Mr. Tony that your HD reference is not a case of DH dyslexia but means High Definition.

Back to mrbillmidlo, to TV and, as I see this was your first post, to TOTV. Sorry for shamelessly hijacking your post with what must sound like total Gibberish. Please consider it a friendly TOTV initiaton.

Back to your question: We have Comcast internet and cable at TV, but not phone. No problems with it. We quit using land lines last year and just use our cell phones. We find this actually way more convenient, not to mention cheaper.

All the best to you down here in Lower Paradise!

[springfield]

Comcast convinced us to do the triple play, what a great savings, blah, blah, blah. 6 months later, our bill increased. They said what we were paying was just an introductory offer. At NO was this ever mentioned when we signed up.They alsodo a cute little thing where you have to buy a bunch of channels to get the few you want When we leave IL (which we hope will be soon) we will be reluctant to go with Comcast.

[Zass38]

I have decided to use Comcast for Cable TV and Internet. Mu telephone service is Via Skype, using my computer and the Internet for outgoing calls and my cell phone for incoming calls.
The cost for Skype is @2.95 per month for unlimited calls to any phone in the US, both cell and land line. Quality is great.

[BobKat1]

I've been looking at Comcast Triple Play packages here in IL while considering a change. Online at least, they show the initial rates, what they'll be in 6 months, 12 months etc. depending on the package. Verbally they may not mention those details. I'm more concerned with the longer term cost vs. the intro teaser rates.

[pooh]

First of all, congratulations on your new home and welcome home! You're going to really love living in The Villages.

I have Comcast for tv, internet and phone. Decided not to go with Direct TV or Dish because of contracts. Left Embarq, now Century Link, because of billing problems....and Comcast phone service, even without discounts, costs us less than Century Link.

When considering whether to subscribe to satellite or cable, remember your picture is only as good as the tv you view it on.

Have fun getting settled into you new home. It's work, but it's fun work. ENJOY!

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by mrbillmidlo

We figure that with all new underground utilities we should have be safe from most storms. Does anyone have any comments?

Lighting strikes can cause havoc with underground utilities!!! People always recommend surge protectors for their electrical box in the garage BUT you should also get surge protectors for cable and telephone lines. This is especially important if you have an expensive Flat screen TV. Lighting strikes can go through the ground or hit a cable box or sprinkler head and cause you alot of damage. For TVs, computers etc, highly recommend you get a good quality surge protector that not only offers protection against an electrical surge but also one that has input and output for coaix cable.

YOu should also get secondary surge protectors for your air conditioning unit (place it on your switch box near the outside unit) and small surge plates where you plug in your garage door openers, and sprinkler system. These are relatively inexpensive compared to repair costs if you do get hit.

[jdcurry33]

Originally Posted by Pturner

V07, you beat me to the . My first thought was to explain to Mr. Tony that Mr. Bill was not closing on dear husband in three weeks.

I thought DH was Designer Home, but anyone except the most acrimoniously-challenged would understand the general idea.

Now, V07, we better explain to Mr. Tony that your HD reference is not a case of DH dyslexia but means High Definition.

Back to mrbillmidlo, to TV and, as I see this was your first post, to TOTV. Sorry for shamelessly hijacking your post with what must sound like total Gibberish. Please consider it a friendly TOTV initiaton.

Back to your question: We have Comcast internet and cable at TV, but not phone. No problems with it. We quit using land lines last year and just use our cell phones. We find this actually way more convenient, not to mention cheaper.

All the best to you down here in Lower Paradise!

pturner - you are too funny! I love your sense of humor....this jdcurry33's wife posting...

[WVMtnBoy]

Hi and Welcome! Another option is Brighthouse. I was at our new build in Gilchrist a few days ago and ran into a field agent for this company who said that the grid in that area is being fined tuned this coming week and should be ready when we close on 9/27. I'm planning on going with them.

[hotrodgirl]

I am also planning on going with Brighthouse. Comcast somehow got hold of my UNLISTED number here in IL and had the nerve to call me to ask if I wanted their service in TV. Called my agent to ask about this and she stated they do not give out personal info, so not sure how this happened. It took me two seconds to say no thanks! There have been lots of complaints here about Comcast service but I have DirecTV where I currently reside. just til Dec!!

[Ron1Z]

Cable Television, The only utility that makes you pay for somthing that you dont want or use. And they call in a bundle here in Delaware. I never watch the 199 channels that I get. Why cant I pick and pay for the channels that I want or watch.

[Dreamers]

Have been reading about internet/cable bundles on the forums. Read that Comcast has it problems in the lower Villages and Brighthouse was recommended by a few after their installation and customer service was so good and their service seems to be working well ( below 466A)
. I called the contact recommended this afternoon and he got back to me this evening! ( Saturday). He is going to e-mail me the different "packages" or "bundles" they offer. Anyone else have any experience with Brighthouse below 466A?
Sharyn

[Lpierleo]

Welcome to TV. If you have built a new house I would highly recommend Brighthouse. No contract, no installation fees and prices stays the same for 2 years. Sales person was outstanding.

[Phanatic Luvr]

Brighthouse is only available in the new neighborhoods south of 466A as another posted wrote. (Sanibel, Charlotte, Fernandina, etc...)
We had Brighthouse at our last home and I couldn't say enough good about them. I have Comcast here in St. James and although I have had no real problems to speak of, if Brighthouse becomes available here, I'll be the first to switch.
Comcast also did a bundle (TV, internet and phone) when we moved in, in Nov. 2011. The first 12 months was $99.00 + tax = $114.51, months 13 thru 24 will increase by $15.00 and the last increase, months 25 on, will be another $15.00. We were made well aware of incredimental increases when signing on. Just ask questions that pertain to you when ordering service.