Officially incorporated in 1873, Cincinnati Bell provides phone, TV and Internet service to a 2,400 square mile area in parts of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.   Depending on your location, you can set up a variety of service combinations, including unlimited local and long distance calling, ZoomTown® high speed Internet, and DIRECTV® phone, TV, Internet bundles.

As explained by Cincinnati Bell, ZoomTown® high speed Internet is actually driven by Cincinnati Bell’s Internet Service Provider (ISP), Fuse.  Along with the actual Internet service, Fuse also provides email and free anti-virus/anti-spam protection to ZoomTown® customers.

You can expect speeds from 768 kbps all the way to 5 mbps from ZoomTown® DSL high speed Internet.  As of this writing, there are two pricing tiers based on speed – fast or super fast.

With the popularity of phone, TV, Internet bundles, Cincinnati Bell has partnered with satellite TV provider DIRECTV® to bring hundreds of all digital TV channels, HD programming and even the NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ to its customers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

To see which packages are available in your area of Indiana, Kentucky or Ohio simply enter your address in the “Savings Widget” at the top of the page.

In today’s edition of “Get to Know Your Service Providers”, we’ll discuss Charter Communications, Inc.   Charter is currently the  fourth largest cable service provider in the country, providing phone, TV, Internet and bundles to over 5 million customers in 27 states.  Through its Charter Telephone® service, Charter is also the tenth largest landline provider in the country.

You’re in good hands if Charter high speed Internet is what you’re after.  On its website, Charter claims Internet connection speeds up to 20 mbps nationwide with up to 60 mbps in select markets through its Charter High-Speed® Internet Ultra.

Charter cable TV packages come with a variety of options and features, like:  HD channels, thousands of On Demand titles, premium channels and sports packages.

To see if you can Charter phone, TV, Internet in your area just enter your address in the “Savings Widget” at the top of the page.  You can compare plans and prices and sign up online free of charge.

Next on our list of service provider reviews is the recently created CenturyLink.

Although the name is relatively new, CenturyLink was created after the July 1, 2009 acquisition of Embarq by CenturyTel, CenturyLink is the largest independent telecommunications provider in the country.  Now available in 33 states across the country, CenturyLink is also the fourth largest telecommunications provider overall.

Building upon the history and achievements of both CenturyTel and Embarq, CenturyLink is a national competitor in the entertainment and communications industry.  After last year’s acquisition and rebranding, CenturyLink offers DSL high speed Internet, home phone service with unlimited local and long distance, and digital TV with local, premium and HD channels across the country.  CenturyLink customers can even get the NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ through a partnership with DIRECTV.

Check and see if you can get phone, TV and Internet with a CenturyLink “Triple Savings Bundle” by entering your address in our “Savings Widget” .

Moving right along with our service provider reviews, we’ll take a look at Buckeye Cablesystem and their VIP Bundle – Voice + Internet + Phone.

As their name suggests, Buckeye Cablesystem cable TV services are available in areas of Ohio and Michigan, specifically Toledo, Erie County and Southeast Michigan.  As a cable operator, Buckeye Cablesystem offers cable TV, digital phone, and high speed Internet.  Branded as “VIP”, offering voice, Internet and phone services, Buckeye also claims their service to be “the only true bundle”.

One would have to assume, since no explanation could be found on their site, that “the only true bundle” references Buckeye’s ability to offer phone, TV and Internet from a single provider.  In many cases, a single company doesn’t offer all three services, so the “bundle” is cobbled together from separate providers, such as phone and DSL from a phone company and digital TV from a satellite TV provider.

You can see if Buckeye Cablesystem’s VIP bundle is available in your area by entering your address in the “Savings Widget” at the top of the page.

Expanding our alphabetically organized review of different service providers, we come to Brighthouse Networks.  As a cable services provider, Brighthouse Networks provides phone, TV, Internet bundles, to areas of Indiana, Michigan, Alabama, Florida and California.

