| Provider | Channels | User Rating | Pricing | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Up to 290 Channels | | $10 - $109.98 | (205) 946-1154 |
 | Up to 330 Channels | | $35 - $110 | (855) 652-1629 |
There are more TV service providers available in Houston, AK than ever before, and while this is great in terms of the deals available to consumers, it can also make it difficult to narrow down options and pick the right one. That's where Wirefly can help, whether a consumer is interested in switching their home television provider, or they're moving to a new home and need to know what their options will be. All a consumer needs to do is punch their ZIP code in to see all the latest bargains for television plans, and the results include cable, satellite and fiber-optic options. The Wirefly tool also has bundle plans that combine television with internet, phone service or both for additional savings.
By comparing several satellite TV and basic cable plans, consumers get the opportunity to choose from several cable companies, broadband service providers, satellite providers that are available in the Houston, AK area. When using this tool, people can research upgrades like Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), High Definition (HDTV), and other several other upgrades. This website also provides access to guides and informative resources on various television subjects.
The main difference between cable and satellite TV is how their signals are transmitted. Cable TV transmits encrypted signals to your TV through a physical connection that involves electrical wiring and cables. Satellite TV, however, receives the signals that are transmitted to your TV by way of a frequency sent to your satellite dish.
If you opt for cable TV in Houston, AK, you will need a receiver that serves as the relay between the cable outlet and your TV. Cable companies frequently offer promotions to prospective customers as a way to help them decide on using their service. The specials they offer can add up to quite a savings to you over time. While the cable company may offer a service for free, it's important to be aware that they will still charge you a monthly maintenance fee on that service. Unless a particular provider is offering free installation, you should plan on paying around $200 for that aspect of the service.
Another consideration in choosing cable over satellite is dependability. Cable, because of its physical connectivity, is usually more reliable than satellite. Satellite is dependent on weather conditions, and if they're inclement, you may lose satellite service for a time. Prior to going too far into committing to cable, however, it's highly recommended that you verify that you are in an area that can get service. Cable is not always available in certain locations, such as the mountains.
Once you've chosen a cable TV company, plan on setting aside an entire day for installation. Cable companies in Houston, AK will schedule a date with you, but the closest they will narrow the time down is within a four or five-hour window. The installation process itself is fairly time consuming as well, so when the technician does arrive, you should plan on another several hours for him to complete his job.
You may also be offered the option of choosing an installation kit provided by the cable company. If you are so inclined, you could save yourself both time and money by installing cable yourself. This option is really only recommended for someone who either has the appropriate background to be able to set the service up. Otherwise, it's advisable to just accept the time commitment.
The broadcasting process for satellite TV in Houston, AK is much different than that of cable. It starts with the satellite TV company sending the TV signals out from its broadcast center, except instead of doing so via cable, it's sending the signal up to a satellite. The satellite then sends those signals down to satellite dishes setup to receive the TV signals. The way this technology works gets rid of the big flaw of cable TV – the physical connection between customer and TV company. As there's no connection required, a customer could get satellite TV despite being out in the middle of nowhere.
One drawback of satellite TV service is that the setup usually costs more than the setup with cable. It's often expensive to get a satellite dish in Houston, AK, and installation isn't cheap, either. Many of the top satellite providers do the installation and provide the dish with their plans, helping customers save money, but it's important to look over all the fine print in the contract to be sure. Satellites disadvantage compared to cable is that it's affected much more by poor weather conditions. Because of the position of the satellite dish, it could easily get knocked out of position or damage by bad weather, at which point the customer won't have service.
Another common freebie with satellite TV service plans is a DVR, and some providers even go with an HD DVR. The customer can use their DVR to watch content from anywhere in their home, pull up the latest On Demand shows and movies, put parental blocks on and record shows. Now, there are also quite a few cable providers offering free DVRs, which means this benefit isn't exclusive to satellite TV service providers. No matter which one the consumer chooses, there's still usually a monthly fee to have the DVR, and the typical cost is about $10 per month.
One of the newest aspects of technology that's currently being offered to both residential and business customers in Houston, AK is fiber optics. This is the fastest digital technology available. Fiber to the Home FTTH) is a very reliable service that is often provided as a bundled package, which includes telephone, Internet, and TV. While many customers still use cable or DSL for their network connections, you can't beat fiber optics for speed and reliability.
