The Common Networks Guide to Cord Cutting

How to cut the cord in three easy steps

Common Networks offers high-speed home internet starting at just $34 per month in Alameda and San Leandro. Learn more at www.common.net.

Do you have a landline number that you never use? Do you prefer to watch your favorite TV shows on your own time and fast forward through commercials? Do you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or other popular streaming services? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you might be ready to cut the cord — the cable cord, that is.

Slowly but surely, people have been ditching cable TV providers with outdated and overpriced “bundling” options in favor of affordability, flexibility, and choice. This big switch is what we call “cord-cutting.” Many of us at Common have made the switch, and we put together a how-to guide to help you navigate this ever-changing, growing, and maybe even overwhelming landscape.

Why Cut the Cord?

It’s predicted that in 2020, 44.3 million US households will have cancelled their TV or cable subscriptions. So why are so many people cutting the cord? We see three big reasons:

• Choice: The choices are endless. Now, you can decide what you subscribe to, what to watch, when to watch, how many episodes to watch, etc. Instead of signing on to a non-specific assortment of channels just to get your favorite five, cord cutters get to cherry pick their favorite content from tailored options.
• Fewer Interruptions: While some unpaid streaming services have the occasional commercial, the skip-able nature of paid streaming makes it so users don’t have to sit through long commercial breaks. It also means that you can watch two or twenty episodes at a time without missing a beat.
• Saving Money: Streaming services are more affordable than cable bundles. Studies show that cord cutters save an average of over $1,000 a year!

Now that you have a better understanding around the why, let’s get to the details about how to set yourself up for success when ditching cable.

Step One: Check Your Bandwidth

The first step to cutting the cord is checking your internet bandwidth. In the most simple terms, “bandwidth” just means the amount of data that can be transferred at a time — or the speed of your connection. The more bandwidth you have, the more data you can transfer to or from the internet at one time. Bandwidth is measured in Megabits per second, or Mbps.

To stream, or play online video content on your screen, you’ll need a certain amount of bandwidth. As a standard, the high definition videos played on streaming websites will require 5–8 Mbps. You should also consider a few additional factors:

• Household members: The number of people playing videos on their devices at the same time will affect your bandwidth needs. If you live with multiple people, you’ll want to make sure you have at least 10–16 Mbps.
• Downloads: If you plan on downloading shows, you’ll want to make sure you choose a higher bandwidth option. To frequently download videos, you will want 50 Mbps and up.
• 4K TVs: Streaming on the new 4K TVs uses more bandwidth — we recommend at least 25 Mbps per simultaneous 4K stream.

You can check out our bandwidth options at Common Networks here, and test your internet speed here.

Step Two: Connect A Streaming Device

Once you have the proper bandwidth, the next step is to ensure you have a connected TV device to stream from. If you already have a Smart TV, you may not need a separate device. Smart TVs can install streaming apps, and if you’ve purchased a new TV in the last 5 years, chances are that it’s a Smart TV. But if your TV doesn’t have built-in streaming apps, or if you prefer the wider selection of content offered on a separate device, a streaming device is a worthwhile investment.

There are several options to choose from (read more about them here and here), but we like the Roku Streaming Stick+ as a reliable, affordable, and well-rated device. If you use Apple products, you might prefer the interface of the sleek but pricier Apple TV.

Step Three: Choose Your Services

Like we mentioned above, cable isn’t just being replaced by one single entity. There are more options every year, and the options can be overwhelming. Our recommendations fall into two categories:

Live TV: If you want to be able to watch live TV, multi-channel streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling, and PlayStation Vue are the way to go. With them, you’ll have access to many familiar channels, including ESPN, ABC, CNN and more. Costs range from $25 to $50 a month. Common Strategic Partner Manager Michael Bero likes YouTube TV. “It’s less expensive than cable, and includes all the good channels (live sports and local news too) and none of the fluff.”

Allan Ng, Common’s Chief Marketing officer, also loves YouTube TV. “One feature I love is the unlimited DVR. You can save as many shows as you want. They have a handy feature where if you click the + button on any show, it will record every single show or episode related to it. I use that feature for the Oakland As, my favorite sports team, and it records every single game for me without me thinking about it.”

“It’s less expensive than cable, and includes all the good channels (live sports and local news too) and none of the fluff.” — Michael Bero, Strategic Partner Manager at Common Networks.

On-demand content: If you prefer to watch your favorite shows on your own schedule (or binge them all at once), you can skip the live TV services and instead subscribe just to the content you want to access. “I like being able to watch shows whenever I’m available to do so, without commercials,” says Lucy Beasley, Common’s head of People Operations. Netflix and Hulu are now household names in the streaming business, but more options are launching every year, with Disney, HBO, NBC, and Apple all having released new or updated services with their own original content in recent months. “Disney+ is great because I know the content is kid-friendly,” adds Lucy.

Some advice from the Common team to keep in mind as you’re considering your options:

Consider multiple services: The best TV solution for your household might be a combination of the above options — almost half of US households now subscribe to two or more of these kinds of services. For instance, if you have kids but like to stay up-to-date on the evening news, you may choose one service for its family friendly movies and supplement with another for its investigative reporting shows. Phillip Cooper, Customer Experience lead, advises being mindful of how many subscriptions you sign up for, though: “There are so many good choices, you have to pay attention to avoid creeping back toward cable prices!”

Take advantage of flexibility: The good news is, if you decide you aren’t using a service enough and want to cancel it, you can do that immediately. Unlike with cable companies, you don’t have to sign long-term contracts or use their equipment. Common co-founder and CTO Mark Jen regularly rotates his lineup to get access to the content his family wants at any given time. That’s what’s so great about cutting the cord: it’s all up to you!

Optional Step 4: Landline phone solutions

Many of our customers have opted not to have a landline phone at all, and instead rely on their mobile phone for all of their calls. However, if you prefer to keep your home phone, you can opt for a service that delivers calls through your internet connection! We like Ooma, which offers US phone service for about $5 per month (depending on your location) after a one-time purchase of their device.

You Cut the Cord… Now What?

Say you’ve done it. You’ve cut the cord, chosen the right service for you, and minimized your monthly TV bill. What’s next?

Well, now you’ll want to ensure you’re continuing to reap the benefits of cord-cutting. By staying up to date and informed on pricing changes, subscription options, and streaming news, you can get the most out of this shift in connectivity.

This is why we at Common will be updating this page with new valuable links on cord-cutting, along with more tips and tricks over time. Check back soon for the latest… and happy streaming!

Common Networks offers high-speed home internet starting at just $34 per month, all taxes, fees, and equipment included. Our service is currently available in Alameda and San Leandro — book your installation at common.net.