Breezeline Bill

[NH.Solar]

THe Co-op plays by it own self made rules and doesn't necessarily go by the NHPUC directives. Case in point check out their renaewable energy net metering crediting rate which exceeds 35% in the discount in spite of the PUC ruling of about four years ago that limited that utilty discount to ~25%. If you ask any of the Co-op directors about this they will say that "they are an independant utility" and that is true ...but didn't the NHPUC grant them the franchised territory? and shouldn't they have to function under the same public utility rulings?

[Lakegeezer]

The Spectrum TV franchise agreement with Moultonboro has an automatic renewal clause in it, meaning it doesn't expire if negotiations don't produce a new agreement. I can't imagine how a town could force out a provider, where this clause was in place. As Cable TV firms are switching to streaming, the concept of a town franchise is becoming increasing quaint.

[Garcia]

My frustration is not with the cost of cable - that's an easy fix, but the cost of the internet itself. Both my home and island property have exactly one reliable provider, and it isn't cheap - and gets more expensive every day.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Garcia

My frustration is not with the cost of cable - that's an easy fix, but the cost of the internet itself. Both my home and island property have exactly one reliable provider, and it isn't cheap - and gets more expensive every day.

How much are you being 'dinged' for Internet service? What kind of speeds are you getting for that price?

I know the video side can be quite expensive as it isn't the cable company setting the subscription rates, but the content providers. They also inform the cable operators which service tier each of their channels will occupy. They can also force 'niche' channels to be carried even if no one watches them.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

How much are you being 'dinged' for Internet service? What kind of speeds are you getting for that price?

I know the video side can be quite expensive as it isn't the cable company setting the subscription rates, but the content providers. They also inform the cable operators which service tier each of their channels will occupy. They can also force 'niche' channels to be carried even if no one watches them.

At my home in MA my only option is Spectrum, about $150/month and on the island, Breezeline, about $125/month. I don't recall the speeds off the top of my head but in both places someone (sometimes multiple people) can work remotely (on Zoom) while someone else is streaming something.

[MeredithMan]

I've been reading this thread with great interest. We are paying stupid money, (like $300+/mo), in both Bedford and Meredith for Triple Play service, and that is without any premium channels. Our daughter just moved into a new place in Merrimack and has xfinity internet and youtube tv, all for around $150+ per month, and is quite happy. We want to try to do the same.

Has anyone made the switch from Xfinity and Breezeline TV to Youtube TV? For Xfinity, it appears that I need to cancel my Xfinity TV service first, as the Youtube TV app does not show up in the Samsung Smart Hub of apps available on the TV. Do I need to swap out the router as well? I currently have the Xfinity X1 router, which I think is the one needed for TV service, as well as internet? I want to keep the Xfinity internet and phone service and then get Youtube TV. I'm trying to avoid multiple trips to the Xfinity store and just go in there once with the gear I need to return to make this change.

Ditto for Breezeline.

Appreciate any insight from anyone who has done this already.

Thanks.

[Winilyme]

It sounds like you may have a combo Xfinity router/modem. I would return that after purchasing your own (1) modem and (2) router. Just be sure the modem is on Xfinity's (or alternate providers) list of supported devices (you should be able to find that list on their website). You'll lose the monthly fee you're now paying for Xfinity's combo unit and rather quickly pay back the cost of your own equipment.

From a router perspective, you'll need to choose from a standalone router that may be sufficient if your home is small and the router is centrally located (this may be the case if a single Xfinity router is currently satisfying your signal quality needs). If your home is larger and/or multi-floored, I suggest going directly to a mesh WIFI system that will ensure you have great coverage throughout your home and outside spaces via a main router (connected to your modem) and one or more wireless router nodes strategically positioned around your home. It makes a huge difference in providing seamless, speedy and reliable coverage. The catch is you'll pay more for this system; how much so depends on the equipment brand, specs and number of nodes. Consumer Reports has a good write-up on mesh systems. Start there and spend some time reading from the countless equipment reviews online.

