What tv, internet, and telephone providers should I get?

[it.]

I currently have cox communications as my provider for internet, tv, and landline. I've been pretty disappointed with Cox lately and I want to switch to another provider.
TV service: I pay around $75 for dvr service, hd channels, and a basic channel lineup (FX, TBS, CNN, MTV..., no NBA tv, BBC, HBO...). My cox DVR cannot hold many shows and doesn't have a lot of features.
Internet: I pay about $30 a month for internet service, but it is very unreliable. I constantly have to call up Cox to tell them to restore my connection. Even when I do have it, it's very slow. I only get around 1mb/s download.
Landline telephone: I barely ever use it but other members of my family still want to keep it because they want to keep the number. I pay around $20 a month but I get $10 off because I bundle it with other cox services.

I'm currently located in south orange county and I'm having trouble finding other service providers. I wouldn't even mind switching to things like magicjack or something like that. One solution for internet and phone would be getting an additional sprint line ($19.99 each additional line for the family plan; unlimited data, mobile to mobile, texting) and porting my landline number to that mobile line. My family could also use it for internet if I got an android device and downloaded pdanet. The only problem with that is sprint's service at my house is shaky and I often don't have service (airrave would solve phone problem but not internet). I wouldn't mind switching to a satellite provider for tv either. Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[cr3amy]

You have u-verse at your place? Check their availability site (google "att u-verse). I recently made the switch, and we're loving it. Faster internet, all the premiums, tons more sports, all for cheaper. And I know they have phone service, too.

 

[dtg755]

As a dish network employee I may be a little biased but I think their service is great and you can get she service and a decent channel package for around 40 for the first year...also, hd is now offered free for life which is awesome...as for internet I use att at my house and have had no problems with them and their prices are reasonable...probably better I'd bundled with something like a landline

 

[jdbower]

Why deal with a TV provider? I use FiOS (Verizon's U-verse) for Internet and phone (the latter because it's necessary), but don't bother with TV. With Hulu and NetFlix I've got all the content I can consume and with PlayOn I watch it all on a normal TV through my XBox. Saves me $100+ a month on cable and I can't imagine anything that would lure me back. As another plus, I get my mobile bill bundled together with my Internet so there's only one check to write each month (OK, one direct deposit - but still!).

 

[dtg755]

She should be dvr...stupid auto correct

 

[cr3amy]

but don't bother with TV. With Hulu and NetFlix I've got all the content I can consume and with PlayOn I watch it all on a normal TV through my XBox. Saves me $100+ a month on cable and I can't imagine anything that would lure me back.

Dude, Sports. And any programs that you watch live (awards shows, game shows, sports and of course, sports)... it's just not the same after-the-fact.

I'd also say commercial breaks are very important if watching tv with friends... it allows you time to mix drinks, grab beer from the fridge, talk, and/or take a piss. I notice that when I have friends over and we watch pre-downloaded tv, we get bored & distracted quickly. But with commercials, they usually only get skipped if it's a cliffhanger.

I mean, to each his own, but there's also something nice about being able to just turn on the tube and flip channels until you fall asleep.

She should be dvr...stupid auto correct

lol, click the "edit" button

 

[jdbower]

Different strokes I suppose... I despise sports (Can you blame me? I'm in Boston so it's nothing but Red Sox and Patriots). I didn't even know they still had game shows, I thought it was all reality TV these days. And when I've got friends over we've got better things to do than watch TV. Remember, PlayOn still has commercials (granted the breaks are shorter) and even with NetFlix shows the breakpoints are there as is the pause button. Losing shows I don't have any interest in and hitting pause every so often wasn't worth $100/month, but YMMV.

You can also check out some live webcasts of certain shows. Far from ubiquitous but it's there and will get bigger if you use it.

 

[FakeArShui]

Does you mention your location?

 

[anon(52425)]

FIOS! I love FIOS. Stay away from Comcast at all costs.

 

[volcom.airsoft]

I currently have cox communications as my provider for internet, tv, and landline. I've been pretty disappointed with Cox lately and I want to switch to another provider.
TV service: I pay around $75 for dvr service, hd channels, and a basic channel lineup (FX, TBS, CNN, MTV..., no NBA tv, BBC, HBO...). My cox DVR cannot hold many shows and doesn't have a lot of features.
Internet: I pay about $30 a month for internet service, but it is very unreliable. I constantly have to call up Cox to tell them to restore my connection. Even when I do have it, it's very slow. I only get around 1mb/s download.
Landline telephone: I barely ever use it but other members of my family still want to keep it because they want to keep the number. I pay around $20 a month but I get $10 off because I bundle it with other cox services.

I'm currently located in south orange county and I'm having trouble finding other service providers. I wouldn't even mind switching to things like magicjack or something like that. One solution for internet and phone would be getting an additional sprint line ($19.99 each additional line for the family plan; unlimited data, mobile to mobile, texting) and porting my landline number to that mobile line. My family could also use it for internet if I got an android device and downloaded pdanet. The only problem with that is sprint's service at my house is shaky and I often don't have service (airrave would solve phone problem but not internet). I wouldn't mind switching to a satellite provider for tv either. Do you guys have any recommendations?

I live near OC ! I recommend Fios for all 3. Might be a little pricier, but it is totally worth it ! Seriously, I had Direct TV and all of the channels were scrambled, Fios has an on demand center, and the DVR + HD box is great ! I also have the internet which is really fast.

 

[anon(41073)]

FIOS! I love FIOS. Stay away from Comcast at all costs.

Totally agree!

 

[anon67808]

DIRECTV. Nothing better, hands down.