What Satellite & Cable Companies are doing as a Result of Cord Cutting

[4570Man]

Do you have a smart phone? No one "needs" one of them either but a lot of people seem to think they do. An expensive gadget that's obsolete in just a few years, with rather pricey monthly service charges. And of course every member of the family "needs" one...adds up.
And I haven't seen that the cell providers are any easier to deal with than cable providers are.



Why does it matter to you if others may enjoy tv? It's their life. I'm sure you enjoy time-consuming activities that others don't share.



Not just robustness, but would there be a sufficient ROI on a 5G network in thinly populated areas? As it is in rural areas cell towers are concentrated along major highways, it's just that current cells are large enough to reach a fair distance. Smaller cells, maybe not. I'm sure the pole-top antennas are much cheaper than the current ones, but a lot of contracts will need to be negotiated to place them.

What kind of range do 5G signals have compared to what's currently in use?

I would classify a smart phone as a need. You have to keep up with the times to run a successful business. Sure if you’re retired you might not need a phone, but good luck keeping up with everything that needs done without one. A flip phone would be a step better than nothing but a smart phone offers a lot more communication than just calling. You might not NEED indoor plumbing either but things are a lot better with it.

 

[kcflhrc]

I would classify a smart phone as a need. You have to keep up with the times to run a successful business. Sure if you’re retired you might not need a phone, but good luck keeping up with everything that needs done without one. A flip phone would be a step better than nothing but a smart phone offers a lot more communication than just calling. You might not NEED indoor plumbing either but things are a lot better with it.

I agree completely, not having a Smartphone nowadays trying to run a business is silly. Our entire dispatch system is on a Smartphone App as well as several Apps to do my job. Cant imagine not having it. So yeah, if you live in a hole or under a rock maybe not necessary.

 

[paulfun9]

Do you have a smart phone? No one "needs" one of them either but a lot of people seem to think they do.

Lets break that down!

NO smart phone here, not even a cell phone of any kind. I actually have a sign on my door that reads
“ No cell phones allowed inside please leave them in you vehicle”

You say people think they need them? That alone is the first question that needs answered, Do they need them? have they put hemselves in a situation where they cant live without? Is thier life truly dependent on having one?
I would think NOT so therefore it isnt a NEED it is a Want, yes there is a big difference between the two maybe a dictionary might help you decipher what others are saying!

 

[4570Man]

Lets break that down!

NO smart phone here, not even a cell phone of any kind. I actually have a sign on my door that reads
“ No cell phones allowed inside please leave them in you vehicle”

You say people think they need them? That alone is the first question that needs answered, Do they need them? have they put hemselves in a situation where they cant live without? Is thier life truly dependent on having one?
I would think NOT so therefore it isnt a NEED it is a Want, yes there is a big difference between the two maybe a dictionary might help you decipher what others are saying!

I bet you’re either retired or nearing retirement age and have worked the same job for decades.

 

[DieselnHooters]

What some seem to be saying here is... I cut the cord or gave up tv altogether and if you dont do likewise is because you are weak and needy. Same goes for those who do not own a smartphone.

 

[ultrarunner]

What are they doing because of cord cutting?

Who cares! I don’t miss the cable bill and when I built this house I didn’t even let the crooks run a line to me. Kicked them off the property with a smile on my face!
Used the satellite company for a few years till they raised thier rates for the 3rd time then told them to shove it!

If more people would understand the difference between a want and a need and be willing to do without the wants for a little while they wouldn’t be able to overcharge us for their crappy service to begin with.

I learned being on the country with acreage is one thing... not have cell, HD satellite, TV or Internet SEVERELY impacts the property value and pool of those with the means and desire.

At the time my home was built in 1978 it was $75 to hook up... cable was going through the neighborhood signing everyone up for a flat fee.

Previous owner booted them off the property and I understand...

Fast forward 25 years and it has severely limited my options.

That $75 hook up was now 15k mostly due to county regs... all new had to be underground and it took a full on boring crew several days to make it happen... amazing how they did it and really a great job...

My choice was pay in full at the time or pay $290 monthly under contract.

I too could car less about TV... but having a good phone line with cable and business Internet has been well worth it.

My last two tenants... a consulting physician and more recently a structural engineer required Internet or it was a no-go.

 

[kcflhrc]

Lets break that down!

NO smart phone here, not even a cell phone of any kind. I actually have a sign on my door that reads
“ No cell phones allowed inside please leave them in you vehicle”

You say people think they need them? That alone is the first question that needs answered, Do they need them? have they put hemselves in a situation where they cant live without? Is thier life truly dependent on having one?
I would think NOT so therefore it isnt a NEED it is a Want, yes there is a big difference between the two maybe a dictionary might help you decipher what others are saying!

Well, here's the deal my friend. Our Company has put us in a position to where a smart phone is not an option. If you want me to come fix your internet, phone, etc. That trouble ticket is sent to an App on my smart phone. If that phone is broke or not functioning, guess what? I aint gonna be there.

 

[Diggin It]

I use my phone more as a note taker that anything else. I keep shopping lists and appointment reminders on it. I rarely make or receive calls, but it's nice to have when you're on the road in older cars that might not make it. And you know, when you out in the yard/field away from the house and step in a mole hole twisting your ankle ..... or worse.

 

[goeduck]

^^ I really wish more people would kick the TV habit entirely. I don't miss it at all. And I was amazed at how much my electric bill dropped when I turned the TV, Satellite box, home theater and associated equipment off.

I wish my wife would, she is a TV addict. I mainly watch Fox News and meTV reruns of old shows like Andy Griffith, Gilligans Island, that kind of stuff. Oh, and some sports, but almost never live. I have too many things to get done than waste 3 or 4 hours of daylight watching a game.

 

[AllDodge]

We went from sat and cable and now on phones, funny