Also known as a bundled package, a bundle package is a defined group of electronic services that are offered to customers at a single discounted rate. A package of this type may include such services as high-speed Internet access, cable or satellite television, cellular phone service, landline phone service, and even gaming options. Many people find these packages are a great way to save money, while others feel that the potential drawbacks to a bundle package outweigh the benefits.
Many different companies offer the option of a bundle package today. Internet service providers, cable systems, and even telephone services are likely to have at least a few package options to choose from. Some services have prepackaged bundles with a specific number and type of services included. Other companies allow consumers to build their own customized packages, including only those services that the individual customer wishes to receive.
One of the main benefits of a bundle package is the lower price for the overall collection of services included. A typical package including cable television, home phone service, and high-speed Internet service can cost anywhere from thirty to fifty percent less than purchasing those three services separately. Over the course of a year, this can mean significant savings to the household.
Another advantage of the bundle package is the ease of billing. All services included in the bundle are accounted for on one monthly invoice. This means the customer only has one bill to manage, rather than dealing with several individual monthly obligations. For some consumers, this means there is less chance of overlooking one of those monthly bills and possibly experiencing an interruption in service or incurring late fees.
One other oft-cited benefit to the bundled package is the ease of getting assistance when needed. Rather than having several vendors to call when moving to a new location, one phone call to the company who provides the bundle package makes it possible to arrange the transfer of all services to the new address, as well as the termination of services at the former residence. From this perspective, the bundle package can save a great deal of time as well as money.
Not everyone agrees that a bundle package is the way to go. Depending on the needs of the consumer, it may actually cost more to purchase bundled services than to subscribe to individual services with different providers. For example, a consumer who uses a cell phone infrequently may actually pay less by purchasing prepaid cell service rather than bundling it with home service and cable.
There is also some concern about service outages with a bundled package. By using the same provider for several different services, there is an increased chance of all those services being affected in the event that the provider experiences some sort of operational or network issue. This is particularly true when the home phone, cable, and Internet access are all provided via a single cable to the home. Until service is restored, the consumer is unable to browse online, watch television, or make telephone calls using the landline. Fortunately, many companies that offer bundled packages have safety features in place that greatly minimize the potential for this type of problem.
