SPECTRUM

“Having said that, you’re impacting the network when you do this, so things can happen. But by and large, it’s been extremely smooth — especially when you consider we are completely upgrading the network from

analog to digital.”

The faster internet speeds resulting from the upgrade are an important feature as Spectrum tries to answer the challenge of competitors wooing dissatisfied subscribers who have “cut the cord,” said telecommunications analyst Jeff Kagan.

“Going forward, the internet is how companies will bring television to customers,” Kagan said. “Charter is

following Comcast, AT&T and Verizon in making this upgrade.”

Even cord-cutters still need internet access if they want to watch more than local over-the-air stations, which means that total price even for TV service delivered via the internet can be close to a standard cable fee.

Spectrum is attempting to answer customer desire for “a la carte” selections with Spectrum TV Choice, which offers local broadcast channels plus a choice of 10 popular national networks from a list of 65 that includes such standard cable fare as CNN, Discovery, ESPN, Fox News, HGTV, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, TBS and USA, among others.