[jrref]

Many cable providers are offering discounts on their services if you move your cell phones to their company and bundle with your TV and Internet services. The cable companies are buying service from major carriers such as Verizon and others so it looks like a good deal and it can be.

Just be aware that there have been many cases where customers have had trouble moving their cell phones from a cable company to other providers. This porting of your number to another carrier should be very easy but I'm hearing more and more stories where the cable company is not porting the number in a timely fashion and in some cases people are loosing their numbers. I have no idea how much this is actually happening but clearly there are more and more cases where for whatever reason, it might not be so easy to move your number once the cable company has it. Again, I'm sure your experience will depend on your cable provider.

There are also a lot of other discount cellular companies such as Consumer Cellular and others which will give you the same rates and sometimes better than the cable company. They also will provide you a device where you can port your landline telephone number so you can have a home phone if you want at a very inexpensive rate. You can also go to their store here in the Villages if you have a problem and they will resolve it for you in person.

Again, I'm not saying not to move and bundle your cell phones to the cable company but just be aware that it may not be so easy to change your service or move the numbers when they are all bundled together.

So when considering making this move like this, look at using one of the popular discount carriers for you cell phones and get your internet and streaming TV services from companies who's main business is providing these services. You will probably find the cost is the same or cheaper than bundling everything together with a cable company and a lot more easier to manage if you ever find a better deal.

[CarlR33]

LOL, some days I could use a new number as the number of phishing texts seems on the increase lately.

[jrref]

Also, forgot to mention, if you have one of these discount cell phone providers, let us know your experience. Maybe your experience can help others.

[retiredguy123]

Consumer Cellular does not use the Verizon network, but Xfinity Mobile does. I have never seen an independent rating that did not rate Verizon as the best overall cellular network. My Xfinity cell phone service costs $22 per month, it uses Verizon, and it is the only network that I would use.

[asianthree]

T Mobile 5 lines unlimited $93.27 months

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Consumer Cellular does not use the Verizon network, but Xfinity Mobile does. I have never seen an independent rating that did not rate Verizon as the best overall cellular network. My Xfinity cell phone service costs $22 per month, it uses Verizon, and it is the only network that I would use.

Right, Consumer Cellular uses AT&T as their main carrier and T-mobile. AT&T is on par with Verizon in most of the country. Although the cable companies use Verizon’s network there are differences that you can Google but for basic calling it’s fine.

[jrref]

When you post what you are paying for cell service include what data plan you have because that makes the difference between $22/line or $30/line. The data plan might not be important for everyone but for many it is.

Also if you are on a promotion.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

When you post what you are paying for cell service include what data plan you have because that makes the difference between $22/line or $30/line. The data plan might not be important for everyone but for many it is.

Also if you are on a promotion.

No, I am not on a promotion. I have unlimited calling and texting, but I only have 1gb of free mobile data, which I have never exceeded in 4 years. A lot of people don't realize that, if you don't travel, you can use free wifi almost everywhere in The Villages, so there is no need for unlimited data. Most places have free wifi, and once you log in, it will automatically reconnect whenever you revisit that location.

One thing I don't understand is why Verizon is always rated the best network for at least the past 20 years. Why can't other networks catch up to Verizon?

[Stu from NYC]

Xfinity was very competitive when we moved here 5 years ago. After increase after increase I need to dump them.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Xfinity was very competitive when we moved here 5 years ago. After increase after increase I need to dump them.

Have you tried visiting the store to see what they might do for you?

[BrianL99]

I've had a mobile phone, since 1979, when RCC was the only way to get one. I've had Cellular since 1988, which was the practical start of Cell.

I've used CellularOne, Verizon, US Cellular, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and a few other regional carriers.

Without a doubt, Xfinity offers the best coverage, service and pricing, of any provider or MVNO I've ever used. You get almost all the benefits of the Verizon Network, plus access to Xfinity's Mobile Hot Spots ... for about 50% of what Verizon charges.

Xfinity's customer service is lacking, but so is everyone else's. I'd rate Xfinity's CS on a par with any provider, other than Verizon.

[dolphin]

Originally Posted by jrref

Also, forgot to mention, if you have one of these discount cell phone providers, let us know your experience. Maybe your experience can help others.

I did mine six months ago. Verizon and xfinity. Smooth transition saved $70.00 per month.

[Angelhug52]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Consumer Cellular does not use the Verizon network, but Xfinity Mobile does. I have never seen an independent rating that did not rate Verizon as the best overall cellular network. My Xfinity cell phone service costs $22 per month, it uses Verizon, and it is the only network that I would use.

Best move I made dumped Verizon went to Xfinity. Saved 100 a month. That savings has softened the cost of cable. Best is . .better service All over the state.! 23 and change per month. 5G ,unlimited everything. 2 phones.

[PurePeach]

In Atlanta, we had ATT fiber which was fantastic and our cell svc was with ATT and was horrible. When we moved to TV 4+ yrs ago, the only internet service available in our area was Xfinity. We took their 1-yr promo. Shortly after they gave us a great deal on cell service, so I jumped on that bandwagon and ported over numbers. When the promo ended, I called them and they found another package for me for a year. A little over a year ago we started getting the promos in the mail for Quantum Fiber. I researched and made the change, which has been great; however, I promptly got a notice from Xfinity that my cell bill was going to increase $25/mo for each phone since I no longer had internet with them. I immediately started searching and discovered Mint Mobile. I pay $15/mo for each phone (which is prepaid quarterly or annually) with 5 gigs data (which is way more than I use) and I’ve had no problems whatsoever. Every now and again, I have issues inside a retail store, but it’s so seldom that it matters not. We’ve streamed YouTube TV for about 10 years and are happy campers with the whole ball of wax that we now have.

[Snakster66]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

One thing I don't understand is why Verizon is always rated the best network for at least the past 20 years. Why can't other networks catch up to Verizon?

T-Mobile is now number 1 in most surveys. Their 5G network rates as superior to other networks. Verizon has not ruled the roost since the LTE (4G) days.

That is not to say that there is not variance in local situations. But overall, nationwide, T-Mobile is the new king.