Which is better Cable and DISH? A Comparative Study of Cable and Satellite Television Companies
On the services provided to consumers for pay TV services, people usually are left with two major choices which are cable and satellite. The two largest satellite television providers are DISH and DIRECTV. The way that Cable TV is available from many of the regional cable companies. The decision between the two is not a difficult one and is influenced by some factors.
Channel Selection
When it comes to pay TV, one of the key aspects that are most often considered by customers is the number of channels available. All the leading cable and satellite operators presently provide similar packages including the ones that provide 200 plus channels. However, depending on the cable supplier, the specific channels that make up the channel lineup may be different. For instance, DISH provides more programs in other languages important to foreigners residing in the country. Unfortunately, most of the major cable systems do not have BBC America and Anglophiles might be better off with satellite. If you are one of the sports freaks then just try to compare regional sports networks.
Cable and satellite also enable the clients to select their preferred package of channels while eliminating those they do not need since they will only be paying for what they frequently use. Flex Pack from DISH begins at $29.99/month for a package that comes with roughly 50 channels of programming. Telecommunications companies also offer similar low-price offers for cable channel tier packages.
Equipment and Installation
You will normally require a box from the cable company for every television set in your home for use with cable TV. Further boxes commonly come at $5-15 per month in terms of rent. It should be noted that installation may involve sewing of cables inside your house.
DISH relies on the only external satellite dish in the customer’s home. You then have small receivers connected to each inside TV. Satellite dishes may be viewed as unsightly by some homeowners or even banned by homeowners’ associations. However, installers can sometimes hide them away from the view of the consumer’s eyes, which is an added advantage. Satellite equipment, in general, is less conspicuous than cable equipment. Another unique aspect is that customers themselves own the equipment provided by DISH instead of leasing it and paying out money in the long run.
Reliability
Satellite TV signals can be affected by harsh weather such as storms, rain, or snow while cable TV goes on with normal transmission. When choosing satellite Internet service, one should remember that they occasionally experience interruptions, though this is not very frequent, especially if you live in an area where storms are a common occurrence. It is even difficult to partially blame AT&T, as the reliability of the connection depends more on your local cable provider. It needs to be mentioned that large cable companies provide services that are often quite similar and uniform. The regional ones, unfortunately, can be slow when it comes to serving customers during the rush hour.
Internet Bundles
Taking the cable TV and internet bundle is good because you can get services from two companies at a cheaper price than if you were to get the services from two different companies. Today, many cable companies provide Internet service at a minimum of broadband speeds. Finally, DISH does not offer home internet access but has arrangements with these providers such as AT&T offers above. Check your current internet service provider’s prices and speeds for bundled services and compare them with others in your region.
HD Programming
High definition or HD as it is commonly referred to is now a standard for most of the programming that is aired. Today all satellite and cable providers feature the provision of HD channels, as well as DVR equipment to record programs. Compared to the previous cable systems, some of the benefits of satellite systems include the fact that the channels are not compressed and are broadcasted in both Standard Definition and High Definition concurrently. Satellite is completely clear meaning that all the channels as well as the pictures that are transmitted are in the best high definition. Despite the developments in technology, some cable companies still use a portion of the channel to broadcast signals in analog.
Customer Service Reputation
As with most cable companies, customers have long been complaining about the lack of adequate customer service. In consumer surveys, it is usually placed among the lowest in industries for service quality, This is because firms such as Satellite TV providers including DISH normally receive higher ratings and fewer complaints regarding issues such as billing, response to customers, and frequency of technician access. However, it is important to understand that experiences do not necessarily have to be the same when it comes to specifics within different locations. Customers should ensure that they use this opportunity to do their homework on their specific cable providers.
Pricing and Fees
Promotional offers complicate the comparison of cables and satellite’s price since the former offer introductory offers. Typically, there are base TV packages with costs ranging from $50-$70 monthly with the availability of 140-200+ channels. The internet bundles are another weakness of cable, satellite is $15-25 cheaper ongoing for equivalent content once the promotions expire. Other charges that apply may include regional sports fees and broadcast consent fees which are quite expensive. And be careful – both industries provide various additional and often concealed fees. Compare prices after 12-24 months of service to get the real general price for the total month.
Contract Commitments
Cable television, especially satellite television, comes with conditions whereby the customer has to commit to two years if they want to get the promised prices and installation offers. Cable does not offer contracts when you subscribe to their service, but they offer bundle services. Dish does have a no-contract Flex Pack that may include fewer channels than the other two packs and costs $29.99 monthly. Decide if it is better to lock in contracts because that is the only way to get the best rates. Trust violations result in penalties as well as fees for returning the equipment.
Accessibility
Due to the open southern sky access on which satellite relies, not every property can avail of DISH service. Some of them include blocking objects such as the tallest tree or building in the path of the dish’s vision will hinder installation. Sometimes, mountainous regions have problems getting good signals, and this is mostly apparent when the customers reside in rural regions. Wired infrastructure Cable networks are usually more accessible to people in general as compared to wireless networks. Satellite is also required in apartments, and one has to have the permission of the property owner in this case as well.
Therefore, despite its merits, DISH is not infallible, and one can also find its demerits similar to those of cable. Issues separated involve equipment requirements more by cable, internet bundling, reliability where the cable is favored, and customer satisfaction inclined to the satellite. Comparing the channel line, price, and service reputation of your home to your locality will guide you in determining the best between cable and DISH. Try to consider these factors while searching for pay-TV providers to make an optimal decision.
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