Best Cable Provider in Norfolk (Chesapeake, Suffolk: credit, how much, house)

[SojChindo]

So, who is the best cable provider in Norfolk? I was hoping that Verizon Fios TV would already be available -- but not yet in my area. I am moving to East Beach in a week and need to decide on cable and internet.

Thanks!

[BikesareBetter]

Got Cox here in Norfolk. Your price can also depend on your credit history. I pay 14.95 MTHLY for High-Speed Internet though. I don't need to pay for TeeVEE. I surmise you could bundle both though for just a few dollars more

[gallowsCalibrator]

There are two main cable providers: Cox and Verizon.

Currently, I've got the full cox bundle (cable, high speed internet, phone) that has all channels and a DVR box. Runs me $130/month or so. If it wasn't for the extra channels and the DVR box, it'd only be $99 or so.

[Erma]

I waited for FIOS. Got the whole kit and kaboodle for 99 a month with unlimited long distance

[Trevor92]

In Norfolk I would definitely go with Cox. Verizon's FiOS is extremely limited in Norfolk so their "bundle package" would include DSL internet and DirecTV.

But I would also say go with Cox even if Verizon had FiOS in your area. I had FiOS hooked up for 2 weeks before cancelling. Cox's prices, for the services I needed, and customer service were a lot better (mainly regarding time on hold), and the quality is about equivalent. Now I've got Cox's Economy Speed internet and Digital Deluxe Cable (the one with 300 channels) with DVR for around $90, while Verizon's package with DVR and 2 receivers with their cheapest internet would have been around $125, making it even a little more than the bundle with phone service, but that's just my situation.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Trevor92

In Norfolk I would definitely go with Cox. Verizon's FiOS is extremely limited in Norfolk so their "bundle package" would include DSL internet and DirecTV.

But I would also say go with Cox even if Verizon had FiOS in your area. I had FiOS hooked up for 2 weeks before cancelling. Cox's prices, for the services I needed, and customer service were a lot better (mainly regarding time on hold), and the quality is about equivalent. Now I've got Cox's Economy Speed internet and Digital Deluxe Cable (the one with 300 channels) with DVR for around $90, while Verizon's package with DVR and 2 receivers with their cheapest internet would have been around $125, making it even a little more than the bundle with phone service, but that's just my situation.

Might be that much in norfolk, but I've got two receivers and pay 99, internet and the freedom package. I would say, if you don't have a home phone and live off your cell phone, then weigh the two with pricing. There are alot of offers from both companies that can get you a decent price and after your contract period, you save even more.
I like the individual home battery back up myself. Cox doesn't have that and that's okay too, depending on what you want.

[Trevor92]

Originally Posted by Erma

Might be that much in norfolk, but I've got two receivers and pay 99, internet and the freedom package. I would say, if you don't have a home phone and live off your cell phone, then weigh the two with pricing. There are alot of offers from both companies that can get you a decent price and after your contract period, you save even more.
I like the individual home battery back up myself. Cox doesn't have that and that's okay too, depending on what you want.

I'm in Va Beach, it's just that I've read in a couple places that Verizon was very late in getting a cable franchise in Norfolk and it's very limited in that city now. Even Suffolk is much further along, but the $99 must be some special promo, when the guy came out to our house to let us know FiOS was available, the cheapest bundle was $105 with 6-7 in various taxes + the DVR upgrade, and even a little less than just tv and internet... But I dunno, maybe it was just a little more going through him. But yeah I agree, bundles are more or less similar in price depending on the promo you can get. I think Cox being that much cheaper for me had to do with the Economy speed internet I chose while Verizon doesn't offer a slower, less expensive option. With Cox, I also feel like I support the local economy moreso with their call center and other operations in Chesapeake.

But that's interesting you liked the battery backup. It is a good way to watch tv when the power goes out! j/k. I always thought cell towers were required to have 8 hrs. of generator power, so the battery backup seemed a little silly to me and I kind of wish they didn't have to drill a hole in the wall for it. But hopefully as time goes on, they'll find a way to increase the battery time on it until it becomes indefinite as the copper lines were.

[Erma]

Oh contrar, I like the fact that you can acquire additional batteries! It's great to have your own uninteruptable power source. What's more, if you have a cell phone with Verizon, you have the option of having it included in your monthly statement vice a seperate bill and also an additional discount each month. Our neighbors had the same thoughts that you have, got rid of cox and all we hear from them is how much they like FIOS. As far as the hole in the wall....well, the cable has to come thru somewhere. We used the original cable hole, all they did was switch out the wall plate.

[Trevor92]

At least we can agree that options and competition is a good thing and different people have different opinions. And I definitely think the competition gives both providers reasons to improve in terms of service, price, and customer service.

They both struck me as very comparable services, both of which are fiber-optic based. If you compare equivalent services, such as digital deluxe cable to fios cable, and equivalent internet speeds, there's very little difference. My neighbor also seems really happy with FiOS, but she had Cox's analog cable and Economy internet so it's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. So just for me, Verizon's long hold times with customer support (45 mins the day I cancelled), and Cox's lower-priced alternatives just tipped the balance for me, and would still cause me to recommend Cox, for those asking for a recommendation.

But we didn't have a spare cable outlet to run the battery backup line, and I don't ever remember the power being out that long here, so it's just unnecessary imo. And Verizon Wireless would be much more expensive for us also where they don't offer early nights or anything like my faves, so a small discount to bundle the bill wouldn't be of much use.

[SojChindo]

Great feedback... thanks everyone.

I decided to do something wild and crazy and not bundle services! Instead, I opted for entry-level FIOS internet (10/2 speed - with max download speeds twice as fast as Cox preferred) and Cox' Digital Deluxe Plus Cable package with High Def DVR. When everything was said and done, I came out just slightly over the cost of a bundled package.

At least it should be easier to switch services if either disappoints me...