Consumer Reports' Paul Reynolds says getting your TV, home phone, and Internet service from the same provider could save a bundle.
"Prices for bundled services are down as much as 20 percent in the past year. And because of competition, your rate may not go up once the promotional period is over," said Reynolds.
But Consumer Reports says most people don't need to pay extra for the highest-speed Internet plans.
"If you don't download or share a lot of lengthy videos or large files, it's probably not worth paying for that premium option," said Reynolds.
And if you're like Mary Linkowski and don't watch a lot of TV or make a lot of calls, you may save money buying your TV and home phone separately.
A just-published Consumer Reports' survey of its subscribers found the Internet phone service Vonage is a standout for value. It has plans as low as $17.99 a month.
"It can take a lot of time to sift through the offers for TV, phone, and Internet even within one carrier. But in today's competitive market, it can really pay off," said Reynolds.
And it also makes your bills a bit more bearable.
The Consumer Reports National Research Center says subscribers were very satisfied with Internet, phone, and TV from the fiber services -- AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS. These are regional companies that are moving into more and more areas.
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