The End of Deals?

I mentioned how I helped a client save over $500 annually on their Comcast bill last week.  Unfortunately, that might be the last notch I can put in my “service savings belt” for a while.  One thing I predict is that it is going to be harder to strike deals with them in the new year due to their “Vision 2020” campaign.  This is an internal company framework which states that they are not going to give discounts to existing customers like they used to.   The reason why I was able to save the aforementioned client so much was because she was paying for a pricing model that was out of date for the package she had.  There were no contracts or promotions signed up for.   Of course you can save money by cutting services, but when I bring that up not many have an appetite for doing so.  Be flexible, consider competitors, especially those areas of West Hartford where Go Net Speed exists. 

Cell Phone Market Is Changing – Part 2

I see real changes coming to the market toward the end of the year and going forward.   Remember, back in the day, when Verizon was known for those “Can you hear me now?” commercials with Test Man Paul? (He works for Sprint now, go figure!)   Their greatness was built on their CDMA digital calling network which launched in the mid 1990s.  As analog was phased out in the early 2000s, that Verizon CDMA signal was known to penetrate everywhere — especially buildings.   Starting in around 2014, Verizon, ATT and the other carriers began rolling out calling on their LTE data network.  Some would argue that the calls are clearer, but I think the signal just doesn’t have the reach of the old CDMA and legacy calling networks.   ATT shut down their GSM network a few years ago, but they still have 3G calling to fall back on along with LTE.   Verizon’s CDMA calling network will be completely shut down by 01/01/21, after extending the deadline by a year in 2019.

Verizon says the CDMA shutdown is necessary to fully roll out LTE and 5G everywhere.  This is a last call for all of the Verizon people out there.  If you have an iPhone 5s or older, old Android phone (non LTE calling), or old flip phone —  You will need a new device by the end of 2020.   Verizon has no 3G calling network to fall back on. I really wonder if the improvements to the LTE calling network will make up for the elimination of CDMA.  Furthermore,  5G will add new wavelengths and capacity that we can communicate on but 5G phones are cost prohibitive right now and owned by so few.   Wait until Apple starts selling 5G phones, then you know it will be the right time to buy one.  Then you will know that this new technology is ready for everyday use.