Cable Connections

company if you think rates are too high.”

Also consider digital satellite service (DSS)4a competitive alternative. It requires a dish and box that you purchase, alleviating the monthly rental fee for cable. “It offers many more channels and satellite customers tend to be more satisfied,” says Butler.

Other benefits of having cable or DSS include the ability to order pay-per-view prizefights and concerts, have digital music, and get up to 250 channels. But still, Consumers Union maintains that prices have gotten out of hand, citing statistics of cable rates rising at three times the rate of inflation since 1996. “As consumers, we have great influence over our elected officials. Contact them and your cable companies about your rate. If you don’t take the time to say it, they’ll never know how you feel,” says Butler.