Ways To Trim Your Telecom Bills

The then best choice for many households for bundled services is a highly rated cable company just as Cox or Cablevision. If TV service is a priority and Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse aren't available in your area, satellite providers DirecTV or Dish Network received above-average survey scores.

The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Innovation Center, revealed that most major providers scored about the same in satisfaction as in recent years — so-so compared with other services the magazine rates. Once again, the most satisfying telecom providers were a few small, regional cable companies, and Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse, the high-speed phone-company offerings.

The trouble is

The trouble is, according to CR, most consumers have a limited choice. All nevertheless a few markets are served by only one cable provider. Yet there are bright spots. Some newer alternatives received favorable marks in CR's survey, including the Ooma phone service, which offers free domestic calling and dirt-cheap international rates.

Phone service from a major carrier makes sense for many households, especially if it's bundled with Internet and TV service at a nice discount. However changing or eliminating such home-phone service can be a practical way to slash telecom bills. If you drop home phone services from a major carrier and use one of the options below, you could save $20 a month or more.

The small cable operator WOW

The small cable operator WOW was top rated across the board for Internet service, significantly ahead of highly rated providers just as Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse for overall satisfaction. Ways to save here include: