With average cable bills coming in at $85 a month, and most satellite TV providers charging $100 a month, it’s only natural to seek out savings in this area.

When you throw in the cost of internet, there’s even more reason to get the best possible deal for both services.

We’ll kick off today by showing you how you can cut back on internet expenditure before exploring how to save money on cable.

TLDR: Bundle your TV and internet for the best possible deal.

5 Ways to Save Money on Internet

1.     Threaten to Leave

2.     Consider a Lower Speed Plan

3.     Buy Your Own Modem

4.     Switch Providers

5.     Constantly Monitor Local Deals

1) Threaten to Leave

If you’re unhappy with the amount you’re paying for your internet, do you feel you could get a better deal elsewhere?

Before anything else, call your internet provider and explain your situation. In the vast majority of cases, if you express your intention to leave, the company representative will offer some form of incentive to stay.

This strategy is a win-win. Even if you don’t get any discount, you are not committed to leaving. You’ve got nothing to lose by asking.

2) Consider a Lower Speed Plan

Now, downgrading to a lower speed plan is a surefire way to save money with most providers. The question is, will that negatively impact your day-to-day use?

If you have teens in the house downloading and online gaming, or you work from home, this will not be a viable way to save money. You need that extra speed.

For lighter users, downgrading to a 3 Mbps package could generate savings of close to $200 a year.

3) Buy Your Own Modem

Check to see if your internet provider charges you a monthly fee for modem rental. If so, buy your own modem instead. You’ll recoup the cost quickly and then save on ongoing costs.

4) Switch Providers

If the threat of leaving you made earlier didn’t work and you have found a superior deal, switch providers. You’ll often benefit from an attractive introductory rate for the first year.

Many consumers switch providers every year or so to benefit from this, although we wouldn’t recommend that strategy. It’s much trouble for too little reward.

If you feel you could get better value elsewhere, vote with your feet.

5) Constantly Monitor Local Deals

To find internet providers in your area, you need to do little more than monitor the websites of the major ISPs to see whether they operate in your state of residence.

Stay aware of what the competition is  pricing and don’t hesitate to switch ISPs if you feel you would be better served elsewhere.

OK…

With some minor savings made on your internet, how can you achieve further cuts with cable?

6 Ways To Save Money on Cable

1.     Trim Your Package

2.     Buy Your Own Modem

3.     Scrutinize Fees

4.     Consider Whether You Really Need a DVR

5.     Cut The Cord Completely

6.     Bundle Cable and Internet

1) Trim Your Package

The first and most obvious saving you can make on cable is to ditch the premium channels. Kiss goodbye to HBO and Showtime, and you could pay $30 a month less. You can always resubscribe if you change your mind.

This Nielsen study shows that the average American adult watches no more than 20 channels. Ask yourself if you could trim some fit to cut back the monthly bill.

2) Buy Your Own Modem

If you’re being charged monthly to rent a cable modem, buy your own instead. Just like with an internet modem, you’ll recoup the modest cost in short order then save month-on-month.

3) Scrutinize Fees

Check your bill closely and ask for clarification of any fees you’re unclear about.

While many fees are unavoidable, you could sidestep some unnecessary charges simply by examining your bill and following up with a call to customer care.

4) Consider Whether You Really Need a DVR

Is it imperative that you record TV shows?

You could easily save $10 a month if you get rid of the DVR so ask yourself how much priority you place on the convenience of recording TV.

5) Cut The Cord Completely

Now, the extreme way to save money on cable is not to have a cable package at all.

These days, with platforms like Netflix offering such cheap subscriptions and first-class programming, there’s no need to have cable. Grab a digital antenna for broadcast TV then opt for a cord-cutting package for much less money than your cable.

6) Bundle Cable and Internet

For anyone reluctant to cut the cord completely, you could take advantage of bundle deals for cable and internet.

All major providers offer combination deals. You can throw in phone service, too.

As with any package deal, you should get better value without a reduction in performance.

Final Thoughts

If you have any secrets on saving money for internet or cable, drop us a line and share the savings.

Bookmark our site before you go and we’ll see you soon.

With almost 30 billion IoT devices in use worldwide and 90% of Americans owning a smart device, this convenience comes with an inbuilt problem...

All those smart devices in our homes need a brisk internet connection to bring out the best in them. From your video doorbell and security lights to your voice-controlled smart TV and WiFi thermostat, all these devices demand seamless WiFi connectivity.