Fueled by innovations like “Start Over”, Brighthouse has made a name for itself as a JD Power & Associates award winner in customer satisfaction.  ”Start Over”, as described by Brighthouse, is an “exclusive enhanced TV feature for Bright House Networks customers that allows viewers to re-start a live program from the beginning anytime during its scheduled broadcast.”  There are currently 39 channels capable of using Start Over.

Brighthouse currently advertises hundreds of digital channels, free HD, On Demand shows and video, and unlimited nationwide calling.  See if Brighthouse cable TV is available at your house by entering your address in the “Savings Widget” at the top of the page.

With the ever present cell phone becoming more and more of a lifestyle device, some see home phone service as more of a relic than a necessity.  What about you?  Do you still need your home phone, your “landline”?  Here are 10 things to consider before giving up your landline, in no particular order:

1. Do you truly get everything you need from your mobile phone?  Ditching your landline may be a bad idea if you find yourself constantly running out of minutes on your mobile plan.
2. What bout 911?  Can your cell phone carrier make sure fire and rescue can get to you in time?  It’s definitely worth looking into.
3. And speaking of emergencies, have you ever experienced, “We’re sorry.  The network is busy.  Please try your call again later.”  Cell phone networks can, and have, experienced tremendous overload in times of true emergency.  There are simply too many people attempting to make calls and it clogs the whole network.  You’ve probably even experienced during regular peak times, like afternoon rush hour.
4. And what about power?  Will your VoIP work when the power goes out?  Chances are it won’t, because it relies on AC power for your modem.  No power – no phone.
5. There’s also battery power to consider.   If you’ve ever let your cell phone run completely out of juice, you’re all too familiar with it.  Typically, your wired landline doesn’t run out of batteries.
6. Telemarketers.  Sure, you can still get sales calls on your mobile phone or VoIP, but the traditional landline seems to really draw the telemarketers . . . just as you sit down to dinner.
7. Are you a creature of habit?  Some folks just want to have the landline, period.  Could they do without it?  Probably, but they’ve always had it.
8. Cost.  Many people suggest ditching the landline to save money.  Sure, one less bill is always a good idea, but are you truly saving?  If you’ve got a phone, TV, Internet bundle (or some variation), chances are good you’re getting a better deal already.  Depending on what kind of deal you get, having all three might very well be the same price (or marginally higher) as ordering just the Internet and TV.
9. Cell coverage in another area for consideration.  A mobile phone that works great out on the road may have spotty coverage in the house.  Personally, I can talk on the phone from inside an elevator at work, but I can’t make a call from my parents’ house.  It’s crazy.
10. Lastly, you’ve got to consider the kids.  You see a lot of kids with cell phones these days, but not everyone goes that route.  You may take comfort in knowing the landline is there in case of emergency or even if they just want to call a friend to play.  It doesn’t charge you by the minute and you can always pick up the other phone to remind them it’s time to hang up.

Have you been wondering if you even need home phone service anymore?  You’re likely not alone.  With the ever increasing options for VoIP, internet phone, and mobile phone plans, ditching your landline, the traditional home phone, is often seen as a way to save money.  Just make sure you truly don’t need that landline before you make your choice.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when thinking about ditching your landline:

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you still need your home phone service:

1. How is your cell phone reception at home? In some areas, mobile coverage is spotty inside the house.  If you find yourself having to walk outside to complete a call, your mobile phone may not be the ideal option.
2. Will you be able to make 911 calls? Emergency calls have been a hot button issue with VoIP services, because they are not required to carry emergency service  like traditional phone companies.  Some now include 911, but you can’t make a call if the power goes out.  That’s not very emergency friendly.
3. How’s your battery life? If you don’t regularly and reliably charge your mobile phone, you may find yourself out of luck.  Sure, home cordless phones may suffer the same fate, but the trusted corded phone doesn’t require batteries.
4. How many minutes do you have? If you talk a lot, and you don’t have an unlimited calling plan, you may want to keep your landline. It’s easy to forget how much time you’ve used and cell phone companies charge a premium for overages.  Those 2 minute calls could start to add up, ruining the very reason you dropped your landline in the first place – saving money.

