Cable TV Options (Page 3): Unfortunately, still through Spectrum, whose infrastructure is less than robust - a 3 minute power outage causes many hours or a day of outage. Google is...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

rehess wrote:

How are you getting your Internet access?

Unfortunately, still through Spectrum, whose infrastructure is less than robust - a 3 minute power outage causes many hours or a day of outage. Google is laying Gbit fiber, but not to my house yet, and AT&T is not interested in running fiber 600’ up my driveway.

Bill_de Loc: US

When I decided to save on my cable bill I dropped the phone and bought a MagicJack for $35 which included 1 year of phone service. The next 5 years was $100 ($20/year). My next renewal will be $140 for 5 years. It plugs into my modem and gives me the same service I got from my Comcast phone service.

I told the woman I was speaking with that I also wanted to drop TV. She said that if I went to basic TV for $20 she could reduce my cable by $10. At that time it came to $80 including taxes. Five years later it is now $106.

I also bought my own Motorola modem/router saving $10/month. It's the same modem Comcast was supplying, just missing the phone connection. When the MagicJack is plugged into an Ethernet port it is the phone connection.

So, for $108/month I have Internet, Basic TV, and phone service. And, of course, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc., work on your computers, tablets (if your service is like comcast), and your smart TVs.

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TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Bill_de wrote:

When I decided to save on my cable bill I dropped ... (show quote)

Yes, by all means, buy your own modem if there is a monthly charge from your provider. I bought the identical modem provided by Spectrum (which included Wifi) for less than $50 and saved $10 per month.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Dp a bit of Google, Youtube, etc.
Check out the selection of "android tv box" on ebay,
I've got one for my computer (dumb) moniter.
Roku, Youtube and Kodi.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I recently moved, and was forced to Comcast triple play. They could not port my existing number that I had for 50 years. I found a way to use the old number (using cell phone technology) so I decided to drop Comcast's phone service part of Triple Play.

Comcast quoted a price that was about $50 per month MORE than my triple play, so I kept the unneeded phone service. I am looking for other options after my contract expires. Any ideas?

Bill_de Loc: US

LXK0930 wrote:

I recently moved, and was forced to Comcast triple play. They could not port my existing number that I had for 50 years. I found a way to use the old number (using cell phone technology) so I decided to drop Comcast's phone service part of Triple Play.

Comcast quoted a price that was about $50 per month MORE than my triple play, so I kept the unneeded phone service. I am looking for other options after my contract expires. Any ideas?

Call Comcast and ask to be connected to the Retention Department. They can usually save you a lot of money. They tried the same with me when I dropped the Triple Play.

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jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

jerryc41 wrote:

I didn't want to cut in on philo's post, so I'm st... (show quote)

I have Spectrum for Internet and phone.

I use YouTube TV and happy with it. We get all our local stations plus good choice for sports. $50 a month plus tax.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

twowindsbear wrote:

Yes you're correct. You'll need a smart TV or the ability to connect your computer to your TV, such as an HDMI connection and cable. Have you looked into a ROKU device? It's reasonably priced and provides HUGE variety if programming both free and paid. Take a look at orbytv.com, too. Good luck.

Yes, I have both Roku and amazon Fire. If I have trouble with one, I switch to the other.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

Yes, by all means, buy your own modem if there is a monthly charge from your provider. I bought the identical modem provided by Spectrum (which included Wifi) for less than $50 and saved $10 per month.

A few years ago, I was told I would have to pay a monthly fee for the modem, or I could buy my own, and they told me which models were acceptable. I bought the modem and wasted time trying to get it to work. When I called the cable company (the owner before Spectrum), I was told that since I had their Triple plan, I had to use their modem. Fortunately, I could return my modem to Amazon.

cdayton

To avoid subscribing to any WiFi provider, how about using an iPhone to set up a hot spot and then mirroring to an Apple TV? Your phone data plan includes Net access.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

jerryc41 wrote:

I didn't want to cut in on philo's post, so I'm st... (show quote)

All you really need is the internet. Use google voice for your phone and your smart tv for the rest.

NickelCigar Loc: Lenexa, Kansas

We got a fire stick for each tv, kept google internet and added YouTube tv and prime video saved about $50 a month.

Kleinlib Loc: Georgetown, KY

DWU2 wrote:

We had AT&T (DirecTV) for our cable until rece... (show quote)

I have switched in a similar way. Spectrum for Internet Only (100 mbs for$45/mo) introductory rate for 12 months. Then used Roku devices ($29 each TV one time purchase) and YouTube TV ($ 50/month plus tax). This allows me to view all the channels I need including many sports channels.....also Netflix ($9/month), Prime and Roku also has some channels/movies. You can add HULU and HBO GO or any streamed provider as needed with additional fees usually around $10/month (I think).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Jack47 wrote:

All you really need is the internet. Use google voice for your phone and your smart tv for the rest.

Hahahaha.....

I don't have a smart TV.....

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

A few years ago, I was told I would have to pay a monthly fee for the modem, or I could buy my own, and they told me which models were acceptable. I bought the modem and wasted time trying to get it to work. When I called the cable company (the owner before Spectrum), I was told that since I had their Triple plan, I had to use their modem. Fortunately, I could return my modem to Amazon.

Actually, the deal is that you still have to use their modem for VOIP phone, even if you have the exact same modem (which I did), but their modem, when used for VOIP only, then has no monthly fee. You just put a splitter in the incoming cable and run both modems side-by-side - theirs for phone and yours for internet. Dumb, but saves the $10 per month rental fee. One thing to be aware of: get into their modem’s management console (or have spectrum do it remotely) and turn off both the 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi BEFORE trining off the internet access for their modem. If you don’t, it’s WiFi will interfere with the WiFi from your new modem, and neither you nor Spectrum will be able to turn it off afterwards. The only option is to then swap out their modem with another spectrum modem with the WiFi disabled - been there, done that.