(UPDATE: This post is still worth reading, but loyal reader Braden was quick to correct some of facts. Check out the comments at the end.)

When Google Voice came out last year offering free local numbers, I instantly grabbed one each for both my wife and myself. She currently uses her Google Voice number for her Chicago dessert table business. And we can set it up to forward calls to her cell phone, or just act as a dedicated voice mailbox with a specific greeting. I have yet to use my number. But Google's recent "number porting" announcement has given me a great reason to.

Because when my wireless contract is up, I am going to cancel my phone service. Remember the law that came out several years ago saying you could keep your number if you switch carriers? Well, for a 1-time number porting fee of $20, you can now switch that number to Google.

When people call you, you can utilize Google Voice the same way you accept calls now. Voice mail works the same, with the benefit of transcription as well. The only difference? The call takes place over your data network. You no longer need a voice plan. You better believe I'm making the leap the second I can without penalty.

I hate Comcast. Simply because they're a monopoly. It's like a girlfriend you desperately want to dump, but there are literally no other females on the entire planet.

Still, I wanted to try. I wanted to cut the cord. But, it turns out they're prepared for this.

You see, I wanted to unsubscribe from cable entirely. My goal was to use my QAM-unencryption capabilities on my Samsung TV to still get my local channels in HD, for the vast majority of live shows and sporting events that we watch. And then utilize Hulu Plus and Netflix for the rest.

Comcast had two defense strategies for this plan. One, if I got rid of my cable plan, my Internet costs would rise by $10/mo. Two, they would come out and put a block on my line so that I wouldn't even be able to access the local digital channels. And I would have to pay $10 for their guy to come out and do this.

Now, this obviously infuriated me. I'm quite certain it can't be legal. I'm not under contract. So an arbitrary fee for removal of service?? Why not just charge $2,000 and ensure no one ever leaves?

Their suggested alternative? Go down to a "basic cable" plan for $20/month and my Internet rate would stay the same. So for a net $10/month, I don't have to buy and install an antenna on my roof to get local channels. Sort of worth it to me, for now at least.

"Wait, so now that you're down to local channels, you're missing out on all that content you used to get?"

That's partially true. But, it's why we signed up for Hulu Plus (at $7.99/mo) and Netflix (streaming only at $7.99/mo)

While some Food Network and HGTV shows are included via Hulu Plus, this is the biggest content loss for my wife. And I no longer get to watch SportsCenter. But in exchange for the cost savings, we're getting a huge content increase. Hulu Plus offers not only full seasons, but full series of hundreds of shows. This includes current seasons, with new episodes released the day after air.

And Netflix's streaming library is much more limited than their mail-order library. But we use our local library to check out new releases free of charge.

"Wait, how are you watching Hulu Plus and Netflix on your TV?"


Our old Comcast bill was $95.70
Now it's $72.63.
+ 7.99 for Hulu Plus + 7.99 for Netflix and we're at $88.61.

A net savings of only $7.09/mo. But it's a start. And it's a savings, along with a huge content and convenience increase. And I'm not done haggling with the evil Comcast reps. Just a matter of time before we go even lower.

Tomorrow, How I Plan on Cancelling my Wireless Phone Plan.