File photo Spectrum Cable is in the process of transitioning fully to digital, which means customers will no longer be able to access cable television without a digital box. The all-digital upgrade in the western New York region started in January, with different communities across the region upgrading each week through June. What does this mean if you're a cable customer? Here are five tips to help you navigate the current digital transition: 1. Why the shift to all-digital? Spectrum’s all-digital upgrade is about giving customers a best-in-class TV and voice experience, and freeing up network capacity — faster broadband speeds, more High Definition, On Demand content and new features, said Charter Communications spokesman Andrew Russell.
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How much will the change cost? The vast majority of customers already have at least one piece of digital equipment in their homes, so for most, this is about connecting a secondary TV, Russell said.
Most customers will be eligible for a free digital receiver, for a limited period of time, depending on their package. After the free period — or for any additional boxes beyond the free ones a customer may be eligible for — it’s $6.99 per month for Spectrum and $11.75 per month for legacy Time Warner customers. With the Spectrum launch of Spectrum packages in the region last March, the company stopped offering Time Warner packages to new customers, but there are still some existing customers who are on those legacy Time Warner packages and promotions. More: How consumers are reacting to Spectrum's digital upgrade 3. How do you make the switch? Spectrum is directly notifying customers of their specific upgrade date and the need to acquire a Spectrum digital receiver for each of their television sets, Russel said. Spectrum’s service area includes customers in and around the cities of Buffalo and Rochester, as well as in communities across the region, including Batavia; Canandaigua; Geneva; Greece; Lockport, Niagara County; Macedon, Wayne County; Niagara Falls; and Webster.
You may pick up the additional cable boxes at Spectrum business locations. Customers who do not want to go in person may make the request online or over the phone. Go to spectrum.com/digitalnow or call (800) 892-4357 for more information.
Store hours listed below are regular hours; extended weekday and Saturday hours will be added at every store to accommodate customers throughout the all-digital upgrade. Hope Ave., Rochester: 8 a.m. Mondays through Fridays; 8 a.m.
29 Cedar St., Batavia: 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.
4776 South Lake Road, Brockport: 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m.
Commercial St., East Rochester: 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. 3518 Sutton Road, Geneva: 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. 80 Ridge Road, Webster: 9 a.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m.
How does this impact Internet speeds? The benefits of this upgrade will play out over months and even years, as we redeploy that capacity for faster internet speeds, more channels and more features, Russell said. 'We’re committed to bringing faster internet speeds to the communities we serve, with no contracts or data caps, ' he said. The new Spectrum Internet speeds are being boosted from 60 to 100 Mbps, at no additional cost. How is the equipment different?
With the use of two-way, fully interactive digital receivers, Spectrum customers will gain access to thousands of On Demand movies and shows for every TV in their home, as well as advanced program guide, search and parental control functions, Russell said.