Ditching your landline is a perfectly viable option these days.  However, you’ve got to be smart about it.  Going wireless or relying solely on VoIP isn’t for everybody.  Make your own checklist of pros and cons to be sure.

Internet Phone Service may sound like a real value when you compare the prices of VoIP Phone Providers with conventional home phone service. After all, you can get monthly service as low as $9.99 per month (and $2.99 per month for local and long-distance calls if you opt to use Skype). But there are hidden costs involved with VoIP Phone Service that you may not consider.

Taxes, Set-up and Connection Fees
Even with its low rate of $2.99 per month, Skype advertises a “connection fee” of an undisclosed amount. Some of the other well-known VoIP phone providers also advertise undisclosed “taxes and fees.” How much? It doesn’t say until you begin the sign-up process.

Early Termination Fees
Most VoIP phone providers require a one-year contract, and early termination fees apply. It’s worth noting that VoIP through your local cable company—the most common form of VoIP phone service—usually doesn’t require a contract and, therefore, has no early termination fees.

Overage Charges
One of the largest VoIP phone providers, Vonage, has several tiers of programs. The lowest cost calling plans limit the number of minutes you can talk, with rates up to 5 cents per minute when you go over the allotted minutes.

Read the fine print carefully before deciding on VoIP phone providers—if you talk a lot, your monthly bill may be higher than you expect. Of course, you can get unlimited calling through Vonage and other VoIP phone providers—at a price about the same, or just slightly less, than what you would pay with conventional phone service through your telephone company or VoIP through your local cable company.

Special Equipment
Some VoIP Phone Providers require special telephones or, at minimum, a VoIP adapter that connects to your high-speed modem and your home telephone. While most VoIP phone providers offer this equipment free of charge when you sign up—some don’t. Again, read the fine print carefully to see what’s included when you sign up for a VoIP phone plan.

Internet Service Costs
By definition, VoIP Phone providers (which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol) require Internet access to use the service. You’ll need broadband Internet access, which means either a DSL line, broadband cable, T1 connection, or digital satellite Internet. Prices vary from about $30 per month, up to hundreds for digital satellite Internet if you are in an area without cable or DSL capabilities.

If you purchase your broadband Internet access through your cable company, and bundle it with your home phone service and cable TV, you will save more money than purchasing Internet service alone. Additionally, with a phone/cable TV/Internet bundle, you’ll have only one bill to pay. You may also qualify for special perks and benefits offered through your cable company. When you run the numbers, are you really saving money purchasing VoIP phone service separate from your Internet access?

Once you’ve decided on a phone service option, visit Allconnect to find the lowest rates on Internet access and home phone service, and then compare those prices with the rates you’ll get if you sign up for VoIP service.

Don’t forget to shop around for phone/cable TV/Internet bundles, which may be the best way to save money on all your home communication needs.

From the old-fashioned Internet connection to your conventional telephone line, from Broadband cable to G4 WiFi connections through a cell phone and even lightning-fast T1 lines (prevalent in businesses), there are many different levels of Internet available.

But how much speed do you need for quality Internet Phone Service? Surprisingly, not as much as you might think. In fact, most people have more than enough bandwidth to take advantage of the money savings offered with an Internet phone service.

First, let’s look at the different levels of Internet service available and what they mean.

Conventional modem: The slowest of all Internet services, a conventional telephone modem is not recommended for Internet phone service. Then again, if you already have a conventional phone line that’s connected to your computer, you don’t need Internet phone service, since you’re paying for a land line. Forget this option if you’re looking at Internet Phone Service.

Broadband cable Internet access: Internet phone service through your cable provider is hailed as the highest-quality, most reliable service available. Your broadband cable Internet may slow down a bit during peak times, such as in the evening when there is a lot of data being transmitted over the lines, but overall, the Internet through your cable company is one of the fastest options available for home use.

Your broadband cable Internet access also enables you to use Internet phone service through another provider, such as Skype or Vonage.

