Comcast Offers 'Bare Bones' 768kbps VoIP Double Play For those who appreciate the bare minimum... Tipped by Romney2012 
A Comcast user writes in to note that Comcast is promoting a low cost, low speed, bare bones double play package aimed at the grandma in all of us. The bundle (see scan) offers 768 kbps downstream speeds (there's no mention anywhere of upload speed) & a local only voice digital voice service where you pay $.05/min for long distance calls. The "Everyday Double Play" pkg is $49.90 per month, plus $3 per month extra for a combo EMTA/cable modem. That doesn't include all extra fees for local, state, federal taxes and other voice charges for FCC mandated fees. There's also a $29.95 one time installation charge, and voicemail is $3.95/mo extra if you want it, grandma.
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 | | TWC Sounds like my new plan with time warner. RR lite(768/128-$15)+Digital Phone Local($24.95)+Basic Cable($18).
Totals less than $65/month. | |
|  |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: TWC It is a bit pricey, given that they sell the full blown package (VoIP unlimited + 6Mbps) for $79.95 | |
| | |  baineschile2600 ways to livePremium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI
 ·Comcast
 ·magicjack.com
| Re: TWC Remember though, the "full" prices for those services are 42.95 and 44.95 respectively, so if someone wanted to up one because they needed faster internet or unlimited long distance, they could.
Comcast is also offering a new TV package (ironically called Economy Digital) which has the local broadcast stations, and 20-30 other networks (usa, animal planet, etc) but no sports networks.
I believe it goes for about 30-40, but that is a full rate, so no price jump when the promo is over. | |
| | | | en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: TWC Yeah - bundling saves ~ $20/month on the cost of VoIP + HSI, almost attempting to make it competitive with indie VoIP.
Interestingly enough... its actually listed at $69.95 for 'Surf and Talk' on their by city listing
»www.timewarnerla.com/pricingGuid···0208.pdf
»www.timewarnerla.com/pricingGuid···0208.pdf
Standalone VoIP = $44.95
Standalone HSI = $44.95
Bundled VoIP + HSI = $69.95 = worthwhile, almost better pricing than Vonage. | |
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| | | | I have no use for 7mbps, and no use for nationwide calling. | |
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 wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
1 edit | Seems expensive to me To be honest, $50 plus fees is not a very good deal, especially when you consider that this only offers local service. Assuming this will be bundled with 768k/384k, the price should be $29.95 (at most) to be competitive. With similar, low bandwidth DSL packages starting at $10 a month why would anyone buy this??
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| | | | Re: Seems expensive to me because after you factor in all the "fees and taxes" AT$T and VZ are going to add on top of that POTS charge of already $15 its still going to be just as much. | |
| | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: Seems expensive to me said by hottboiinnc:because after you factor in all the "fees and taxes" AT$T and VZ are going to add on top of that POTS charge of already $15 its still going to be just as much. It depends on where you live. Many places around the country the extra fees 'only' amount to $10 or so. You can get any number of VoIP services for far less than they are charging for local only.
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| | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: Seems expensive to me said by wifi4milez:said by hottboiinnc:because after you factor in all the "fees and taxes" AT$T and VZ are going to add on top of that POTS charge of already $15 its still going to be just as much. It depends on where you live. Many places around the country the extra fees 'only' amount to $10 or so. You can get any number of VoIP services for far less than they are charging for local only. Not everyone is out for a 3rd party voice solution that you have to monkey rig when it goes down. Believe it or not, not everyone cares to reboot a router and self diagnose the service when there is a problem. Voip isn't for everyone ESPECIALLY older people. I deal with many people who are older in my business. I would NEVER put anything in their home that wasn't either 1) plain old copper, or 2) a managed phone service from a local provider with techs. Even then, I would stick with copper. I have a client, now, that was thinking of going with uverse voice.. at ager 84 and 72, I would NEVER risk their safety with voip.
People here often make the mistake at looking at every offer, program, or package that is put on the market as being something specific to them and not the greater picture. As tech savvy as I am, I also realize that there are MANY people that simply will not take risks with something like phone service just yet. So it's not always about price. | |
| | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: Seems expensive to me said by fiberguy:I have a client, now, that was thinking of going with uverse voice.. at ager 84 and 72, I would NEVER risk their safety with voip. I couldnt agree more. Check out my own review (on this website) of my VoIP service directly to the left of this post. You will notice the final paragraph is titled "!!!!!IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!!!!", and it concludes with "If you have kids or feel that you may EVER need to dial 911, or if having a 100% reliable phone is important to you, DO NOT ORDER ANY VOIP SERVICE FROM ANY PROVIDER."
