Cox, At&T or Direct TV

[Paule4ou]

Had it with one of the three.....thoughts in the market. Best deal? fastest Internet speeds??

[kevinpate]

I know this has been kicked around several times here. I've had Uverse through ATT for about 3.5 years now. No major gritches.

[GaryOKC6]

We have had ATT and were switched to ATT Uverse internet since they upgraded our area. I like it a lot. I looked at cox and not only is their pricing not clear but they don't provide wifi like ATT Uverse. As far as TV I switched to Dish Network from Cox 6 years ago. I got more channels and cut my bill in half. Also no drastic rate increases like I had with Cox. Uverse TV is not in my area and I may consider it when available.

[jn1780]

Cox is the fastest internet when it works. lol A lot of times people think they need faster internet because there not getting good service from Cox. A bigger pipe doesn't help when their is nothing coming down the pipe. lol

[SoonerDave]

I have just ditched Cox phone service for my own free VOIP setup with Google Voice, using Cox Internet. I've had no problems with Cox Internet. Am getting really sick of sending them $$ each month for their cable offerings, although I'm not sure I wouldn't end up spending approximately the same money with Direct or Dish. Was looking forward to Cox getting a whole home DVR, but they've found a way to make that too expensive by forcing their own installs plus charging a DVR fee for each "satellite" box tied to the host. And I think that just largely points out that Cox is starting to flail with a dying business model, but here I am still writing them a check.

If I thought I could substantially reduce my bill with Dish or Direct and keep most of the channels I like, I'd probably consider doing it very seriously. It would probably take a huge incentive for me to move away from Cox Internet service, however.

[BBatesokc]

I have just ditched Cox phone service for my own free VOIP setup with Google Voice, using Cox Internet. I've had no problems with Cox Internet. Am getting really sick of sending them $$ each month for their cable offerings, although I'm not sure I wouldn't end up spending approximately the same money with Direct or Dish. Was looking forward to Cox getting a whole home DVR, but they've found a way to make that too expensive by forcing their own installs plus charging a DVR fee for each "satellite" box tied to the host. And I think that just largely points out that Cox is starting to flail with a dying business model, but here I am still writing them a check.

If I thought I could substantially reduce my bill with Dish or Direct and keep most of the channels I like, I'd probably consider doing it very seriously. It would probably take a huge incentive for me to move away from Cox Internet service, however.

I know people that gave up their Cox TV and phone (kept Internet) and still receive basic cable for FREE through their coax. I've confirmed this with at least 4 different friends.

[SoonerDave]

I know people that gave up their Cox TV and phone (kept Internet) and still receive basic cable for FREE through their coax. I've confirmed this with at least 4 different friends.

I believe cable television providers are required to continue providing their analog video service for some presently-forgotten number of months following the national HD rollout from a few years ago. I've heard rumblings that time period was close to expiring, but nothing concrete. If I dig up more specific detail here, I'll post.

[kelroy55]

I wish Uverse was available in my area I would get it for at least TV and possible internet. I have Cox internet and Dish for TV.

[bhawes]

I wish Uverse was available in my area I would get it for at least TV and possible internet. I have Cox internet and Dish for TV.

For HD viewing Directv has the best picture quality. But cox internet is the fastest.

[Lauri101]

We've been with Cox/Multimedia (the legacy company) for 25 years and perfectly happy with the package and service we have. Our entire entertainment budget is in Cox, as neither of us are comfortable/able to attend movies.

I just negotiated a new upgrade to Whole Home, two HD DVRs and every possible tv and movie channel available, including premiums with On Demand for anytime watching, plus basic phone/unlimited long distance and premium internet for $2 more a month than I was paying for one DVR and fewer selections. In April, we'll get the HD DVR that will record 6 shows at once and has 3 TB of storage at no additional cost. Plus - we locked in our price for 2 years, simply by agreeing to a 2 year contract.

The "catch" is that you have to get on phone and ask for some bargains or specials. If you're a long time customer, they will work with you. What do we pay for this package? $238 a month. High - maybe, but again - two people, no kids, partially disabled, one retired and sight-impaired - this is what we do to entertain ourselves. Plus - I'm having back surgery tomorrow and will be able to recline in bedroom to watch everything available on either DVR while recovering. To me - this is a bargain - but it depends on what you want and your priorities in spending.

[kelroy55]

Good luck with your surgery.

[SoonerDave]

We've been with Cox/Multimedia (the legacy company) for 25 years and perfectly happy with the package and service we have. Our entire entertainment budget is in Cox, as neither of us are comfortable/able to attend movies.

