Cable television is facing increasing competition from other types of communications, such as satellite television and even computer sites such as Netflix. With all these options available now, this is a good opportunity to look at the pros and cons of cable television. In this article, I will look at three positive and three negative points about cable television to help you make an informed decision.
Advantage # 1: Stability
Cable TV is particularly stable. Both traditional air waves and modern satellite television can and will cut you off during any serious storm (and often during some not very serious storms). The cable, on the other hand, will be released only if there is some kind of error in the overall system, for example, a broken cable or a router. This will happen much less frequently than showers, so cable television will provide much more consistent service.
Advantage # 2: Combine
Special offers are often available by combining your cable television with other services in one package, usually on the Internet and on the phone, but sometimes services such as cell phones. These packages can actually save you some money, especially if you combine all three typical services together. It also provides the convenience of using a single account.
Advantage number 3: Price
Cable TV can really be quite inexpensive if you don't add too many options. The initial equipment costs are fairly inexpensive compared to the satellite, and the FCC requires all cable companies to provide a basic cable package consisting of broadcast channels and several local channels. As a result, cable television can be the cheapest form of television from buying an antenna.
Drawback # 1: Annoying Monopolies
In many areas, there is only one cable TV provider, and this creates a monopoly. While competition with satellites is growing, the corporate culture of these monopolies is particularly poor. Customer service can be horrendous if not at all, and consumer satisfaction with cable television companies is consistently one of the worst among any companies in the United States.
Disadvantage # 2: confusing price packages
Many cable companies are very confusing when it comes to how much their services will actually cost in the long run. Many require you to register within two years to receive a one-year introductory transaction. However, you should really dig into your sites to find out how much the second year will cost. In other cases, there are hidden fees, rental payments and taxes.
Disadvantage # 3: Privacy
If you connect your cable TV to the Internet (and many people), you will have less online privacy. Cable Internet works with a stable IP address that does not change, so people can easily track your visits to their sites. Compare this with DSL, where you can easily reset your IP address by turning the modem on and off.
Given these advantages and disadvantages, you will be in a better position to decide on the choice of cable television.
