Since we only have the phone with Qwest so far there has not been a problem. I also remember when they broke up the phone companies. The rates have gone up steadily since then and the service gone down. It was fine the way it was.

That is what has happened to all these companies that the government insisted in breaking up. Service has not improved and cost has sky rocketed.

Hi Jerzigal,

I remember the days when the gov't busted up the MaBell (T). Something about a monopoly. You had to buy or rent your phone from them, use their service and rely on them to support everything from the telephone poles to the jack in your house. Nationwide with some support from regionals; PacBell, SoCal Edison etc.

You take the good with the bad. Long ago we had one telephone in the hallway. A Party Line we shared with others.

Today you may have one device with you at all times that serves as a computer, telephone, movie projector, AAA map, directory, order flowers or a hit man and a means to reset your air-conditioning in your home. $50-100 a month-ish. Most of the time they work.

I have no complaints at all. The technology is great and sometimes the customer service help desk isn't. Though, some of the bull crap cust. service professionals have to put up with from their customers is enough to send them to psychological counseling. I respect them.

I am happy with Cox and have been with them forever with no trouble at all. I do not have a house phone, just advanced cable and highest speed internet.

Boo, without being too nosy, is your monthly charge plus or minus $100? I got an earful from someone recently about the big difference between Cox's advertised specials and the real bill.

Well, there are all kinds of taxes added but my monthly bill is about $98 total. I agreed to a 2 year contract to get my cable part very low. They want your business and will work with you in many ways to make you happy. I have never, in all the years I've used Cox, been treated rudely. But then, I am always extra nice when I call and don't get mad at them.

Alma, I can't see that you've mentioned what you're currently paying and for what service? Other than bad service what features are you paying for? Are you thinking it may be just as easy and wise to stay with your current provider?

Susie, I have internet (the best Qwest has to offer) and land phone. Total each month is @$71. I don't have problems with internet as a rule, or the phone. But when it does go out for some reason (and there are many, usually associated with the antiquated equipment in this neighborhood), the service is horrible. And, Boo, I'm nice, too, till I've been lied to, neglected and had my service call delayed for 5 days. Then I become a raving B***ch. I have to be concerned about cost - as well as service - as the outgo in this house about meets income head on. I'll be so glad when there's a job at the end of the MOTH's nursing school.

I am still dithering over making a switch, both because of increased cost potentially and because there is no fiber optic here. Cox would be using the same decrepit equipment as Qwest. At this point, I'll only switch if there is something to be gained.

Gained would be customer service and not being lied to, I would think.

We constantly had cable outage with Qwest, they stink....whatever name they are going by?