Seems likely, , , , I need to call them and have a talk on Monday, , , ,

This past week I sent them an email about changing my service and internet. We currently have BlightHouse's "Premier" TV with the standard 25Mbps internet (internet provider is officially Earthlink). The email asked about changing to Speculum's standard "TV Select" programming and Speculum's standard internet (60Mbps). Speculum's "TV Select" is 125 channels, BlightHouse's "Premier" is 150 or 175 channels. Specifically told them that we did not want "Phone" or DVR. We currently pay $129 a month, which includes a couple "boxes", etc., and all fees and taxes. Speculums replied that the new monthly charge would be $144!! Well, OK, "better" internet, but "less" TV. All for a monthly increase of only $15! A 12% increase!!??

Oh, and, , , , what is "strange" about all of the above is that IF I was a NEW customer, , , , I could get 175+ channels, 60Mbps internet, DVR, phone (land line), plus HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and NFL Network for $110 a month, before fees and taxes, "for 12 months"!~ ???????

More to follow.


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Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/10/2016 at 07:24 PM by dingpatch

Good luck.  AT&T is flogging DirectTV, which they bought.  They are promoting it as a lower-cost alternative for those who whould otherwise drop cable TV.  Or something like that.

Indian River County has a choice of AT&T with "fast" internet that seems like old dial-up and Comcast that I've clocked at 89 Mbps.  I'm cutting cable to basic service and finally getting rid of the landline.  Ting?

Speculum is pushing their phone service. "Unlimited Calling". Blah, blah. Canada & Mexico. Blah, blah.

And, whenever I have talked to Blighthouse they find it hard to believe that I can live without DVR service. "SELL DVR" must be in 36 point Bold on their call script.

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Dora Hates You

If you want to retain a landline for any reason, Ooma is not a bad choice. Once you buy their box, you pay nothing except your local monthly utility tax ($3-$4). A little bit more if you want HD voice and some extra features. Cell coverage is not great at my house, so I keep the landline for work telecons from home. Running it over the BlightHouse 60 Mbps connection.

What sucks is how much good TV you can get online if you have a decent internet connection, but BH prices the internet ridiculously high if you're not buying something else (TV, phone) with it.

Don't have DVR? wow. dark ages!!!

DVR? What's that?

No home phone here and my channels are OTA.
There are so many programs I never saw ...
... or don't remember seeing

Already got two phone calls from BlightHouse/Speculum ...
.... one this morning, yes Sunday morning at 10am.

Told them I couldn't talk, that I was heading into church
to pray for cheaper rates.








-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Edited: 12/11/2016 at 09:29 AM by SunriseSurfer

Mrs. Dingpatch watches the Food Network and occasionally the Cooking Channel and Hallmark and/or Lifetime. We'll generally watch the news/weather; News 13, ABC, CNN. Nothing much more. The last "TV Show" we watched was Married With Children; before it was syndicated! We have no interest in HBO, etc.: we have watched Rocky III for the last time in our lives. Redbox meets our needs.

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Dora Hates You

Note that if you get Ooma (which I have found to be a great option for many years), you won't actually be getting a land line, per se.

At least not the kind of dedicated POTS land line that we used to think of where you had dedicated copper to the Telco.

Ooma is dependent on both your internet and your power being up. Either one goes out and Ooma is totally kaput.

Today on WOOT


Ooma Telo VoIP Home Phone System + Linx Wireless Accessory (Latest Version)
$69.99






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Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Dumb house sucks. Price fixing Monopoly!! Get an out door antenna And fire stick, hulu, etc.

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Style is what you make it!

You can put your Telo on a battery backup and you will only be dependent on your Internet. If you get a home line as part of a "package" it will be dependent on your internet/cable. 

i got a $28 dollar antenna from walmart 2 years ago. got chromecast last year. that's $14 a year for the rough equivalent of basic cable. i can cast any surfing contest or other sporting event that is live on the interweb to my TV. that cost was about $50 to purchase. i get bored with, or, don't want to watch anything, i read a book, practice chords, go do some diy on the house, walk the dog. total entertainment costs for the coming year: $9 plus $25.

peterg,

Yep, all very plausible lacking one very important consideration that you seem to miss! There is a female in this equation!!! God Help Me.

