Cox Communications 1

Over the past few years, I have grown increasingly frustrated with the ever-rising cable rates and the fact that I do not have the option to purchase only those channels I actually want to watch. Over the past ten years, the price of expanded basic cable service has more than doubled. During this time, Cox Communications has made no effort to meet the needs of its customers by offering more flexible cable packages. Instead, theyve used their monopoly status to force customers to purchase large and expensive packages of channels in order to receive the few channels that we actually want. In addition to inflating our cable bills, some of the channels forced upon us in the expanded basic package contain offensive material that we may not want in our homes.

Fortunately, this monopoly is FINALLY coming to an end.

I am thrilled that Verizon is entering the Rhode Island cable market so that cable subscribers will have a choice regarding our cable provider. I intend to switch my cable, phone, and internet service to Verizon as soon as it becomes available in my area. I only hope that more consumers will do the same and, in the process, encourage Cox Communications to focus more on the needs of its customers.

Cox Communications has enjoyed monopoly status for years. This lack of competition has hurt consumers by allowing Cox to squeeze consumers, drive up costs, and control content. Consumers deserve more flexibility when it comes to the programming we pay for, and Verizons entrance into the Rhode Island cable market will finally provide the much needed competition that will, hopefully, promote change and provide consumers with options that are long-overdue.