»Review of BroadVoice by wifi4milez
said by fiberguy:People here often make the mistake at looking at every offer, program, or package that is put on the market as being something specific to them and not the greater picture. As tech savvy as I am, I also realize that there are MANY people that simply will not take risks with something like phone service just yet. So it's not always about price. Yes, however this isnt POTS service either. While it certainly not independent VoIP, cable 'phone service' will go out during a power outage. You mention that older people dont want to tinker with a modem and such, yet how exactly do you think HSI works?? This setup involves a cable modem, a router, and some sort of ATA 'type' device. While the tech may set it up the first time, its certainly not rabbit ears and a phone jack as you are making it out to be.
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| | | | | | | fiberguy,
Amen someone that thinks the same way as I do!
I left Comcast because of all the crap they pulled with
Elderly customers. Constant network problems and upgrades. The CDV product was down more than up when these older people needed it!
Its not alwasy about price. When a persons life is on the line they need to have a working phone. Not one that is down for issues every night between 12:00-6:00am!
I and tons of older customers call me crying because something happened because their phones were out.
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| | | is $10 basic local only cable tv part of the price that can't be droped? | |
| | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Doesn't sound bad to me.
People have deal-idas. Not everything is a "deal".. this is really nothing more than a package of two services that you'd buy ala cart from another provider.
It still is a good deal in my book. You're getting a $24.95 phone line that is a local service, which for some is enough, along with all 12 calling features minus voice mail and a 5 cent long distance WITHOUT the extra monthly plan fee, usually about $3.95. The internet isn't bad either. You can't get that from the phone company for that price.. less taxes too.
Not everything has to be a "deal" .. why can't it just be priced right? If one is always getting a "deal" then you'll never be able to put something on special later. At some point, people have to live with a price point, period. | |
| | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: Seems expensive to me said by fiberguy:At some point, people have to live with a price point, period. Thats true, however I dont see this 'promo' attracting many customers. The point of this offering is to get low use customers to sign up, so the 'price point' needs to be appealing. Some Grandma that spends $10 a month on dialup probably isnt yapping on the phone all day either. For this reason, she probably has a phone bill of $20 or less depending on where she lives (I feel Grandparents receive far more calls than they place). Offering her a $50 (plus fees) package doesnt seem to me to be something she is going to jump at.
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|  jt4
@comcast.net | but comcast hsi goes throught fiber network not copper phone lines. | |
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 CjaicemanPremium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
kudos:2
·Comcast Business..
| horrible I wouldn't wish 768kbps on my worst enemy.... *shivers*
I know my grandma, if she even had a computer, would want something faster, along the lines of 2Mbps downstream. Those win/av/as updates will take a long time...
Even doing a remote logmein would be a struggle at that speed.
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| | iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| Re: horrible Welcome to internet outside of cable/DSL. $42/month for 512k wireless. It works, but 768/384 would be a godsend. RDP works just fine even over 384/128 if the connection quality is good. Problem: the connection is lousy.
Still, $30 per month for 768/384 cable internet is not too cool. | |
| |  Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | said by Cjaiceman:I wouldn't wish 768kbps on my worst enemy.... *shivers* I know my grandma, if she even had a computer, would want something faster, along the lines of 2Mbps downstream. Those win/av/as updates will take a long time... Even doing a remote logmein would be a struggle at that speed. My sister (a granny  ) has a similar internet pkg from Verizon and working at 768 kbps is very usable for her. Browsing is very responsive, even when there is streaming content on the web page. Yes, it is lousy at high bandwidth situations like looking at High Def videos, but then she doesn't use her connection for that. She uses it for email and internet browsing.
P.S.> In case you don't know it, browsing speeds are considerably less than most people realize, even when they have a 16/2 mbps link. The higher speeds only really help when downloading or uploading large files. See this to see what browsing speeds typically are at no matter what the link speed: »[Speed] Comparison of BROWSING speed for major ISPs
P.P.S.> I use logmein to support her PC from my house and it works adequately to make setup adjustments to her system.
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| | | AVonGaussPremium
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL | Re: horrible And you would be the younger or older brother?  | |
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 jmn1207Premium
join:2000-07-19
Ashburn, VA | This is an Economy Package? It might be cheaper and faster to drive to the public library and use their computers. | |
| | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: This is an Economy Package? said by jmn1207:It might be cheaper and faster to drive to the public library and use their computers. Seriously, its a total rip off. | |
| | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: This is an Economy Package? .. exactly how is it a rip off? And please don't answer "the price" or "becuase someone else is selling it cheaper".. how is it a "rip-off"... | |
| | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: This is an Economy Package? said by fiberguy:.. exactly how is it a rip off? And please don't answer "the price" or "becuase someone else is selling it cheaper".. how is it a "rip-off"... You just answered your own question about why its a rip off.
