Does bundling internet, TV and phone services make sense for you? Sales pros chime in!

Lisa Iscrupe

May 4, 2020 — 3 min read

With the right bundle, you could get all the services you need at one monthly price. Explore if bundling is right for you.

There are pros and cons to bundling your internet, TV, home phone and home security services and it may not be right for everyone. We spoke with industry sales professionals to get their insider advice on when bundling is the best option for you.

For those who are thinking about cutting the cord on cable, a bundle deal with home phone service and internet with Wi-Fi can provide the internet speed to stream, with the added security of a landline phone.

What we like about bundling

  • One-stop shopping – Purchasing everything you need for your home from one provider is convenient for setting up the installation, as well as moving services or contacting customer support.

  • Simple billing – Have one convenient bill to pay each month covering all of your services.

  • Faster speeds or more channels – Often, the plans featured in internet and cable TV bundles include faster download speeds or more channels than basic a la carte pricing options.

  • Promotional offers – Many providers have promotional offers, such as free installation, waived fees, premium programming or bonus features, to make bundle deals even sweeter.

Things to consider

  • Contract requirements – Companies that offer discounts on bundles often require you to sign a contract or agreement. Canceling your bundle before the contract ends could result in early termination fees.

  • Price increases – Many bundles come with promotional pricing that lasts for a certain amount of time, which means you can expect a rate hike during your contract. Of course, price increases are common with standalone services as well.

Why should you consider a bundle deal?

Our sales experts pointed out that convenience is a major factor in many of their customers’ bundle decisions. “Bundling creates a better experience for the customer because it makes maintaining services after installation easier for the customer since the services are bundled together,” said Atlanta-based sales pro Deangelo Hannah.

As you familiarize yourself with the details of each prospective bundle, be sure to compare their features side-by-side. Take note of the “extras” offers included in the bundle to see if you can get upgrades to your current plan for the same or similar price. When you bundle, you may be able to improve your current service with enhanced calling features, add premium channels to your TV package and boost your internet speed at no additional cost to you.

Very few ISPs offer bundle savings any longer, but Xfinity still does. For example, the cheapest Xfinity standalone internet plan with 100 Mbps is $39.99, but the Xfinity Choice Double Play bundle is $49.99/mo. and comes with 100 Mbps with the Limited Basic TV channels, which is normally $24.75 by itself, giving you a $14.75/mo. savings.

Choose your customizable bundle deals 

As the bundle pool gets more competitive, providers give customers more customizable options. For example, instead of a bundled TV service that includes seemingly every channel, try an Xfinity Instant TV and internet bundle for a personalized “skinny bundle.”

And Xfinity isn’t the only provider to offer customizable bundle options. Verizon Fios Mix and Match plans let you have total control over the services you choose, so you don’t end up with too much, or too little, of the services you need. 

Who should and shouldn’t consider bundling services?

Families or individuals who enjoy a lot of entertainment options, including access to premium channels, such as HBO®, should consider building a bundle since you may be able to get faster download speeds, more channel options and premium channels thrown in as a bonus add-on.

Light internet and TV users may need to weigh the options of a standalone internet or TV plan to see if the benefits of a bundle package are worth the extra cost. 

Cord cutting and bundled services 

What about customers who rely more on streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu, instead of traditional TV channels? Are bundle services still a bargain for cord-cutters? They can be. 

Consider this — the average American spends $55/mo. on streaming services. These days, most TV bundles come with their own on-the-go streaming apps and on-demand viewing that rivals streaming services in the number of titles available. According to experienced sales professional Nate Kaplan, his customers enjoy “the convenience of not having a ton of small transactions to keep track of like you do with all of the individual streaming services. It’s great to have everything on the same bill.” So, bundling TV and internet could give you more live TV and streaming options at a similar price point. 

Still not sure if building a bundle is right for you? Call our internet experts today to learn more about bundle pricing options available in your area!

Lisa Iscrupe

Written by:

Lisa Iscrupe

Writer, Broadband & Data Content

Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. In Lisa’s Words: Ever… Read more

Trey Paul

Edited by:

Trey Paul

Editor, Broadband Content

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