| In this article I will explain the details of how you | | | | DirecTV Options |
| can get a really good deal on satellite television | | | | The largest provider of satellite television in the |
| service, but first I need to explain a couple of | | | | United States is DirecTV, and they have |
| options you may, or may not have known about. | | | | contracts with the largest telecommunications |
| I'll also tell you these are the cheapest ways to | | | | companies in the United States. AT&T, |
| get satellite TV, and that's not an exaggeration. I | | | | Verizon, and Qwest all offer DirecTV with home |
| would even stake my reputation on the fact. | | | | phone, wireless phone, and DSL or high-speed |
| Satellite TV Standalone or Bundled | | | | Internet all on the same bill. You do get a discount |
| Satellite TV is still generally less expensive than | | | | for having everything bundled together, but |
| cable, if even slightly, but there are a couple ways | | | | package prices can be different depending on the |
| to get satellite TV that can save you a little more | | | | levels of phone service, speed of Internet, and |
| money depending on whether you want bundled | | | | the number of channels and features you choose |
| services, or you prefer to just get satellite | | | | for DirecTV. Getting the DirecTV bundled package |
| television as a standalone product. With bundled | | | | makes good economical sense if you're using or |
| services you may be able to add phone and | | | | planning to use any of the other services |
| high-speed Internet to your package, and get a | | | | mentioned anyway, since you'll get a discount. |
| discount for having everything on one bill. With | | | | DirecTV as a standalone product is also a good |
| stand alone satellite you may be able to get a | | | | option, and if you're a first time customer you |
| discount for a specified number of months. | | | | can get a good discount for programming for the |
| Dish Network Options | | | | first year. Promotional packages start at $34.99 |
| Not too long ago you could get Dish Network | | | | for 150 channels. Though cheaper than cable, it's |
| from AT&T, which included phone service | | | | still about the same price, as the Dish Network |
| and DSL. Recently AT&T changed its satellite | | | | package that is $9.99 for the first six months, |
| TV provider, and now offers DirecTV. On the flip | | | | then goes up to around $35. |
| side of this, Dish Network now offers its own | | | | Dish Network vs DirecTV |
| brand of DSL and phone service, but it's not | | | | It's pretty easy to see that Dish Network will |
| widely available just yet. This year Dish Network | | | | cost considerably less than DirecTV as a |
| has also started a very aggressive campaign to | | | | standalone product, but where DirecTV really |
| increase its customer base by offering | | | | shines is when it is bundled through one of the |
| programming for $9.99 for six months. | | | | major phone companies at a discounted rate, |
| Now, before you get all defensive about that | | | | which makes it a viable alternative to lowering the |
| price only being for six months, don't forget that's | | | | cost of your overall elective utilities based on an |
| half of one year, and the programming only goes | | | | average monthly cost. There is no clear winner |
| up to $34.99 after the promotion has ended. | | | | here since it depends on your personal |
| That's still cheaper than cable for a comparable | | | | preferences, but the information provided here will |
| package. This also requires a commitment, but | | | | hopefully give you some insight as to which plan |
| that's the case with any bundled package deal at | | | | will be cheapest for you. |
| a discounted rate. | | | | |