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| | | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3
1 edit | Re: This is an Economy Package? Education anyone? I gave you reasons how NOT to answer, and you did it anyway..
Emotional responses are not answers.. they are emotions. I do believe I said "how exactly".. those that are selling it cheaper, my friend, are those that aren't selling a comparable product. If you think that Vonage and the such is a comparable product to a company managed service, then there's no use talking. And, simply "the price" is not a valid answer.. that doesn't go anywhere near "exactly why"...
In other words.. as usual, emotions run king over actual thought around here. Can you put a little analysis behind that?? I'm serious.. I'd love to know why it's a rip... | |
| | | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: This is an Economy Package? said by fiberguy:Education anyone? I gave you reasons how NOT to answer, and you did it anyway.. quote:
A ripoff (or rip-off) is a bad deal. Usually it refers to an incident in which a person pays too much for something
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripoff
quote:
an act or instance of ripping off another or others; a theft, cheat, or swindle.
»dictionary.reference.com/browse/rip%20off
You are funny, you are asking me to define something without actually using the definition. Lets try another equally dumb question, explain the shape of a ball without using the words 'round', 'circular', 'curved', or any variations of those (or similar) words.
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| | | | | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: This is an Economy Package? Okay, Smart ass.. I know hot to use a dictionary to look up definitions, however, you still don't understand the question. I can look up words and post definitions all day, but would you mind telling exactly how it's a rip-off? The 4th grade was an easy grade to pass for most.
(Wiki is not exactly a source of great reference.. shows the lack of one's intelligence)
Paying too much for something is relevant. Since the price of what Comcast is offering this service is actually lower than its competitor, I still fail to see how this is a "rip off"... Not to mention, since their pricing is not out of line of the norm, then it's not a "rip off"... now, if you want to talk about being forced to purchase that same service with no other choice available at a price of, say, $500 a month, THEN you would have a "rip off"
Seriously, it's not a hard concept to understand.
You can certainly define WHAT you mean by a "rip off" when asked WHY you think its a rip off.. a definition is actually rather, um, STOOPID in this case. 
Here's a link for you, since you like that site: »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_education | |
| | | | | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: This is an Economy Package? said by fiberguy:Okay, Smart ass.. I know hot to use a dictionary to look up definitions, however, you still don't understand the question. I can look up words and post definitions all day, but would you mind telling exactly how it's a rip-off? The 4th grade was an easy grade to pass for most. As I mentioned in my previous post, and as indicated by the two definitions I posted, the cost is high and the end users receives very little overall value.
said by fiberguy:(Wiki is not exactly a source of great reference.. shows the lack of one's intelligence) Its an ok source, not the best but it does the trick. There is a reason I also included a link to Dictionary.com, but a person of your intellectual stature already knew that right?
said by fiberguy:Paying too much for something is relevant. Since the price of what Comcast is offering this service is actually lower than its competitor, I still fail to see how this is a "rip off"... Not to mention, since their pricing is not out of line of the norm, then it's not a "rip off"... now, if you want to talk about being forced to purchase that same service with no other choice available at a price of, say, $500 a month, THEN you would have a "rip off" Seriously, it's not a hard concept to understand. No, the concept is quite easy to understand. I pointed out that there are many other VoIP companies that offer a much better value that this local voice package. I also pointed out that DSL packages start at around $10. You disagreed with me, even though I also pointed out my feelings/opinions on VoIP (I even linked to my review of a VoIP company), however you still insisted on using a backwards form of circular logic to no end. Once you realized I was simply presenting an opinion based on the facts, you resorted to calling names. Yeah, I think we can all see whats going on here......
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| | | | | | | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: This is an Economy Package? Presenting an opinion based on facts. Hmmm.. Interesting. But, I guess I'll accept you comparing apples and oranges. That's the BBR way after all. I'll take my form of circular logic, as you called it, and live in reality.
You are CERTAINLY allowed to an opinion, but I asked a simple question, and painfully, you've barely answered it... BARELY! | |
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| | $50+ $50+ seems a lot for someone that would rarely use the internet. Grandma would get more use out of the telephone. | |
| | Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO | Re: $50+ While I agree that $50 is a lot, a lot of grandmas use the net a lot. Emailing grandkids/kids on a daily basis causes a lot fewer issues than having to stop what you are doing to talk on the phone. Live video chatting is also pretty handy: "Grandma look what I did in school today". | |
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|  Titus PulloI came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
kudos:1
·Embarq Now Centu..
| They priced & bundled it just right to keep from cannibalizing their intro tier. Anyone who doesn't think there are people more than willing to drop their BLAST! and POWERBOOST! for life in the Slowsky lane at a $20/$25-768/1.5 price point doesn't talk to people when shopping or at the office. It sucks for a lot of folks out here.
