BELD Broadband adds NBC Universal properties, NFL Network HD

The mom 'n pop carrier strikes again, and this time it's Braintree, Massachusetts' BELD Broadband showing up the big guys. This localized provider has added in a number of NBC Universal properties in high-def just in time for (some of) the Olympics, including Bravo HD (535), CNBC HD+ (533), USA HD (549), Sci-Fi HD (516) and -- for the duration of the Beijing Games -- Olympic Basketball Channel (516) and NBC Olympic Soccer Channel (535). Additionally, NFL Network HD will be added in "soon," presumably before the nearby Patriots attempt to redeem themselves at home on September 7th against the Chiefs. Not bad for someone you've never heard of.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2008 9:50AM]

Good to see BELD finally move towards the 21st century. I was a former customer but jumped ship to FIOS in February as soon it was available in Braintree, One of my reasons for the switch was BELD's tortoise like pace in adding HD channels that were worth anything. As of my switch, they still did not have ESPN2 HD, something everyone had over a year early and they had not added any HD channels in over a year. Just after I left, they added another worthless one, WGN HD! Whoopie.

BELD definitely lost customers due to FIOS coming to town...looks like 8 months after that fact, they are finally starting to fight back. However, their picture quality, especially on the non-HD channels cannot compare with FIOS. Their support is great though....being in the town, you can sometimes get service the same day as when you call.