The FCC said it envisions transforming the Universal Service program...

The FCC said it envisions transforming the Universal Service program over the next decade to pay for high-speed Internet access. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas

Long Islanders have more options than ever in Internet, telephone and TV services.

The latest Consumer Reports has rated dozens of companies providing those three services, and it says bundling by some companies, offering all three at a bargain rate, has made it "a buyer's market."

And the market has been more competitive since Verizon and AT&T entered and posed substantial challenges to cable companies like Time Warner in New York City and Bethpage-based Cablevision Systems Corp.

 Consumer Reports surveyed 56,080 respondents about their home Internet account, 57,846 about the TV service they use, and 37,484 about their telephone service. The survey, in which people only rated the services they use, was of CR subscribers, which, the magazine pointed out, "might not represent the general population."

In terms of Internet service, Verizon FIOS was rated No. 2 and Cablevision No. 9, out of 27 companies. Denver-based Wow, which operates in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, was No. 1, and HughesNet, a satellite company, was last at No. 27. AT&T was ranked 11th in Internet services and Time Warner was 17th.

In terms of telephone service, Verizon placed fourth and Cablevision ninth, out of 23 companies. Wow was again No. 1, and Mediacom was last at 23rd. AT&T was ranked sixth in phone service, with Time Warner ranking 12th.

As far as television service, Verizon was second, and Cablevision was 10th. Wow took first place again, with AT&T ranked third and Time Warner 17th.

A 2009 J.D. Power and Associates residential television service satisfaction study rated Verizon FIOS No. 1 and Cablevision No. 4, out of 10 companies. Powers' residential phone satisfaction study showed Verizon second and Cablevision fourth, out of nine companies. In terms of Internet, Verizon was first and Cablevision fourth, out of 10 companies. Cablevision owns Newsday.

Cablevision spokesman Jim Maiella said, "Cablevision's phone, cable and Internet services are enormously popular with customers because of the value, advanced features and highly responsive customer services we're uniquely able to provide in this market with no hidden fees, contracts or steep cancellation penalties."

Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said, "We're very proud of the services we offer, and we are glad that they are recognized by America's leading consumer magazine."

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