When you’re searching for ISPs, you should consider whether regular WiFi will suffice or if you need a faster fiber connection. Take the amount of data you need into account and choose an unlimited package if necessary.

Beyond this and as a general rule of thumb, avoid the very cheapest bundles as they typically won’t give you the speeds and reliability you need for a household packed with smart devices.

Rather than confusing you with a wide array of choices, we’ve got two suggestions for you if you want quick, dependable home WiFi:

• AT&T

• Spectrum

AT&T

If you’re looking for gigabit-speed internet and you don’t mind committing to a one-year contract, have you considered AT&T? The number one US internet provider for customer service and overall satisfaction, this ISP is well worth considering if you have a home stuffed with smart tech.

With DSL plans, you could be stuck with slower download speeds. Fiber packages, though, offer speeds of 940 Mbps if available in your area.

If you’re a data monster, you should avoid those DSL connections as they come with a data cap.

Key Benefits

• Speeds to 100 Mbps

• Cheap modem and router rental fees

• Impressive and responsive customer care

Downside

• You’ll need to commit to a one-year contract

Spectrum

Are you resistant to the idea of locking yourself into a contract for home internet? Well, with Spectrum you don’t need to. Cancel at any time with no prohibitive early redemption fees.

Packages come with a free modem and anti-virus software so you can keep your home network fully secured. This is vital if you plan to install smart devices. As an aside, you should regularly reset your router if you’re using smart devices to protect yourself against malware.

Add streaming services to your internet connection for a complete package. Internet speeds are close to gigabit territory so you can easily accommodate a suite of smart kit.

Key Benefits

• Super-swift speeds to 940 Mbps

• One-hour installation window

• Streaming services available

Downside

• Limited availability of 940 Mbps speeds

Final Thoughts

All that counts when you’re looking for the best internet providers for smart devices is finding the smoothest fit for you and your ecosystem. If you live alone and have just a smart doorbell, you won’t have the same priorities as a large family with heavy download habits and a sprawling connected home.

So, think about speed as well as contract length and any penalty charges. Make sure any data caps in place are acceptable or seek all-you-can-eat packages if you don’t want those restrictions.

We would suggest starting your search with AT&T or Spectrum but you should also consider any other options with a solid reputation in your area.

Get all these things right and you’ll have no problem finding the best internet provider for your needs.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Spectrum

With download speeds outflanking Comcast and Cox, Spectrum’s cable internet service gives speeds touching 940 Mbps in the following areas:

• Austin, TX

• Charlotte, NC

• Cincinnati, OH

• Kansas City, MO

• New York, NY

• Oahu, HI

• Raleigh, NC

• San Antonio, TX 

Elsewhere in the US, expect to hit speeds from 200 to 940 Mbps according to the manufacturer’s website.

Whether you want Spectrum TV, an internet-only service, or an all-inclusive package extending to your phone, what else should you know about this cord-cutting company?

Today, we’ll highlight 5 things you might not know about Spectrum so you can assess whether this ISP’s product line might be worth exploring further.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Spectrum

1. You won’t be tied into a restrictive contract

2. Super-swift downloads with speeds nudging 1000 Mbps in some areas

3. Take advantage of one-hour installation window to save waiting around all day

4. Streaming service available if you have a Spectrum internet connection

5. Spectrum offer robust business plans for less than you might imagine

1) You won’t be tied into a restrictive contract

With most ISPs, you must commit to a long-term contract to benefit from keener prices. While you might get a short-term discount, what happens if unexpected circumstances mean you want to cancel that contract? With many providers, you’ll face stiff early redemption penalties.

Spectrum offers you internet services you can easily cancel at any stage but this flexibility comes at a cost. Expect price increases once your promotional rate expires after the first year. Price hikes vary from customer to customer.

There’s only one internet plan available - more on the impressive speeds right below - along with on-demand TV, and a bundle. Whichever you choose, you can stop your subscription at any time with no questions asked.

You’ll get a free modem and free antivirus software along with uncapped data usage and commendable speeds on the download.

If you’re tempted to try the streaming service but you’re not sure if you’d like it, you have nothing much to risk as you can just cancel the package at any stage.

Now, a bit more on those speeds…

2) Super-swift downloads with speeds nudging 1000 Mbps in some areas

In today’s households crammed with gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart devices, who isn’t looking for brisk internet speeds?

