Calling them “Everyday Low Prices,” cable colossus Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) has begun offering double- and triple-play bundles where the price stays the same, but are minus key and often pricier, features and content.
The components of the consumer bundles are Digital Economy Video, Economy Internet Service (up to 768 kbps speed) and Comcast Digital Voice Local with More.
The Comcast materials say customers can pick any two or get all three for less than $30 each per month. The offer is not available in all areas and is limited to new residential customers.
Less than $60 a month for a double play and under $90 for a triple play doesn’t appear to be a huge savings given Comcast and Verizon have long been marketing triple plays with far more content, faster Internet speeds and flat rate calling, for $99 a month for a year, and sometimes two. Smaller operators, such as SureWest Communications (SURW) offer bundles below this common monthly price.
Digital Economy Video sports an all-digital lineup with channels such as A&E, Disney Channel, Comedy Central and CNN, and includes 46 channels of digital music and parental controls, according to Comcast.
Conspicuous in its absence is mention of Channel 1 On Demand, a video-on-demand capability that lets consumers view free and pay TV shows and movies. Also missing is any mention of premium movie channels such as HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax, etc.
Also, there’s no mention of access, free or otherwise, to high-definition (HD) programming.
Economy Internet Service comes with an Enhanced McAfee Security Suite, a $120 value the cableco claims, and a feature that simplifies switching e-mail addresses by notifying people of the new e-mail address.
By comparison, Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is in the final week of an Internet-only price promo for up to 1 mbps of $9.95 for the first six months of a one-year deal and $19.95 for the rest.
Users will need to buy an access device, such as a cable modem, to use the Internet service.
Comcast Digital Voice Local with More offers unlimited local calling, five cents a minute for any-distance calling for direct-dialed calls anywhere in the U.S., 12 calling features and the ability to keep your current phone number.
It’s unclear how attractive the voice service will be, given other operators offer unlimited local and long-distance calling in the U.S., and often beyond, for a flat monthly fee, usually around $25 a month with free months or $10 per month introductory pricing.
Beyond the $30 price mention, the Comcast material does not provide specific pricing. Customers will also pay for equipment and installation, as well as taxes and fees such as franchise charges, the cableco notes.
Finally, at the end of the fine print, Comcast notes that “pricing and services are subject to change,” which may raise questions with consumers as may any mention of how long in a subscription the prices stay at the listed level.
