Sayonara Blue Ridge ETC cable TV, hello Dish Network
When I lived in Cashes Valley, I longed for cable. Well, after 3 years of local/cable programming it’s time for a change back to satellite.
Reasons:
HDTV - more HD channels for less on Dish.
Local Commercials - if I see that 3-year-old Cajun Depot commercial one more time, I’ll barf barnacles. Most importantly, the ETC commercials are running over the main feeds, causing one to miss a few seconds upon return from the almighty “break”–unacceptable.
Hardware/Support - my leased HD-DVR was used when they installed it (still had colored sticky dots, scratched) and it requires a weekly unplug/reboot like my old Win98 PCs. I complained and still await a promised new one a year later. Yeah, I know “call us”.
Late Fees - it might not be better with the big boys, but this is “Neighbors Serving Neighbors” here right? A week to pay after the bill arrives and a $25 late fee ain’t too neighborly for this little neck-of-the-wood.
I’ll see if I live to regret it. One can always go back at a cheaper offer to “new customers” right? In another money-saving gadget venture, I’m also testing out a new WiFi phone that I’ll hopefully be singing praises about here soon. My Skype name = kip.draper or you can test-call me (batteries won’t be charged until tomorrow) at 706-955-4706.
curiosity … since you’ve dumped ETC cable TV, did you also dump their cable internet? I’ve got a combo package that I’m basically happy with, but have considered going back to the dish. Don’t want to lose the cable internet, though. My ideal situation would be to have an incoming cable line and voip telephone, but since ETC is the internet supplier ….
No, I kept the cable Internet (10mb connection) and my landline, ditched cable TV & DSL. Stripped the landline down to callerid only. For long distance, I’m using a combo of Simplicity 3.9 cents a minute/no monthly fee & VoicePulse VOIP when the Internet is behaving. All of this is running through my PBX, an old Dell box running AsteriskNOW –the coolest! Currently I’m writing a script to torture telemarketers; now that’s good, clean fun.
You might inquire about a combo package with voice and cable Internet only. ETC charges around $12/month for basic phone. I decided to keep TDS for local phone since I might need the DSL again someday; I was told you have to have a local line with them to get DSL.
Cant blame anyone for dropping their ETC cable….Its the worst I have seen!!!!…to many wasted channels….exsample: church,,, singers,…and advertisement channels……they have no others to compete with so I quess to them….it doesnt matter. Its a waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I too hate their cable lineup! I would love to get something else.
The internet is ok. I also use it for Vonage phone service.
I think their HD channels are very limited. How many HD channels does
dish have? Also, what are the cost involved in switching over?
I remember years ago dish didn’t have local TV channels. Is this still true?
Thanks,
BC
We’re in Cashes Valley (south end) and just got DirectTV. Reception has been great and channel line-up ain’t bad either. Now we’re shopping for internet services. Does anyone have recommendations for DirectTV or other options? We don’t currently have a land line.