Spectrum delivers the quickest starting speeds for the money with some areas benefiting from gigabit internet and blistering speeds of 940 Mbps.

Whether you’re a heavy online gamer looking for a lag-free experience, or you work from home doing lots of heavy lifting for your SEO company, get speeds to suit with Spectrum.

3) Take advantage of one-hour installation window to save waiting around all day

What’s one of the worst things about switching internet service providers?

For us, it’s waiting around all day for installation with no fixed time arranged. You could take the entire day off only to find the technician arrives at 7pm.

With Spectrum, you’ll be issued with a set time and a guarantee the technician won’t be delayed by more than one hour. While not perfect, this allows you to block off your day more easily to accommodate installation.

4) Streaming service available if you have a Spectrum internet connection

While Spectrum TV Stream is a nimble and affordable streaming platform, you’ll need a Spectrum internet connection to take advantage of this service.

Priced at just $44 monthly, you’ll get access to over 200 channels you can watch across your devices using the Spectrum TV app. Premium viewing ranges from HBO and SHOWTIME to STARZ and The Movie Channel.

If you’re looking for entertainment on the go, access up to 30,000 on-demand TV shows on any connected device.

As with all Spectrum services, you won’t need to panic about locking yourself into a lengthy commitment. You can bail out at any time and for any reason.

5) Spectrum offer robust business plans for less than you might imagine

Spectrum internet is not limited to residential packages.

The baseline package gives more than acceptable speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This is priced at a competitive $59.99 monthly. Spectrum recommends this package for up to 10 users with moderate needs.

You can step things up to cater for more users with the top $249.99 package ideal for up to 40 heavy users transferring lots of data.

The added kicker is that the streaming services make a neat bolt-on for many business owners in the hospitality industry. Get all you need in one simple bundle rather than dealing with multiple providers.

Final Thoughts

What are your thoughts on Spectrum now you have a snapshot of their offerings?

If you’re looking for quick internet and a solid streaming service under one roof, Spectrum is well worth exploring further. You won’t face any fees if you want to cancel and you’ll get generally responsive customer care.

As with all decisions about ISPs, yours will be largely dictated by the best providers in your area. We hope you’ve found some useful pointers about Spectrum here today and good luck finding the best ISP for your needs.

February 10, 2020

02/10/2020

Hey there Internet Explorers!  Here are some quick hits about what is going on in the world of broadband internet, satellite internet and internet service providers.

·      The Broadband Space Race is on:  

o   Last Thursday, February 6, 2020, a rocket was sent into space with the intent of changing up the landscape of what internet providers can offer from a speed and availability standpoint.  No its not AT&T, Comcast (Xfinity), Spectrum or some other big cable company trying to dominate the airwaves.  Instead, the rocket was equipped with several of hundreds of satellites to be deployed by OneWeb Satellite and SpaceX.  The goal of this and future launches is to cast a web of hundreds of satellites circling the globe aimed at giving high speed 5G internet access to each and every person on the planet.  Believe it or not, there are still rural parts of the United States that have very little access to high speed internet.  These folks have had to resort to satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat to be able to provide them internet access.  Not to be outdone, HughesNet and Viasat are planning to harness the power of their existing network as well as new innovations to ensure they stay on top of the satellite internet game.  More on that to come in the near future…

·      Not as many people have Access to High Speed Internet as previously thought:

o   According to a PC Magazine article It looks like the FCC may have botched how it reported the number of Americans who have access to broadband high speed internet.  Believe it or not the article states over 42 million people don’t have internet fast enough to stream their favorite shows on Netflix. 

·      Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: 

o   Yaaay! Faster internet for all.  In January 2020, the FCC decided to allocate over 10 Billion in funding to help provide fast internet to the rest of the United States.   The Rural Digital Opportunity fund will create jobs, opportunity and most important of all the ability of all Americans to be able to binge watch their shows on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.  

·      Down goes Spectrum:

o   Spectrum High Speed Internet television and phone service came to an abrupt halt over the weekend leaving many of their customers upset, frustrated and disconnected from the online world.  This affected areas of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and various other cities and states on the North East Coast.  It seems as though bad weather was to blame.  I just hope those customers had their DVR’s filled or old DVD’s to help pass the time trapped in their homes.  

Updated: 09/01/2020 to include AT&T's new Streaming Service.

