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Time Warner Cable has been testing a new expensive top shelf bundle that includes 50 Mbps broadband, unlimited VoIP service, and 180 channels. Initially trialed in the Charlotte market for $180 a month, the company today gave cable industry trade magazine <a href="http://www.multichannel.com/article/460821-Time_Warner_Cable_Unveils_Signature_Home.php">Multichannel News</a> an early press release declaring the service would be deployed throughout December "in markets capable of launching whole-home DVRs." As rumored, the white glove service includes a technician who'll actually show up at a specific time:
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Signature Service - A dedicated personal service assistant will ensure that a Connections Specialist is deployed to the customer's home in a timely manner. Connections Specialists will install all services and equipment and then assess additional connectivity issues and solutions based on individual homes and customer lifestyles.
The press release above doesn't mention it, but you'll obviously only get the 50 Mbps service as part of this bundle if Time Warner Cable has deployed DOCSIS 3.0 in your neighborhood -- and Time Warner Cable's DOCSIS 3.0 deployment has been very limited, since the company doesn't see next-gen competition in many markets. In markets without DOCSIS 3.0, Time Warner Cable is bundling this with the fastest speeds offered regionally -- usually topping out at 15 Mbps.
The price tag for the white glove service will vary depending on local competition. The <a href="http://www.timewarnercable.com/East/learn/signaturehome.ashx">Charlotte website</a> prices it at $180, though we've also seen the company advertise it at $190 or $200. You can't mention this luxury tier without mentioning that this launch comes just as data is showing that a growing number of consumers are starting to react poorly to high cable TV prices. Time Warner Cable's response to these customers was to first offer a low end TV tier of dubious value rife with restrictions, followed by a more carefully-designed tier aimed at those with ample disposable recession income.
Source: DSLReports.com