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Dora Hates You

yeh. the dawg dont give a damn what's on.

Doing some digging and reading and find that AT&T has been really pushing Direct TV because they are going to drop U-Verse like a turd, as soon as possible.

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Dora Hates You

Spectrum is a total scam. They offer three choices; no good channels for cheap, some good channels for expensive and a bunch of good channels for a fortune. Thery have two internet speeds, 60 and 300....that's it. Customer service blows the ole donkey pole.

As and added bonus, you can no longer pick and choose small packages like sports or Spanish channels. It's all or nothing.

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I was right.

The poor SOB next door to me is a hard core NFL junky; NFL Network and Red Zone, etc. He is straight up freaking out about Speculum's pricing. He only subscribes during the season, so he still has Blighthouse pricing through the rest of this season. He is already starting to go through pre-withdrawals thinking about next years pricing.

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Dora Hates You

My bad, but I had to make a "late" payment to Speculum. Guest what? Yep, the price went up.

I looked back at a previous Blighthouse late payment back in the beginning of last summer; $6.00 fee.

Now; $8.95.

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Dora Hates You

The real question is; since the merger is with Time Warner as well can you get live surf events that they get in Hawaii?

Do you want any lube with that speculum?

Just got off the phone, the guy was straightforward and honest, , , , he perfectly understood my viewpoint. BUT, , , ,

He did some checking and then told me that he was going to have to disappoint me even more than I already am! The previous email quote of $144 "missed" a "few" small "details"!!! The actual, correct, price as an existing customer would be $151 per month, for "basic" TV and "basic" internet, nothing else!!!!!!!!!!!! He said that he was very sorry to have to tell me that and that, , , , Speculum had eliminated the "old" Brighthouse "save" pricing specials that previously offered "deals" to existing customers in order to keep them. He is "keeping his fingers crossed" that they re-introduce the "save" pricing pretty soon. The Charter folks are pushing "new" service as if there is not any other current service providers and sort-of-like that "Cable TV" is something brand new in the States!

So, if, you are a "new" customer and you sign up for TV, internet and phone at $30 each per month for the first 12 months, before taxes, bend over and grab your ankles in that 13th month because you are going to get the speculum.

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Dora Hates You

So, , , , OK how about Cutting the Cord? I have an Apple TV 4th edition. So, I don't need another "box". Who has experience with streaming services like Sling, etc.? I do have a good HDTV antenna, but it don't get the Food Network. Mrs. Dingpatch would get a major Case of The Ass if I don't get Food Network!

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Dora Hates You

Haven't had cable in years. I use an Amazon FireTV box because I was already a Prime subscriber so now I get their video streaming too along with free shipping. Then I have Netflix and Sling subscriptions. Both have apps on the Amazon FireTV. SlingTV I cancel after college football season. Its super easy to cancel Sling or restart service. Just go online and sign in and hit cancel or subscribe. No calling anyone. I think Sling has Food Network. You'd have to check.
I also have an OTA antenna in the attic for the local channels. Haven't missed cable one bit.

Suckhouse used to be decent but with increased bandwidth demand, it has inhibited their dated infrastructure IMO.  They did a node split in my neighborhood (IHB) because their node couldnt handle the BW of 400 houses.  Ever since then, my streaming sucks.  Video is constantly out of sync and ahead of the audio.  I am waiting on AT&T fiber and then switching.  Even the cable tv has gone to crap with several channels having out of sync audio/video. 

Several suckwagons from Suckhouse(now Shitcom) have been to my house to try and place blame on me.  I had to use two tvs, two routers, two modems and two streaming devices to PROVE to them it was their issues.  Absolute waste of my time.  I go to my other house, no issues (thanks comcast).  I swear the name of the game is find a reason to say its the customer then leave.

In any case, before you cut cord, make sure your streaming works properly.  Mine used to be perfect, then they made changes and its now crap. 

I now download a movie to my harddrive and then watch it on my tv, versus streaming it through itunes or amazon prime. f

Oh and my bill keeps going up, so there's that.

-------------------------

If you want to hit a home run, you have to swing the bat.

