The Challenges and Opportunities of Cord-Cutting in 2020

Cord-cutting has gotten simpler in recent years, but it means a strong home wireless network is more important than ever

If you’re like most people in America, you can’t stand your cable company. Cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner Cable are some of the most loathed companies in the country, and generally for good reason. In many cases, customer service is abysmal, prices are high with no competition, and you’re not even guaranteed to get the network speeds you’re paying for.

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to ditch your cable by “cord-cutting.” Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, along with digital TV providers like Sling that don’t use the usual cable TV infrastructure, can provide endless hours of entertainment, often at a significantly lower price than cable.

This does not mean, however, that cutting the cord is always easy. If you’re relying on the Internet for your entertainment, you need a network that can handle all the data you’ll be streaming around your home. This is particularly true of your home wireless network, and today we’ll look at both the opportunities and challenges of cord-cutting if you live in Utah’s Park City region.

SEE ALSO: Can Your Home Network Services Keep Up with Your Devices?

CUTTING THE CORD

Cutting ties with your company isn’t as fraught as it used to be. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO and Disney all have streaming video services you can subscribe to, and there are niche services like Criterion (for older classics) or Shudder (for horror fanatics) that cater to specific demographics.

Cutting the cord doesn’t mean you have to give up on watching live channels in your home theater. If you’re looking for a live TV option besides your current provider, you have options there, as well. Sling is the most well-known option here, but there are others. Some specific channels also have proprietary streaming platforms for live events, such as ESPN for sports. With some research and a little determination, you can find a combination of cable TV alternatives to suit your lifestyle and entertainment needs.

MAKING THE BREAK

It may be easier than ever to find content to replace what your cable provider offers, but there are other challenges to consider before cutting the cord. The primary issue is that streaming all this video content puts additional strain on your home network. If you’re primarily relying on wireless connections to stream movies or TV, that additional strain becomes an even bigger potential problem.

There are also simply more devices than ever that rely on your home network to function properly. In addition to your TV and computers, you have laptops, gaming consoles and home automation systems like lighting control or motorized shades. More devices with Wi-Fi capability and more data streaming over your network means your home wireless network could buckle under the strain.

This is where a company like Ratio AV comes into play. Our expert technicians will go through every piece of your network to make sure everything is working properly. We’ll examine your wiring, your modem and router, and the position of all your devices to ensure you’re getting maximum Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. If you’re having signal strength issues, we can set up Wi-Fi extenders or additional wireless access points to boost your existing signal.

Don’t settle for the frustrations you’ve put up with from your cable provider. Call Ratio AV today at (801) 309-3055 to see how we can upgrade your home wireless network and change the way you enjoy your favorite entertainment. You can also visit our contact page or leave a message in the chat box below.