1. We use
Ooma (Basic costs taxes only; incredible high-end features for just an additional $10 per month;
additional numbers can be added for just $5 per month) VoIP. NOBODY offers features and great voice quality (apps for phone/tablet, as well) for its really low price. We get Text Notices if someone leaves a message AND we also use the feature that sends the message left at home sent to our mobile email address. And yes, you can even FORWARD calls at home to another phone--and if the internet goes out, you can set it to forward all calls to your smart phone until internet is restored. Far cheaper than a bundle. The hardest part is PORTING your number because the phone co. or cable co. DON'T want you to change. Just keep at it and they will relinquish it to Ooma.
2. We have
Spectrum (Charter) for Internet ONLY (100 Mbps downstream).
3. Dish
Hopper 3 for TV.
Price all that out for yourself. See what your monthly cost would be. Ooma does have a one time-cost for the unit, but that will pay for itself pretty quickly. I've seen the Ooma Telo selling for less than $100. I think they still sell them at Costco. The amount of $$ we have saved is tremendous. For us the three separate services listed above is significantly LESS than ANY bundle offered by DTV or Charter or anyone.
And for MORE savings here is a 4th service:
4. Use an
MVNO--NOT ANY of the big wireless carriers. Our MVNO (3rd party cell/smart phone service using a big wireless network) has saved us MOUNDS of money and with NO EXTRA charges--Ever! A predictable monthly low cost bill. If we need more data (which we never do under our plan), then we can buy it and any unused additional data is ROLLED OVER for future use when you need it for as long as you are a customer. And all with NO compromise by being an MVNO customer as opposed to direct big wireless company. Even the big carriers ALSO own and operate MVNO's.
One thing to consider when finding an MVNO, is WHOSE network is used, if that matters to you. I have always used MVNO's using VERIZON's network with its far better coverage than any other. Then it is a matter of pricing how many phones/numbers, single vs. multiple users vs. value of data provided. I can tell you that my brother who is a Verizon direct customer was bumped down to 3G, while at the same time my phone (and the other user of our MVNO who was with us) were still 4G on Verizon's network. This has happened more than a few times when we were with other Verizon or other big wireless direct customers. He gets pay "fool's price" for being a Verizon direct customer. We were big wireless customers for a while, so we KNOW that we have never had a diminished experience using our past and present MVNO using Verizon's network.
You can go to a Wikipedia page that lists all the MVNO's and whose network they use. You do need to research a bit. For example, for ONE phone, Page Plus may be best, but it is a BAD value for 2 or more, while Total Wireless is the much better value for multiple phones. But research all that yourself.
And next time, DO NOT buy a phone from ANY wireless carrier or MVNO. Get yourself a good UNLOCKED phone that can work on ANY of the big wireless carries network and enjoy further savings. Really, does a grown-up need a phone any better than the affordable and very capable Moto G7 (HIGHLY RATED by even APPLE and SAMSUNG users--watch the YouTube video reviews)? But if one is an Apple snob or puts their personal self-esteem into a Samsung $900 phone, then there is no help or savings for them.
Break out the numbers/costs for yourself. For us, it resulted in quite a lot more money falling into our pockets every month by
not bundling, but by selecting separate services and phones and creating our own "bundle" . And, of course, there is always eating on Norm's
. Better, more reliably tender steak than Black Angus and with soup AND salad AND dessert included. He, he. Just some fun on the Norm's recommendation
.
See if all of that can work for your. YOU will save money and afford a Hopper 3.