DSL Internet : DSL Internet, from a company like Verizon FIOS, is often not quite as fast, on paper, as Internet through your cable provider, but it offers all the bandwidth and speed you need for Internet Phone Service. There are a variety of factors that can slow down your Cable internet connection, which won’t affect your DSL Internet connection, the actual speed of both services is fairly comparable..

Satellite Internet: If you live in a rural area that doesn’t offer DSL or broadband cable internet access, satellite Internet access is equally effective for Internet phone service through providers like Vonage, 8X8, Inc., and Skype. You’ll pay more for Satellite Internet access, but speeds rival DSL and broadband cable.

WiFi Internet access: If you use a laptop or netbook with WiFi access exclusively for your Internet service, you can’t use a conventional Internet phone service (like Vonage) or (obviously) cable Internet phone service through your cable provider. But you can still use Skype Internet phone service, which goes through your computer’s Internet connection, whether you’re using WiFi or a broadband internet connection.

Whatever your plans for Internet access and Internet Phone Service, you can find the best prices on high speed internet access when you shop online through Allconnect.

Are you shopping around for Internet Phone Service Providers? Internet phone service can offer you considerable savings over the cost of your Internet service and a separate conventional telephone service. But which Internet Phone Providers offer the best service, the most features, and the best rates?
Allconnect scoured the Web looking for reviews of Internet Phone Providers to find the best Internet Phone Service for our customers. Now you can shop online at AllConnect to make sure you get the best prices for your Internet service to support your new Internet Phone Service.

Vonage Internet Phone Service:

The most well-known of all Internet Phone Providers, Vonage has been around nearly a decade. Its distinctive orange logo and catchy jingle have made it nearly synonymous with Internet phone service—but is it really as good as its reputation? Consumer and expert reviews say, “Yes.”
While the price is a bit higher than many other Internet Phone Providers, the call quality is excellent (although not as good as cable VoIP, reviews say). Vonage offers a host of extras, including:

• Call waiting

• Caller ID

• Visual voicemail

• Weather alerts

• Add-on services like faxes for a low price

• Unlimited calling to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in Europe

The consumer review site ConsumerSearch.com ranks Vonage as the best traditional VoIP provider.

8X8, Inc. Internet Phone Service:

8X8 Internet Phone Service, formerly Packet8, became one of the lower-cost residential Internet phone providers in 2002. It has since expanded to include Internet phone service for small-to-mid-size businesses.
It was also the first of the Internet Phone Providers to offer Enhanced 911 support, which means that your internet phone service works essentially the same as a traditional landline when it comes to routing calls to emergency switchboards, where the 911 operators can track your address automatically (even if you can’t speak or are suddenly disconnected.)
Today, the FCC requires E991 (Enhanced 911) service from all Internet phone providers. But at a low monthly rate of $24.99 for unlimited calling (with a one-year contract) and a free, high-quality phone system, 8X8 remains one of the best values for Internet phone service.
You can read consumer reviews of 8X8′s Internet Phone Service as well as reviews of more Internet Phone Providers here, but be sure to re-connect to AllConnect to find the lowest prices on internet in your area.

Cable VoIP Internet Phone Service:

If you’re still not ready to get phone through an internet company you can bundle your internet and phone together through providers such as Optimum Cable, Time Warner, Cox, and Comcast.
Some of the benefits of getting Phone Service through your cable company Internet connection:
• Superior call quality, just like a conventional phone service landline
• Keep your own home telephone
• One bill to pay for cable, Internet, and phone service
• Extensive features, including call waiting, caller ID, three-way calling, and unlimited calling throughout the U.S.
• “Triple Play” discounts available for customers who purchase their cable, Internet, and Internet Phone Service through the same provider
• Benefits offered to cable television customers, including discount movie tickets and other perks
• You can read more about some of the ways getting a “triple play” bundle of cable, Internet and Internet phone service can save you money here.

What’s the best rate you can get on Internet phone service through your cable company in your area? Check out Allconnect for a free price quote.