NFT: Cutting the cord - need help

I work remotely, so I need to have a consistent landline to support my home office and high-speed internet. I watch maybe 5 hours of TV a week, but its cheaper for me to have cable television as part of a Triple Play package than just having phone/internet (to the tune of $20 saved by adding cable each month).

Cord Cutting is ideal in a competitive market with options. If you're in a TWC-only or Verizon-only zone, etc. you basically get told to deal with their packages for better pricing - which totally negates cord cutting in some scenarios (especially if you need a landline). They want subscribers and consumers of content, getting you onboard with just high-speed internet (and no data cap) isn't in their best interest.

Sometimes it may actually be cheaper to keep both services if you get a good promo.

Typically internet only price will be similar in price to a double play package. However, one thing they don't mention is that equipment costs & regulatory fees will be less with internet only. I believe FIOS HD box prices are like $9.99 per TV. If you have multiple TVs in your house, equipment costs can add up real quick. Also, I believe there are fees and other things added to your bill for TV service. With internet only its typically only tax.

I just recently canceled my TV service with Verizon and my internet speed went up, but my package price only went down $5/month. But I'll be saving ~$30/month from the total bill in equipment, tax, and fee reductions.

Don't cut it again. Lean over the barrel and take it like a man.

In the past, Verizon\Comcast\Time Warner sold you TV packages and threw in Internet as an added value. In years past, TV packages had more value.

Now a days, it's the opposite. These companies sell you Internet and throw in TV\phone as added value. If you cut out TV\Phone, the bulk of that price is still internet price.

Not sure if Comcast\Xfinity is an option for you but they are currently running a promotion of 75 MB Internet and 45 channel TV package for just $54.99 per month. Which also includes HBO and Streampix (their version of Netflix). The 45 channels include 5 HBO station, all the local channels and most of the channels that my family watches like AMC, USA, E! and Disney.

I buy the internet packages for MLB and NFL (Use VPN to get international package discount on Sunday Ticket).

In comment 12400044 NYG27 said:

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I buy the internet packages for MLB and NFL (Use VPN to get international package discount on Sunday Ticket).

Could you describe the VPN process to get Sunday Ticket? I live out of market, and only have DTV for the Ticket. I would love to cut the cord but no Sunday ticket is a huge hurdle...

once my deal with FiOS runs out. I also found their internet only and internet/phone double play to be outrageously high. TWC had better pricing for both options, but the upload speed will be slower.

In comment 12400067 speedywheels said:

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In comment 12400044 NYG27 said: Quote: I buy the internet packages for MLB and NFL (Use VPN to get international package discount on Sunday Ticket). Could you describe the VPN process to get Sunday Ticket? I live out of market, and only have DTV for the Ticket. I would love to cut the cord but no Sunday ticket is a huge hurdle...

+1

Step one, google how to setup VPN with international IP. There are many services that cost about $6-7 per month that will create a VPN connection to an international country of your choice. So instead of having a US IP address, your computer would have one from England, Russia, Italy or whatever location you prefer. Another benefit of this is, you can stream those countries local TV stations via VPN (They restrict access to any IP outside of their local countries). There are several England series that are interesting to follow if your IP is local.

Step two, check out this link below. Click on the International tab. NFL Game Pass is only available to users outside of the US markets, which is where step one is helpful.

Good Luck
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but that is $$$

In comment 12400102 NYG27 said:

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Step one, google how to setup VPN with international IP. There are many services that cost about $6-7 per month that will create a VPN connection to an international country of your choice. So instead of having a US IP address, your computer would have one from England, Russia, Italy or whatever location you prefer. Another benefit of this is, you can stream those countries local TV stations via VPN (They restrict access to any IP outside of their local countries). There are several England series that are interesting to follow if your IP is local. Step two, check out this link below. Click on the International tab. NFL Game Pass is only available to users outside of the US markets, which is where step one is helpful. Good Luck link - ( New Window )

Thank you!

In comment 12400104 Jay in Toronto said:

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but that is $$$

Jay, if you want free streams, you're stuck with the Firstrow Sports and such. Their quality is hit and miss, I'd rather pay for the service and watch in HD. Still saving over paying full cable bill if you compare costs.

says they have 25/25 internet for $45
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In comment 12400136 Deej said:

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says they have 25/25 internet for $45 Link - ( New Window )

You would think that directing their reps to pages like this would work, right? Nah, apparently that's the price for new customers only (their response to every promotion I found). Unless I can put the account in my dogs name than I'm probably going to have to settle for the cheapest bundle.

the new prospective customer is more important than the loyal paying customer.

Frustrating.

In comment 12400126 NYG27 said:

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In comment 12400104 Jay in Toronto said: Quote: but that is $$$ I understand -- I am just familiarizing myself with the world of aggregates (eg Roku) and hope that might open up some 'channels'. Jay, if you want free streams, you're stuck with the Firstrow Sports and such. Their quality is hit and miss, I'd rather pay for the service and watch in HD. Still saving over paying full cable bill if you compare costs.

I bought and set up a Tablo with a roku 3 in my living room paired with an Apple TV for when I want to airplay from a device and a roku stick in my bedroom. Has been working really well along with my antenna that I got via amazon.

Was home all weekend and what little TV I did watch could be gotten from other media (it was actually just background noise to be honest). I expect to go down from $156 a month FIOS bill to around $85. I already paid for Netflix and Amazon prime, the only service I am adding is SlingTV at $20 a month for a savings of $50 a month.

The Giants games are all broadcast over the air, and I will be able to get MNF via SlingTV. I'll have to figure out TNF. I'll be fine.

Let's you estimate what it would cost to cut the cord based on what you like to watch.
Cut the cord - ( New Window )

After getting a different price from the reps every time I called I finally decided to try my luck and file a complaint with the FCC. A few days later I got a call from Verizon and they offered me the 50/50 Fios internet and local channels for $49.99 per month on a 2 year deal. I'm very satisfied with how it worked and apparently the FCC still has some muscle.

In comment 12407600 KentGraham said:

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After getting a different price from the reps every time I called I finally decided to try my luck and file a complaint with the FCC. A few days later I got a call from Verizon and they offered me the 50/50 Fios internet and local channels for $49.99 per month on a 2 year deal. I'm very satisfied with how it worked and apparently the FCC still has some muscle.

Kent, that's a very solid deal from Verizon. At least getting the local channels will help from getting a HD antenna.

As another BBIer posted, look into Sling TV. For just $20 a month, you get most all the major cable networks.
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