I just negotiated a new upgrade to Whole Home, two HD DVRs and every possible tv and movie channel available, including premiums with On Demand for anytime watching, plus basic phone/unlimited long distance and premium internet for $2 more a month than I was paying for one DVR and fewer selections. In April, we'll get the HD DVR that will record 6 shows at once and has 3 TB of storage at no additional cost. Plus - we locked in our price for 2 years, simply by agreeing to a 2 year contract.

The "catch" is that you have to get on phone and ask for some bargains or specials. If you're a long time customer, they will work with you. What do we pay for this package? $238 a month. High - maybe, but again - two people, no kids, partially disabled, one retired and sight-impaired - this is what we do to entertain ourselves. Plus - I'm having back surgery tomorrow and will be able to recline in bedroom to watch everything available on either DVR while recovering. To me - this is a bargain - but it depends on what you want and your priorities in spending.

Lauri, high, low, or in the middle, you don't have to 'splain or justify yourself to anyone here. You do exactly what's best for you. Prayers to you for a speedy recovery.

[ewoodard70]

Lauri, hope all goes well with your surgery, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
I also have been a long time Cox customer and I have been pleased with their service. They have always treated me fairly and courteously whenever I have dealt with them.

[Lauri101]

Hey thanks all - didn't want to turn it about me - just give y'all a chance to see what I pay for what I consider a bargain.
Thanks for good wishes - heading out in a few and so ready to get this done!

[venture]

Anyone in Norman have much experience with U-Verse?

They have an offer for TV, Interwebs, and Phone that would would out to around $150 a month for me. Right now with DirecTV, Cox, and Vonage I'm pushing $250 a month. The TV package is comparable to what I have with DirecTV right now. The phone would be a slight step up. The internet is my biggest concern because I'm on a business line (so you guys can enjoy the weather chats LOL) and just worried about the impact to that.

I've heard a mix of feedback. Quite a bit of negative, but none from people in Norman and I know it can be location specific when it comes to dealing with any DSL service. Thoughts?

[BBatesokc]

Not sure if it has been previously mentioned, but apparently you can't really go by the Uverse website when determining areas of available service.

My parents just bought a house near mine in Edmond and the website said service was not available in their area (same thing it said for my address). However, not easily dissuaded, they went to the ATT store to inquire and were told that they actually could get UVerse - and did.

I tried, but they said I was just out of range of the 'node.'

[venture]

I had to actually submit a request to have my address audited and 3 days later got an e-mail saying it qualified. Granted I stuck with DTV and Cox for right now.

[kevinpate]

I've had UVerse near on four years now. Covers internet, voip phone, and the telly. Not unhappy with any of the services we utilize, and I did not feel that way about the prior provider.

[Of Sound Mind]

Our family made the switch to UVerse about a month and a half ago as a direct result (and only because of) an inane billing dispute with Cox after being a loyal (and profitable) customer for 15+ years — over an issue that was quite easy to resolve, but Cox's billing department was being unreasonably difficult about it for some inexplicable reason; complete opposite experience than with their standard customer service). Based on a couple recommendations by trusted friends, we chose UVerse and haven't regretted the move one bit. It is Cox's (completely unnecessary) loss and AT&T's fortuitous gain, adding a big chunk of change to my already quite substantial monthly contribution with our 5-phone wireless plan (four iPhone data plans included!). Other than a little inconvenience in the transition, it's really no skin off my nose and I don't see a substantial difference between the two in service quality and availability.

[ereid]

I had Uverse before I moved back to Norman. I definitely suggest it over Cox. We have Cox now and it is absolutely the worst. We are constantly having to call and reboot the system. As soon as Uverse is an option for us, we are switching.

[MikeLucky]

I live in Noble so it's been a definite media adventure... Prior to building my house in Noble I had always had Cox for internet and television. Never was a huge fan of dealing with their customer service, but all in all it didn't seem too bad. Since Noble doesn't have Cox I was forced to change services.

For TV: Started with Directv, then used the local company Suddenlink, and finally switched to Dish Network. And, I can say after having used Cox, Suddenlink, Directv and Dish... that you can take away my Dish service when and only when you can pry it from my cold dead hands. I have had it since 2007 and now have upgraded to the Hopper and the whole house DVR system and it's nothing short of amazing in my opinion. I've had one price increase in that time and it was a couple of dollars a month I believe. And, even that one was presented to the customers with an apology that bordered on grovelling. Their customer support is so far ahead of any other cable/satellite company that it's embarrassing. If you are the lower tier packages, I also understand that Dish is one of the least expensive of the bunch. I have the 250 channel package, extra sports tier, and 2 premium movie channels so affordable price isn't something I can really speak to since I am never in that bracket. lol. I pay just short of $150/month for TV service, whole home DVR, and 4 rooms. The big con for a lot of people regarding satellite is that there are times in really heavy rain storms that I do lose signal. If you have the dish installed and adjusted properly then these times will be rare occurances. And, during those outages I can still access my dvr, which is the main source of tv watching for me, other than live sports. And, I also have an antenna that I have on the TV that I can easily switch to for local channels in the rare times it's out and I really need to see the local stations, for example during bad weather. All-in-all the cons are not really an issue for me, but they can be for some.

