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The internet has taken on a crucial role in the current era by being the basic building block of all major communication channels used today. The ability of long-distance seamless communication that the internet provides is unmatched by any other traditional medium like telephone. Apart from communication, the internet is used for various other things ranging from professional to entertainment needs.
We see that nowadays the internet is a major component in all smart devices like smart TVs, smartphones, and smart home automation systems. On the other hand, multiplayer online gaming is only possible because of the internet. The concept of streaming apps and on-demand services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, and many more on which you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies are all thanks to the internet.
Since it is such an essential service in current times, especially with the pandemic, the importance of an internet connection has skyrocketed with more and more people adopting the online way of life through online classes, work from home, and E-commerce activities. Apart from the internet, the other service that is keeping people occupied and entertained in these dire situations is TV. Cable TV is also loved by every household in the US.
Stats show that there are almost 285 million TVs in use. One might say that the majority of these are smart TVs and people are slowly transitioning towards streaming services. This argument is true in a sense but some facts and figures also indicate that traditional cable TV is also thriving, with there being almost 34.34 million households still hooked up with cable TV subscriptions.
How to Get Services Installed in These Times?
Well, services like cable TV and the internet are an essential part of our current lifestyles and no matter how much people love them, there is always an argument that arises regarding the setup and installation of these services. Everyone agrees on this thing that getting your services installed is a humongous task in itself, especially for movers, because there are a lot of factors involved in places that are not wired or in rural places where there is no physical cabling and connections need to be hooked up wirelessly, usually through a satellite dish.
Installation is already a hassle but the pandemic has made the situation even critical. With measures like social distancing and lockdowns in effect, the difficult task of installation of services has become even more challenging. However, to counter this, many service providers have come with their own unique installation methods.
Installation Methods Currently in Use
There is a standard professional installation method that allows users to just call the customer service of their provider and set up an installation schedule. In this regard, TWC customer service is the best since you can flexibly change the appointment window and provide special instructions to technicians with only a call.
However, there is a new type of installation method by the name of self-installation, which has been gathering a hype of its own. Here we are going to discuss both of these methods, explaining the pros and cons of these techniques, and showing you which option to go for in current circumstances.
Professional Install
This is the conventional method for installation in which you get the assistance of a technical installer to come to your place and install the services. This is a handy option for those who are not that tech-savvy and can’t get it hooked up by themselves. Also in houses that are not prewired, this becomes the only installation option since the house has to be completely wired first before the services can be hooked up.
This is a convenient way of getting services installed since not much effort is required on part of the user, and especially when users are getting bundled services, they should go for professional installation since it becomes tedious to set up different ports for internet, TV, and phone. Regardless of the benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks to this method as well which should be kept in consideration.
The biggest con is that since it requires a technician to physically install the services, many people may find it uncomfortable due to the social distancing practices. The other thing is the cost factor since these installations don’t come cheap and may cost anywhere between $50 to $200 for a professional install. Other than being time-consuming, the appointment window is usually 1 to 2 weeks for these pro installs, since technicians are already on a tight schedule and the current pandemic situation has made it even worse.
This might be a concern for users who are looking to set up the services as soon as possible. But even in the light of all these drawbacks, the importance of a pro install cannot be undermined and it is still a viable option to get the services installed conveniently.
Pros
- Convenient for old-school users
- Requires little-to-no consumer input
- Best for non-wired houses
- Ensures the best performance
Cons
- Costly
- Time-consuming
- The appointment might be delayed in some cases
- Compromised in social distancing environments
Self-Install
This is another type of installation method, which has been adapted during the pandemic and is gradually getting popularity both among consumers and providers alike. Self-install is a pretty self-explanatory type of installation method in which all the necessary equipment for services like internet and TV including modems, routers, and cable boxes, and all the wiring and cables are sent to the consumers in the mail or through the store pickup option.
All this equipment comes in the form of a self-installation kit. This kit not only includes the equipment but an instruction manual as well which has easy-to-follow steps that the user can follow to set up the services. This is a cost-effective method since consumers don’t have to pay for heavy installation costs that come with the pro install and can practice social distancing as well since little to no physical contact is required in this option.
But there are certain limitations associated with the self-install option as it is only viable in houses that are pre-wired. Plus most users are not that technically aware to perform the self-installation. Some providers don’t offer a self-install option since it requires sophisticated equipment like a satellite dish or fiber optic cabling that a user cannot hook up by themselves.
It may also become tedious for users who have ordered bundled services like the internet and TV to set it up all by themselves. Regardless of the drawbacks, self-install is a much viable option to opt for in the current world climate since it allows users to quickly get the services installed without much wait and external assistance.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Installation is quick
- Is safe since no physical contact is required
Cons
- Not applicable to non-wired houses
- Not all providers offer the service
- Difficult to set up for some users
Conclusion
Installation is the final step in the process to start the services and for some, it can be a difficult phase due to the current pandemic situation. That is why most providers have made it simple for users to select the desired installation procedure based on their requirements. It eventually comes down to users’ own preference that which method they like to choose and how they want the services to be installed.