Edited: 12/13/2016 at 06:10 PM by purefunk

Just switched to Spectrum from DirecTV (10 year customer). Really liked DirecTV and the programming but was out of contract and figured I could give them a try and bundle tv/internet. Had ATT Uverse Internet before and it was terrible so would never recommend that. BHouse internet is far better and stable. Not sure that this is the best deal but this is what I got: 4 DVR receivers, 1 HD receiver, HBO, Cine, Showtime and the other 175 channels i think for $185/mo. and no charge for installation. The only let down is that Spectrum doesn't offer whole-home DVR service. Each room has an independent DVR (2 shows at once each). So far so good just trying to learn this dang remote!

Dingpatch...Digital Antena, Internet provider (about 50$/month) and HDMI cable should be all you need....Free TV, including major stations out of Orlando and Stream the Food Network shows from PC to TV through HDMI (If TV has HDMI input).  I added Netflicks for some more options and lack of commercials.

 

Great way to watch Surf Contest on the big screen....HDMI from PC -> TV.

KODI on an Amazon Firestick and a good internet connection is all you need if you are looking to cut cable. I heard that the cable companies are moving to cloud based DVR service in the future.

Checked AT&T. Pricing is not "too" bad but, they have a 1TB monthly data cap. So, , , , how many hour long TV shows is that?

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Dora Hates You

The internets say that "HD Video" (720?) uses an average of 3GB per hour.

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Dora Hates You

.


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Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/27/2018 at 07:23 PM by dingpatch

Is that $64.99/mo still Spectrum internet only? I wish we had Verizon Fios service here. They were the best. High Speed Internet only was around $40, very fast/reliable, and excellent customer service.

Yes, internet only but, , , , they just "upped" it a dollar! Now $65.99.

Speedtest just clocked 119 down and 11.7 up.

Our total Sling bill (fees & taxes) is $33.97.

Oh and, finally upgraded to 4K TV for Christmas. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service's on-line site, Shop My Exchange, had a deal on a decent 55 inch Samsung for $397, no sales tax and free Fed Ex shipping! Hard wired the TV, Mac and our Apple TV up with Ethernet direct from the Airport Extreme router and everything works like a champ (no more WiFi issues).

And, for your viewing pleasure, one of the free streaming channels is The Surf Channel !!

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Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/30/2018 at 04:21 AM by dingpatch

Price is up again! Now $69.99 for internet only.

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Dora Hates You

Unless there's a way to bring in competition, broadband should be run like a public utility.

-------------------------
Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

And, now, , , , it seems that my monthly bill has increased by $3. But, my statement is currently "not available" to see online!

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Dora Hates You

Ah, another price increase, , , , it seems that the "digital adapter" has gone from $2 to $3.50 a month, and we have 2 of them.

Additionally, , , , I asked about stand-alone (no other services) 60Mbps internet, , , , $64.99 a month.

I have my own modem, although they say "free" modem, but I do not know if I could still use my own. I have my own Airport Extreme WiFi.

Sunrise, are you on the "old" Blighthouse plan, or did you "convert" to Speculum?

My current (average) down speed is 19Mbps, up is 2Mbps.

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Dora Hates You

Edited: 03/04/2017 at 10:30 AM by dingpatch

60Mbps internet $64.99 ??? WTF I want that price!!!

Not many options out there....
... and I've only got internet.

From my itemized bill...

Internet Standard.......$54
60MB Internet............$20
Echo Home Network....$6
Modem......................$4

Taxes........................$0.28

Total.....................$84.28


I am happy with my internet, but damn, ... what other choice???





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Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

I just got a $300 bill. There is a $49 additional monthly fee for something??

I can't wait to hear them explain this one!

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I was right.

Cole! It is a cleaning/sterilization fee for the speculum after its use on you.! LOL

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Dora Hates You

Sunrise, are you on the "old" Blighthouse plan, or did you "convert" to Speculum?


dingpatch...

... no, haven't changed a thing. Didn't convert. Afraid they will want more $$$$

May have to look into that ... thanks.






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Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Cole, what services do you have?

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Dora Hates You

Everything. I have had the bundle since the bundle began.

They offer no, zero, zip, zilch, nada breaks for long time customers.

