Entouch service at Westheimer Lakes North (Howe: new home, purchase, living)

[RVD26]

We just went under contract on a home at Westheimer Lakes North over the weekend.
However, I was almost horrified to hear that some company called Entouch was the only cable and internet provider in the area and that I had to pay for it b/c the homes are already pre-wired for it.
A quick search on here has turned up not so good things about them, but the posts are a little dated.
Their website does not look very promising as well.
I will still use DirecTV for my TV service on the main TVs in the living room and bedroom.
I will probably use Entouch for the TVs in the other rooms, though.
Can anyone tell me what kind of service I can expect from Entouch at WLN?
What speed internet are people automatically signed up for?
I currently use AT&T DSL and am happy for the most part.
What about their cable service?
Are there any other alternatives at WLN?
Anyone know if FIOS or U-verse is on its way anytime soon?

[Elijah2009]

my friend lives at westhmer lakes on the richmond side.. they also use entouch.. doesnt seem to have any problem with them.. i ask them if entouch offers international channel, they said entouch do..

i also signed a contract with WLN this the weekend.. we will be neighbors..
waiting for the design center to call us this week.. =)

our lot is right in front of the recreation/park..

[Dougishere2]

As far as the Alarm Monitoring in the business Entouch is call NoTouch. I havn't heard any thing about the cable service.

[RVD26]

Originally Posted by Dougishere2

As far as the Alarm Monitoring in the business Entouch is call NoTouch. I havn't heard any thing about the cable service.

So how bad is their alarm monitoring service?

[DSL_PWR]

Originally Posted by RVD26

We just went under contract on a home at Westheimer Lakes North over the weekend.
However, I was almost horrified to hear that some company called Entouch was the only cable and internet provider in the area and that I had to pay for it b/c the homes are already pre-wired for it.
A quick search on here has turned up not so good things about them, but the posts are a little dated.
Their website does not look very promising as well.
I will still use DirecTV for my TV service on the main TVs in the living room and bedroom.
I will probably use Entouch for the TVs in the other rooms, though.
Can anyone tell me what kind of service I can expect from Entouch at WLN?
What speed internet are people automatically signed up for?
I currently use AT&T DSL and am happy for the most part.
What about their cable service?
Are there any other alternatives at WLN?
Anyone know if FIOS or U-verse is on its way anytime soon?

We dealt with this when we were looking at new homes in communities that are tied up like that. You will still have to pay for their service even if you do not use it. Let me repeat, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY for entouch service even if you get another provider.

Here is the catch... The provider will had to have already run lines in that area to get permission to drop lines to your home. We went through this with several areas before backing off simply because I could not get the carrier of my choice so be careful.

Read up in their service, heard it is horrid..

[lane_change]

It is illegal to not allow you the choice of provider, but they can however require that you pay for their service regardless of wether or not you use it. If you want to go with any provider that is available in your area, then you can. Now if you want U-verse, and they are not available, then obviously you have to stick with Comcast, Dish, or Direct. I will be using Dish and Entouch for my house...Dish for the main rooms with HD, and Entouch for the other drops for basic cable. I hope their ISP is ok, I have Comcast now for internet and would hate to pay for internet twice...but I want good service, so we'll see.

[Dougishere2]

Originally Posted by RVD26

So how bad is their alarm monitoring service?

I have taken many many calls from entouch customers about their alarm service which was forced on them. Problems range from Alarm going off and never getting a call, to service issues that were never fixed. In a lot of communities this is becoming a problem. It is just another way for the builders to get a kick back from bundeling services.

[rubynicholson77056]

We too are building in WLN and when I spoke to Terri Nichols (the technology specialist for WL) she said that you are required to purchase BASIC cable, internet and security services for $64.00 a month which is paid annually each January ($768). You can purchase anything in addition from Entouch or whichever provider you choose, as long as you pay the annual fee for the basic services.

[Elijah2009]

Is this forever that we need to pay

[Dougishere2]

What is the break down of these sevices do you know?