<p>OK, in NJ, we have a bunch of choices for service: Verizon, Optimum online, DirectV, etc.</p>
<p>Son, moving into a new off campus apt, is perplexed.
Is it Comcast or nothing? They are expensive, annoying, piling on installation fees to an apt that had their service active up till 2 days ago, etc etc.
They seem to have the monopoly,</p>
<p>He wants fast internet but TV can be rather basic.
Any help is appreciated!</p>
<p>MM - Believe it or not, there’s a law in CT that cable companies may offer service anywhere in the state. As your son is finding out, “may offer” is different from “offer.” If I recall correctly, there is one sliver in Fairfield County where residents have a choice of cable providers.</p>
<p>At least your S has cable in his apartment. There have been cases where apartment owners refuse to wire their buildings unless they get compensated. And very few apartment owners are going to permit a DirectTV or DISH antenna to be mounted on the outside of their property.</p>
<p>I live 2 towns west of Hartford. We have phone, TV, & internet with Comcast. We really haven’t had any problems. I just checked on the availability of AT&T service – the TV service hasn’t hit this area yet. But, it may be worth checking for your S’s specific address.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion, Blinker.
It isn’t even the service price per month that is getting me ($99 for the ‘triple play’) but the absurd installation fees- $124- to activate service to an apt already set up for Comcast since previous tenant just disconnected it.
In NJ, the providers clamor to find new customers and offer good packages and ‘free’ boxes to connect to TV, modems, etc and waive installation fees.
Each year, I can negotiate a new package with my current provider just by mentioning alternatives that I really am considering.<br>
We had cable for many years. Then they dropped my Yankee channel. Switched to Directv. Two years ago, Directv supplied us with HD/DVR equipment to continue service with them. About time to call them again. The retention dept is my friend.</p>
<p>BUT, different state where son is…so we’ll pick the best that comcast is offering and pay the dopey one time installation and equipment charges.</p>
<p>musicmom, a few years back (06-07) when son was in a studio apartment, it was ComCast only. This was Hartford proper. Took 6 months to resolve a billing error.</p>
<p>Things may have changed. Good luck.</p>
<p>Might need it, Violadad.
ATT was an option for internet but not TV, so comcast it is.
During the ordering process online, the system added in $125 for installation.
The chat window to the ‘analyst’ assured us that it was really ‘only’ $25 each for internet and TV, so $50 total. Wonder if there will be a billing error for that $75 difference.</p>
<p>Hopefully, son will study the first bill to find any problems.</p>
<p>Be lucky you can have Comcast! We’re north of Htfd and can have Cox, Cox, or Cox if we want cable. Terrible option. Actually, I think in some spots (not mine) you can get ATT u-verse. My mom switched from Dish to U-verse and seems to like it (she’s across town). We have Dish (which is linked to ATT, it’s all on one bill including internet).</p>
<p>We live three towns away from Hartford. We have our internet, cell phones, and land line though ATT…and we have a BASIC cable package through Charter (which is the cable company in our area). For US it was cheaper to bundle everything else…and just get the TV through the cable company. Worth checking.</p>
<p>I did come across Charter in my search…
He decided that the path of least resistance was to go with comcast for just internet and TV. If ATT had offered TV at his address, it would have been an option.</p>
<p>He’s only planning on being at this apt till next May when he will graduate.
Don’t know what the future holds but right now, he says he’s coming back to NJ, though maybe not ‘home’.</p>