Spectrum TV VS AT&T TV, Spectrum Enters The Streaming Arena.

updated: September 1, 2020

There’s a good chance you didn’t know this, but Spectrum (aka Charter Communications) launched their TV streaming service called Spectrum TV Stream and Spectrum TV Choice for internet only and customer who have an internet and home phone bundle. 

More and more consumers are choosing to cut the cord. This is made easier with a growing number of meaningful alternatives to the cable on the market.

Spectrum TV Choice and Spectrum TV Live were tested on select customers in certain areas of the US back in 2018. While that looked encouraging, when the offer was rolled out, it was limited to customers with a Spectrum internet connection. The service remains that way in 2020 so it’s not open to everyone.

We’ve covered Spectrum’s internet plans in a previous post. You can expect download speeds to 1000 Mbps. Choose from internet only, double play (internet and TV) or triple play (internet, TV, and phone) packages. Most Spectrum reviews are favorable.

So, what makes the Spectrum streaming service stand out in a crowded field?   

What Makes Spectrum Streaming Service Different?

Since Spectrum TV Choice is essentially a closed service, it’s tough to dig up information. We’ve done the hard work for you, though.

The all-new Stream TV app is intuitive and easy to use even if you’re not the biggest tech lover. This app allows you to take full advantage of your TV lineup along with 50,000 on-demand shows. Use your smartphone or connected devices like X-Box One, or Samsung Smart TV to watch programs home and away.

You get a generous choice of broadcast networks from Freeform and FX to CNN and Fox.

You get a reasonable spread of sports and news channels including ESPN and NBC Sports Network with Spectrum’s streaming service. There’s a weak selection of regional sports channels so diehard fans might be disappointed.

Here’s the full list of Spectrum TV stream channels right here.

Update:  Comcast Xfinity, CenturyLink, and AT&T all have offerings of their own. None of the big cable companies offer a standalone streaming service. AT&T offers a standalone streaming app, formerly known as DirecTV Now, and renamed to ATTTV.  Click the AT&T TV link to check out our comprehensive review on AT&T's new streaming service which looks to replace both Uverse and DirecTV as AT&T's premier video offering. 

Spectrum Stream’s Pricing & Setup

How much do Spectrum streaming packages run you, then?

Well, according to the LA Times, Spectrum TV Stream starts at $25 monthly. There’s no official price on Spectrum’s site, so you’ll have to contact them directly for an official quote.

Great news for cord-cutters: you won’t need a cable box unless you need DVR functionality. If you want a box, this costs $20 monthly.

So, while $25 seems reasonable value, if you bundle a box and some premium channels, Spectrum streaming suddenly gets a little more expensive. Remember, too, that you’re already paying for your Spectrum internet plan on top of this.

The $25 monthly fee is valid for the first two years of service. After this promo period is over, the price rises to $30 monthly.

The bottom line, you can expect to pay around $100 monthly all-in for Spectrum internet and Spectrum streaming services.

When compared to other streaming services like DirecTV Now, Hulu Plus, and YouTube TV, Spectrum’s TV Stream comes up short.

The Verdict

Firstly, you need to be an existing Spectrum customer. We’re assuming you are if you’ve read this far. If you are and you’re prepared to accept the limitations of this service, specifically with regard to sports, Spectrum TV stream might be a smart bet.

Just like with their fully flexible internet plans, there’s no long-term contract to sign, and there are no early termination fees to worry about either. Sign up and pay as you go with no headaches.

If you’re looking for something to replace your cable package, this is not the product for you (at least not now). Spectrum streaming channel selection is limited so you’ll be unlikely to cover all your viewing needs.

Check out some of the reviews for Frontier and ATT internet service here.  To find out more about streaming Netflix on satellite internet like HughesNet or Viasat, make sure to click the link and to explore our blog.  

Also, if you have any questions about satellite internet service review, make sure to read our comprehensive review. 

If you’re looking to switch to Spectrum internet to take advantage of their TV Stream deal, contact us at 1(888)376-0753 today, or search your zip code and check for Spectrum offers are in your area!

For fans of streaming media services like Hulu Plus, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Now, Spectrum’s service will seem familiar, but there are quite a few differences.

Update:  Since this article was first written Spectrum finally launched its Spectrum streaming app.  This app gives you access to a whole array of content from your phone which includes 50,000 On Demand TV shows and movies.  The coolest part about this app is that it connects to the other devices in your home including Roku, Xbox One and Samsung Smart TV amongst others.