It used to be that cable and phone services were like the major utilities: you didn’t get a choice in how you got ’em. But with the convergence of communications technologies, your cable provider is now offering phone service, your phone provider is now offering cable service, and everyone seems to be offering you an on-ramp to the Internet. How to choose? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you want a solo provider, choose Verizon or Optimum. Both offer packages that provide customers with combined television, telephone, and Internet service.
While satellite providers can offer a greater variety of channels and upgrade options (like DirecTV’s $299 Sunday Ticket package, giving you every single NFL game of the season), you still will need to use a second provider (which they arrange) if you want Internet and phone service.
For satellite service, you’ll need an unobstructed view of the southern sky—and satellite reception is known to be compromised by bad weather.
| Company | Basic/Popular Package | Price Per Month | Number of Channels | Early Termination Fee | Premium Channel Prices |
Internet and Phone Provider |
| Verizon | Fios TV Essentials | $47.99 | 250 plus | $179 | $11.99 – $15.99 per extra movie channel |
Yes |
| Optimum (Cablevision) | Family Cable | $52.99 | 150 plus | No Fee | $10.95 – $11.95 per extra movie channel |
Yes |
| Dish Network | Classic Bronze | $39.99 | 120 plus | $15.99/month | $16 for one (price goes down when you add each additional service) |
No (Verizon DSL) |
| DirecTV | Choice | $55.95 | 150 plus | $20/month | $12.95 per extra movie channel | No (Verizon DSL) |
*Chart does not take into account promotions, which may change the costs.
