Does anyone live in the Chicagoland area and have Comcast phone service?Tell me the pros and cons.?

Answer 1

I think the $33/$33/$33 deal is a ripoff. The worst part is the Comcast Digital Phone. Vonage @ $25 is cheaper, but the best deal is Sunrocket. You can get them for $199 for 15 months, then you can take $40 off of that via a rebate from http://sunrocket.greedybargains.com which means you have phone service with unlimited calling/long distance to US and Canada for $10.60/month! Combine that with AT&T DSL for $15/mo and Dish Network for $20 or $30/mo and you've got Comcast's "deal" smashed by about 50%! I'd start talking to Comcast's retentions department today and start telling them about how you're going to save over 50% going with dish, dsl and sunrocket and see if they can swing you something better to keep you as a customer.

Now that I've focused on the price as being a big con to Comcast, I'll tell you more about digital phone itself. It's just like having a regular phone but there's a few differences. There's a tiny delay that most people don't notice. You get the same thing on digital cell phones and you might notice you're interrupting someone a bit more or cutting them off when they're talking. The sound quality is just as good as a real phone so unlike a digital cell phone, it doesn't sound nearly as compressed. Digital phone does not work when the power is out. There are battery backups and UPS systems you can get that will power your cable/dsl modem and VoIP device when the power goes out, but depending what the system is like in your neighbourhood, you may still lose internet (thus your phone as well) when the power goes out as there's no power for the cable amplifiers out on the street so the signal is shut off even though your equipment may be powered via battery. Also, while you may get a good signal on your TV and what looks like a solid internet connection, digital phone is much more demanding of a reliable connection and will put that connection to the test. I know people who have had to get the cable guy out 3 times before it was working right. In the end, the guy had to replace the whole cable from the street to the house and inside wiring as well. Well I think that pretty much covers it. I'd try to steer you away from Comcast not so much on service but price. Like I said, you should be able to convince them to succumb to their competition's price points through the retentions department, especially if you've been a long-time customer of theirs. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate in dumping them and going with the cheaper choice.

Answer 2

I live in western Michigan and was told in Dec that they'd have their phone service ready. Well here it is Mar 7th, ain't ready yet. They take too much longer I'll go to Vonage from AT&T.
I have to admit $33 a shot sounds enticing.
As of today Mar 8th I got flyer in the mail, called Comcast. Looks they're in Grand Rapids, Mich now. To keep same number will take till Mar 14th (my birthday) to switch over. So won't kow for at least couple of months how they are.

Answer 3

i do not stay contained in those you reported, yet no longer something incorrect with Skokie, Des plaines may be bland, i imagine Mount Prospect is marvelous. All of those are rather North, so i could %. someplace efficient section.