Case Study Homeowner Successfully Switched from Cable TV to Streaming

How One Homeowner Successfully Switched From Cable TV to Streaming

This week, we helped a customer “cut the cord” and transition from traditional cable TV to a faster, more flexible streaming setup. They moved from a combined Xfinity cable TV + internet package to a new provider with better internet at a lower monthly cost.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step look at what they did, why it worked, and the results they’re enjoying now.

Step 1 – Switching Internet Providers

The first step was choosing an internet provider that offered the right balance of speed, reliability, and price.

What we evaluated:

  • How many devices needed internet (TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, security systems, Ring cameras, etc.)
  • Whether the home needed basic speeds or something faster
  • Monthly cost vs. actual performance

Most providers offer “speed packages.”. They often fit into the providers selections, not yours. I like to look at what your needs are not the internet service providers.
For example, our customer compared options like a 300 Mbps download plan for around $30/month. They chose the providers 1gb plan because he runs his business and uses it for personal which for them was plenty for streaming, security devices, and everyday use.

Key takeaway:
Choose the fastest, most affordable plan that meets your household’s needs. You don't have to spend a lot to get a lot.

Step 2 – Purchasing the Right Equipment

Instead of renting equipment from a cable company (which often adds $15–$25 per month), our customer purchased their own devices, giving them control and long-term savings.

Their setup included:

Why this matters:
Owning your own equipment ensures faster performance and eliminates monthly rental fees. It also allows you to design your home network that best fits how and where everything is installed and configured. 

Step 3 – Installing the Network

Once the provider activated the new service, the installation started.

Basic setup steps:

  • Connect the provider’s coax cable to the new modem.
    (For fiber, satellite, or cellular internet, the connection type may differ — but the general idea is the same.)
  • Plug an ethernet cable from the modem into the router’s WAN port.
  • Connect home Ethernet runs to the router and/or PoE switch. Make sure you tone your home runs using either method A or B. 99.9 % of networks use scheme B. We also trimmed and punched down each home run into a cat6 ethernet patch panel.
  • Test each device to confirm internet access and proper communication.

Outcome:
Our entire network came online smoothly and immediately performed better than the previous setup. Some of the equipment needed to be restarted to flush their current dns and retrieve new IP and dns information.

Step 4 – Setting Up a Reliable WiFi System

Instead of relying on the router’s built-in WiFi (which can be weaker), our customer upgraded to a dedicated access point.

What we did:

  • Turned off the router’s WiFi so it only handled network management. This step also eliminates interference, confusion and possible connection issues down the road.
  • Installed a Ubiquiti Unifi 6 access point, centrally located on the main floor.
  • Connected it through the PoE switch using a new Ethernet run.
  • Unit was configured through manufacturers app downloaded from the app store. Configuration was straight forward and presented no issues. I think it took approximately 10 minutes start to finish.

Why this works better:

A centrally located access point:

  • Provides stronger, more even coverage
  • Supports multiple devices (Ring cameras, smartphones, laptops, security systems)
  • Avoids the dead zones caused by routers placed in basements or corners

Step 5 – Setting Up the TVs for Streaming

Next, the customer replaced cable boxes with streaming devices.

Steps:

  • Connect Roku, Apple TV, or NVIDIA Shield via Ethernet or WiFi.
  • Plug HDMI cable into the TV from the Streaming device.
  • Select the correct HDMI input on the TV.
  • Update firmware and add favorite apps (Netflix, YouTube TV, Peacock, etc.).

Result:
The TVs were ready for live TV, on-demand content, and streaming apps within minutes.

Step 6 – Final Cleanup and Phone Number Transfer

Once all equipment was working:

Final tasks:

  • We Cleaned up all cables using zip ties and performed cable management.
  • Organized the wiring around the modem, router, and switch
  • Ported our same phone number from Xfinity to the new provider
    (A simple call — providers do this all the time.)

Project Summary

The homeowner upgraded their internet and completely removed cable TV while gaining:

  • Better internet performance
  • Lower monthly cost
  • More control over their home network
  • Stronger WiFi coverage throughout the house
  • Flexible streaming options without channel-blackout worries

Their ranch-style home made it easy to run Ethernet lines from each room to the basement, where everything terminated into a neat punch-down panel and PoE switch.

They also installed:

  • A main antenna directly connected to the TV for live local channels
  • Plans to add an HDHomeRun tuner next, which will bring more free channels and the ability to watch and record live TV throughout the house

By moving the WiFi access point to the main floor, coverage improved dramatically—especially for their security devices.

Final Thoughts

Switching from cable to streaming requires a little time and some up-front equipment costs, but once it’s done, you get:

  • Full control over what you watch
  • Lower monthly bills
  • No surprise channel removals due to licensing disputes
  • Faster, more reliable internet
  • A future-proof setup you OWN—not rent

This customer now enjoys a clean, modern streaming system tailored to their home, with better performance and more flexibility than any cable TV package.