I thought I had the gold plan with 60 bit net and landline, but the price is more along double diamond.

I watch soccer - England, Spain and Germany, and the only way to get the channels is to pay out the ass. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears.


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I was right.

Cole,

Seems to be a couple different ways to stream soccer. fuboTV looks to be at the top-of-the-pack.

fuboTV

live soccer tv

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Hot damn!

Time to tell Speculum to kiss my fuzzy beanbag!

-------------------------
I was right.

Cole, I'll ask Marc, but which teams do you follow? We have the full soccer package from direct tv, plus bein sports for the English premiership and I know it's not near that much. Some games (Brighton) we still have to stream through the computer. You're always welcome to borrow ours

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[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. ~Pat Robertson

Leicester City in the EPl.

QPR in the Championship.

Munich in Germany and Barca in Spain.

But I record and watch most every EPL match. It's less stressful to watch teams I don't care about.


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I was right.

I hear that - Brighton lost again yesterday and the tragedy was epic . I gave your wife a list of what we use to stream - and you're always welcome to come over and watch a match. . BTW, Marc is playing barefoot soccer in Satellite quite a lot these days - they're pickup games but a bit "gentler" because no one wants to get stepped on!

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[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. ~Pat Robertson

Didn't want to start a new post.. Any Spectrum customers on here experience audio issues with their cable? Most notably News 13 it happens all the time and some other random channels as well. I've gone back and forth with them with no results..... They keep telling me it was a signal outage in my area, but it has been happening daily since I switched from Direct TV.

Just looked at mine, $146 total for 60 Mbps internet, Standard TV, 3 adapters and a modem, plus taxes and stuff.
Have an Ooma box for landline (about $3/month?); use a T-Mobile 5-person family plan with 2GB LTE per person per month for everything else.

60 Mbps for $29.00 from Spectrum (1 year deal will re-eval when over), two digital antenas ($50.00 one time fee/2 TVs) and Netflix $9.00 month.

Current monthly total is $40.00 for about 15+ TV Channels over the air mostly out of orlando & Internet, use a HDMI cable to stream TV anything on the Web and Netflix when I want commercial free programs.  The one thing you will miss is that instanat ON, many times I am waiting for Web Broadcast to load or some other Internet "gliche"

.

Clunky, cheap, lots of wires , need a laptop, etc. and some boot up/loading time as compared to "turn remote on" and 100+ channels always to watch. Also miss the programming guide station now I have to use a web page to list shows, another boot & wait...  Still I'll suffer through all of this for $40 internet and TV bill..To be honest the Surfline Sebby Cam is usually streaming to the TV with Music on in the background, or the Pet Den Cam that is a nice relaxing one to have on in the background.

Edited: 03/07/2017 at 12:41 PM by SurferMic

I got Direct TV Now. Comes with all the channels I care about. Fox Sports, Vice, ESPN, I even added in a subscription to HBO. 

 

I think I'm paying around 45/month

I don't have that problem. My box recently went out, they came out the next day and replaced it. One thing for sure they do have good and quick customer service.

No sound issues with me either, but I've had them out twice to troubleshoot an intermittent net connection.They replace the outside wire to the house and the modem, but I'm still having issues.

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I was right.

I've had the net connection fixed as well. I keep requesting a new box, and when they come out the don't have one and go to their standard "signal outage" reply. Guess I need to just drive out there and switch my box out at their office.

Finally dropped Speculum TV today! Latest bill was $138. No more.

100 Mps internet is $64.99/month and my Sling is $30/month (includes some extra for Mrs. Dingpatch. Basic Sling is $25).

$43 a month savings.

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Dora Hates You

It's a monopoly. Should be a public utility.

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Capitalism is based on the ridiculous notion that you can enjoy limitless growth in a closed, finite system.

In biology, such behavior of cells is called "cancer".

Sling has more sports than I care to watch - surfing included - and it, combined with Prime and Netfilx, gives me more TV than I can ever watch for 1/3rd the cost of the Spectrum criminals.

I agree with Rusty on the internet. I pay for 100 bps, but I don't get 100 bps all of the time, yet I am charged a premium price for the service. That's bullshit.

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I was right.