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Entry bubble Choosing the Right Cable & Internet

By: Jake | October 22, 2007 | Category: Money

Preparations for the move are going well. I am borrowing a friend's truck the first Saturday in November (if I used a mover I would have used the Protect Your Move Guide).

Now I can focus on utility adjustments. Trash, water and gas are included in the rent at both apartments, but my cable and internet bill have been getting a little high and I've been looking to save some money.

Utility rates like water, electricity and gas are regulated by state utility commissions, but cable and internet are different beasts. Local franchising authorities (LFA) regulate cable prices for the basic services tier (includes most local broadcast stations, as well as the public, educational, and governmental channels) when there is a lack of “effective competition.” The LFA does not regulate what cable companies charge for other cable programming. Internet Service Providers have no government regulating body.

When it comes to cable and internet (like everything else), it's up to the consumer to find the best deal. There are many things to consider when choosing cable and internet. Many cable companies also provide internet service and offer bundle packages with savings on each. With cable you need to decide if you want analog or digital. For my cable service I like having a digital video recorder and I need digital cable to get it. As far as internet goes, I prefer basic broadband internet service with a wireless router.

I spent a week weighing the different options. When all was said and done I stayed with my current provider. Why? Before I switched my service I checked with them to see if they have any moving specials and they actually did.

| View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: apartments   cable   internet   moving   utilities  

Comments (1):

blue comment bubble Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on November 11, 2007 at 09:44 AM EST

Net Neutrality is a critical issue that is being swept under the rug by the cable companies. It would be comparable to Gutenberg charging a hefty tax on everything printed from his invention [moveable type]. If we really want to keep ahead of the rest of the world, congress needs to act now! Cable companies already have mono or duopolies on broadband access; we can't allow them to put a stranglehold on free speech on the web also...

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