Cable TV has been facing increasing competition from other communications types like satellite telev...

1. Multimedia :: Advantages and Disadvantages of Cable TV
Cable TV has been facing increasing competition from other communications types like satellite
television and even such computer sites as Netflix. With all of these options now available, it is a
good opportunity to look at the pros and cons of cable television. In this article, I will examine three
positive and three negative points about cable television, to help you make an informed decision.
Advantage #1: Stability
Cable television is especially stable in its service. Both traditional air-wave broadcasts and modern
satellite television can and will cut out on you during any serious storm (and often during some not-
so-serious storms). Cable, on the other hand, will only go out if there is some flaw in the overall
system, like a broken cable or router. This will happen far less often than rainstorms, so cable
television will provide far more consistent service.
Advantage #2: Bundling
Often specials are available by bundling your cable television with other services in a single
package, usually internet and phone, but sometimes services like cellular phones. These bundles can
actually save you quite a bit of money, especially if you bundle all three typical services together. It
also provides the convenience of having a single bill.
Advantage #3: Price
Cable television can actually be fairly inexpensive, if you don't add too many options. The initial
hardware costs are fairly inexpensive when compared to satellite, and the FCC requires that all
cable companies provide a basic cable package consisting of broadcast channels and a few local
channels. As a result, cable television can be the cheapest form of television aside from buying an
antenna.
Disadvantage #1: Annoying Monopolies
Many areas only have a single cable television provider, and this creates a monopoly. While the
competition from satellite is increasing, the corporate culture of these monopolies is especially poor.
Customer service can be terrible, if not non-existent in many cases, and consumer satisfaction with
cable TV companies is consistently some of the worst among any companies in the United States.

2. Disadvantage #2: Confusing Price Packages
Many cable companies are very confusing
when it comes to how much their service
will actually cost in the long run. Many
require you to sign up for two years in
order to get a one-year introductory deal.
However, you have to really dig on their
websites to find out how much the second
year will cost. In other cases, there are
hidden fees, rental charges and taxes.
Disadvantage #3: Privacy
If you are bundling your cable television with your internet (and many people do), you will have less
privacy on the internet. Cable internet works with a stable IP address that doesn't change, so people
will be able to easily track your visits to their sites. Compare this with DSL, where you can easily
reset your IP by turning your modem on and off.
With these advantages and disadvantages in mind, you will be in a better position to make a decision
about whether to choose cable television.
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