In summary, all you should need to stream YouTube TV should be the Internet (via the modem) and a way to distribute that signal to devices around your home (via the router). There should be no need for any provider equipment - only your own modem, router and smart TV/devices. To get the Internet, all you'll need from Xfinity is their signal (or another preferred providers signal if available and as you choose). Negotiate their Internet cost while being sure not to pay for more data speeds than you need. Of course, a YouTube subscription will carry a monthly cost as well.

Note that I don't claim to be an expert on this stuff but I have benefitted from a mesh system for six or so years and as I'm now upgrading to a more advanced one, I've done a bit of research lately. I can't speak to the phone service as I have Verizon.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[smith point boater]

I've been reading this thread with great interest. We are paying stupid money, (like $300+/mo), in both Bedford and Meredith for Triple Play service, and that is without any premium channels. Our daughter just moved into a new place in Merrimack and has xfinity internet and youtube tv, all for around $150+ per month, and is quite happy. We want to try to do the same.

Has anyone made the switch from Xfinity and Breezeline TV to Youtube TV? For Xfinity, it appears that I need to cancel my Xfinity TV service first, as the Youtube TV app does not show up in the Samsung Smart Hub of apps available on the TV. Do I need to swap out the router as well? I currently have the Xfinity X1 router, which I think is the one needed for TV service, as well as internet? I want to keep the Xfinity internet and phone service and then get Youtube TV. I'm trying to avoid multiple trips to the Xfinity store and just go in there once with the gear I need to return to make this change.

Ditto for Breezeline.

Appreciate any insight from anyone who has done this already.

Thanks.

See my post #10 above - We went from $350/month to around $100 after a one time $200 expense for 4 Roku devices

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

The Spectrum TV franchise agreement with Moultonboro has an automatic renewal clause in it, meaning it doesn't expire if negotiations don't produce a new agreement. I can't imagine how a town could force out a provider, where this clause was in place. As Cable TV firms are switching to streaming, the concept of a town franchise is becoming increasing quaint.

I have no idea how common an automatic renewal clause is part of a franchise agreement. I do know that LRCTC towns have 10-year terms of their agreements.

As far as forcing a provider out of a town can happen if the cable provider violates the terms of the franchise agreement. That's one of the reasons Breezeline is "in trouble" - they closed their local customer service office in Belmont even though it is required by the franchise agreements. Breezeline has told the towns "Too bad. You'll just have to go to Rochester or Concord. That's close enough." It didn't matter to them that a local office is required by contract.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

I have no idea how common an automatic renewal clause is part of a franchise agreement. I do know that LRCTC towns have 10-year terms of their agreements.

As far as forcing a provider out of a town can happen if the cable provider violates the terms of the franchise agreement. That's one of the reasons Breezeline is "in trouble" - they closed their local customer service office in Belmont even though it is required by the franchise agreements. Breezeline has told the towns "Too bad. You'll just have to go to Rochester or Concord. That's close enough." It didn't matter to them that a local office is required by contract.

I am sure that subscribers will not mind.
As having a local office would mean higher rates.

SO if Breezeline just raises rates and provides that it was because of the local office requirement... local boards should expect irate customers at their doorstep.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by NH.Solar

THe Co-op plays by it own self made rules and doesn't necessarily go by the NHPUC directives. Case in point check out their renaewable energy net metering crediting rate which exceeds 35% in the discount in spite of the PUC ruling of about four years ago that limited that utilty discount to ~25%. If you ask any of the Co-op directors about this they will say that "they are an independant utility" and that is true ...but didn't the NHPUC grant them the franchised territory? and shouldn't they have to function under the same public utility rulings?

The Co-op is regulated by the PUC, but only for the electrical utility side. On the other hand, they cannot easily offer NH BB service outside their service footprint.