The current communications and home entertainment fad from the major communications and media businesses is bundling two or more services into one discount package. This trend started with cable companies like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter and Cox and moved to national phone carriers who now offer TV and broadband in select areas on top of traditional phone service. Does purchasing bundled TV, internet and phone services truly help you spend less money? For years, I have been covering digital services and products and in this piece I’ll give you a look at these package deals and let you know whether going to one company for all of your broadband, television, and telephone requirements is ideal or whether shopping around is the best method.

None of us want to turn over all our essential services to one individual company. It just doesn’t feel right for some reason. Can’t they suddenly raise the rate and I’ll be locked into a contract I can’t get out of? Will I be stuck with equipment after I change companies? These are all normal concerns when you are shopping around for digital home services. So what does happen when your original promotion expires? Due to the high level of competition in this industry, rates are rarely raised. In fact, the drive to keep customers is so great that even when promos or special deals end, very often existing customers can extend their offer or move to a new promotion. It just might take a simple phone call from you to get the latest deal. For example, Charter gives cable customers the chance to lock in rates for up to two years if they buy a total service bundle. As far as your equipment responsibilities, each service provider determines their own policies. The type of equipment you’re going to get from your provider is usually just a digital receiver for your television and a broadband modem if you order high speed Internet. If you ordered an upper level package it may come with a DVR box. Generally, though, most companies are not going to charge you any unexpected fees for the normal use of their equipment. A small monthly fee may be charged for a monthly broadband modem rental fee if you do not purchase one of your own. You may also be charged a small fee for additional digital receivers for multiple TV’s. You need to check with the providers in your area in order to learn the exact regulations. If you change address or switch providers you’re generally only responsible for giving the equipment back to the office of the local company. If you haven’t lost the equipment and it still works it’s unlikely you will have to pay anything. This is why I don’t see any reason for consumers to not take advantage of a bundle offer over any apprehension about the equipment provided by the company. Every digital provider has essentially the same policies about hardware costs and how to return them. These rules don’t change not matter how many services you purchase. Start your research now to find the very best cable package prices in your area.

Now lets look at the bundles you can currently get from the major players in the digital services space. Satellite saw a big resurgence in the 90’s when they introduced small dish’s that could be installed on the side of a house and all-digital channels that at the time were far clearer than the signal being delivered by cable companies. Besides generally speaking being less expensive, until the last few years satellite TV offered a greater variety of channels than cable did. But in recent years the satellite industry has remained stagnant. Restricted by technological limitations, satellite companies like DirectTV and Dish are fighting to compete in the digital revolution currently going on in cable and telecommunications field. Satellite TV prices are competitive, satellite broadband not a good option unless you have no other choice and there is no voice offering. Lately, companies that cover the entire country (AT&T, Qwest, Verizon) are offering deals on digital TV, high-speed Internet, and home and cell phone deals. This happens through a limited fiber-optic network available mainly in cities and by partnering with satellite and broadband providers in order to offer internet and TV. Even though the quality and price point is there, I’m currently not recommending consumers go with a telco company for all three services. Since they are partnering with other companies for the TV or broadband service, you’re merely getting a repackaged product that puts more hands in the pot and can create service headaches. If one of the resold partners wants to change prices, where does that leave you?

So where am I suggesting consumers spend their home entertainment and communications dollar? I am a fan of cable bundling. Cable companies today offer a more complete digital and HD programming lineup that matches and often beats what Dish and DirecTV offers. In addition, cable customers get add-ons such as digital video recorder boxes and on demand service which satellite is just starting to provide. And unlike the telco’s, you’re getting digital cable tv, broadband internet, and digital phone service all from one company that will support all three products. However, for those who are just in the market for television service it might pay to consider satellite or teco because the competition is higher. But when you combine services you can’t get a better deal considering the products and discounts a cable provider can give you. The web is a great place to start looking for great cable packages. I suggest using my article as a guide and comparing the features each provider offers for yourself. Research each package and use the knowledge you’ve learned to find the best deal!