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| | | Nothing Special.... nothing special here these are the normal prices by having both together. $24.95 for each service and the $3 emta fee. | |
| | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: Nothing Special.... Exactly! That's all this is.. they're offering a package that is comparable, and yet still a little less than, the competitors offerings.
Compare this bundle to the Verizon bundle and see what you get.
My parents have Verizon service.. 768/128 DSL + Basic phone with call waiting only and a long distance 5 cent plan at $3.95 month. Their monthly bill for the two services with taxes, $68 a month. The comcast plan is $49.90 a month plus eMta + taxes.. I'd estimate this would be about $58.00 a month.
The difference: Comcast still gives you the 12 calling features and the bill is about $10 less per month. Its still ABOUT comparable except they are giving a little more, for a little less.
While we're at this.. the phone company needs to grow up and get with it.
I'm looking at converting an elderly client of mine from ATT local phone 2 lines no long distance + Comcast cable + modem to the new Uverse service with pots phone. Its amazing how the POTS service can be sold at a INCREDIBLE savings when you take U-Verse TV.. the phone drops from $60 a month down to $45 a month plus all the features (which would make the original $60 go to about $85) just becuase you take it with U-verse. It just proves that POTS can be sold cheaper if they wanted to.
Wake up people.. phone is playing games. | |
| | | Titus PulloI came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
kudos:1 Reviews:
·Embarq Now Centu..
| Re: Nothing Special.... said by fiberguy:My parents have Verizon service.. 768/128 DSL + Basic phone with call waiting only and a long distance 5 cent plan at $3.95 month. Their monthly bill for the two services with taxes, $68 a month. Wake up people.. phone is playing games. I have a 3000/640 DSL line w/Embarq with basic landline (no LD - use my cell for that) and I pay $67 a month, total.
You know how many times my phone line or Inet has been down in the past?
About 1/1000 that of average cable for the Inet, and 1/000000000000000 for the phone.
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| | | | | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: Nothing Special.... said by magicJack :
Just buy a magicJack...
I'll chalk this up to you not reading.
Why in the WORLD would I put such a flimsy piece of crap in over a copper service for an 84 and 72 year old that I'm looking for a reliable service with no issues?
Do me a favor... Google the word RIF and see what you get. | |
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| |  This is news?
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| | | They also offer an "Everyday Triple Play" Here in Fort Wayne, Comcast is now offering an "Everyday Triple Play" with the 768k Internet, Digital Voice Local and More, and Economy Digital Cable for $77.95/month. They're running TV ads saying that it's "value the phone company doesn't want you to hear about"... even though the Internet is now half the speed of Verizon's cheapest DSL offering, and you can get a FiOS triple-play bundle with much more (8x the TV channels, unlimited long distance, 10 Mbps Internet) for about $18/month more.
The sad part... this is in one of Comcast's DOCSIS 3.0 markets!  | |
| | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: They also offer an "Everyday Triple Play" said by MFfan310:... even though the Internet is now half the speed of Verizon's cheapest DSL offering, ... which JUST happened. I guess news breaks on the hour these days even though marketing is usually planned out a little more in advance. | |
| | Reviews:
·Comcast
| These plans aren't meant to appeal to the masses. They are for cost conscious customers that may not need all of the bells and whistles that the performance plan HSI, Unlimited CDV, and bigger cable packages offer. The speed, while weak in comparison to the the Performance tier, is a heck of a lot faster than dial-up...which is what the target customer would have. In addition, these are priced competitively to other offerings in each market. Comcast does not bill its CDV as traditional VoIP, which it is not. It does not use the public Internet, has a battery backup for power outages, and offers guaranteed QOS...not to mention that you do not have to have high speed Internet to get it. The Economy Internet and local with more CDV have been out for a while, but the digital Economy tier is new. The marketing push is the newest thing regarding these package. Comcast is just trying to help out customers that want to save money...no need to go all crazy bashing each other and the the service on this thread. | |
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 BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | At least you won't blow your cap. Only speed that basically guarantees you won't go over your 250 GB cap. | |
|  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Fees! "That doesn't include all extra fees for local, state, federal taxes and other voice charges for FCC mandated fees."
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thats about another $10-15/mo!
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| elray
join:2000-12-16
Santa Monica, CA | Double Pay? Sorry, $58+ a month is not a "low cost" package. Please try again. | |
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