For Internet: I had been using AT&T DSL which wasn't horrible as long as you didn't have to contact customer support or didn't need speeds above 3Mbps... Just recently switched to what they call Uverse internet (although it's really kind of Uverse lite - IP SLAM) but I am getting up to 6Mbps now which allows me to at least stream media and I'm only paying $35 a month for it. It's actually really good internet service for a nice, fair price. I'm also told that Noble is about to get a full fiber VRAD which will allow most of Noble to get full Uverse products.

For Home Phone: I have had an AT&T local only landline for years as I needed it for my security system. Honestly that was the ONLY reason I had it and when I very recently added cellular monitoring to my security system, I was able to cancel my landline. In trying to do so, AT&T actually said they felt badly that I had paid over $30 a month for local-only landline service so they credited my account $175 and dropped my landline to $7 a month. Even after taxes and fees are added each month, I won't actually have to make a payment for the landline for a full year. And, if the rate doesn't change after the credit is used up, I might even keep the landline as it will run me about $12 a month total to keep it... and after going through the cellular phone issues with the recent tornadoes, it seems like I might like having that landline as a backup in case of emergencies.

So, I'm all mixed up when it comes to services now. Heck even the Uverse and landline AT&T services are completely different accounts. My rundown is:

TV (Dish Network): $150
Phone (AT&T landline): $12
Internet (Uverse): $35
__________________________

Total: $197/month


I realize that my TV package is more than what most folks would have... And, based on what I've seen, Dish has some very reasonable packages for people that have normal TV watching habits. lol

[ctchandler]

I have had Dish Network for about ten years and I am pleased. Cable is not available to me and neither is Uverse. Directv has tried to get me to switch but the bottom line when I asked the lady about their rates after the first year love affair was over was "Sir, if you are asking me if we are cheaper than Dish Network, we are not". If they call you or you call them, ask them that question. I had Directv for quite a few years and have no complaints about their product, but Dish Network is cheaper and I am amazed at their service. My receiver went South about two weeks ago, and on Memorial day, the man replaced it (I called them on the previous Friday). I pay about $80 per month for the Top 200 option.
C. T.

[venture]

I have had Dish Network for about ten years and I am pleased. Cable is not available to me and neither is Uverse. Directv has tried to get me to switch but the bottom line when I asked the lady about their rates after the first year love affair was over was "Sir, if you are asking me if we are cheaper than Dish Network, we are not". If they call you or you call them, ask them that question. I had Directv for quite a few years and have no complaints about their product, but Dish Network is cheaper and I am amazed at their service. My receiver went South about two weeks ago, and on Memorial day, the man replaced it (I called them on the previous Friday). I pay about $80 per month for the Top 200 option.
C. T.

To tag on to what you said CT, I spoke with DTV a couple months ago when I was shopping UVerse to see what they had that would help bring the pricing down. I was amazed when the guy from Tennessee was like "well what you have to understand, we are the Cadillac of TV service and with that you are going to pay more. If you want the Honda then you pick the other guys." I was really put off by that. I have no problem paying DTV what I do each month, but I did have a problem in the way he addressed me. I called back later that evening and spoke to a great lady that found a few credits I was eligible for and brought the price down about $20/mo. Now she wasn't great because she found a discount, she was great because she actually did what she was suppose to do and more - listen to the customer and understand exactly what they are wanting and try to find a solution to the best of her ability. Topped off that night speaking with her Sup complimenting her and apparently made her night according to the Sup. Requesting a Sup for a compliment is something I wish more people did. It was great seeing the impact it had on front line workers when I was in the business.

[stick47]

COX Internets' LOWEST tier service jumped from $39.99/mo in Feb 2013 to $46.99/mo this month. That's around an 18% increase in 10 months! Sorely pissed at this company. Yes they increased the speed from 3 to 5 mbps but 3 mbps worked fine here for us. Would rather not pay for what we don't need.

[OSUFan]

I switched to DirectTV from Cox a year ago and haven't regretted it yet. We switched internet to AT&T but recently switched back to Cox. Cox is a lot more expensive but our AT&T internet was unbearably slow.