Question about Comcast billing

[shireen]

I hope this is the right place to post this question and rants.

Comcast has some peculiar billing practices that I don't understand. So i'm asking if other hi-tech service companies in the communications industry do the same thing to their clients.

Background:

I had a package that included
- an enhanced tv channel selection (no subscription channels like HBO)
- internet
- phone

I hardly use that phone because I use my cell all the time. But if I got rid of the phone service, I would be billed the standard price for tv and internet, which is higher in price than the package that has all three services. It's as if they're forcing you to use their phone service.

My bill was way too high so I decided to cut back from enhanced tv channel selection to a more limited selection, but keep the same internet service and stupid phone. That dropped the bill by $50. But wait ... I asked the rep, is this the standard price for this new service package? No, he said it was a promotional rate for the new package. It would last one year, then would increase $20 the following year, then increase $25 in the 3rd year. WTF?!!!

Do these billing practices happen at other cable companies? I'm amazed at how they're getting away with charging us such high prices.