A threat to the cable company to give a lower rate or you will drop them works some of the time but not always. Depends on whether they have met their sales quota for that particular time. I have been through all the scenarios with multiple providers. They all mostly want customers to "bundle". The costs for individual services vs bundled is tempting but, in the end, the cable company will win.
Now I use Dish Network (many Sirius stations) and a fiber optic provider for Internet. One thing I still have is a landline phone. With all the smartphones out there fewer people are keeping a landline. But, if you want to have a landline I found an excellent option.
After researching all of the home phone options I settled on the OOMA system ( broadband Internet is essential since it is a VOIP system). The base unit cost under $100. Any phone can be used with it. They offer a WIFI adapter to connect to your network if you don't want to hard wire from the modem/router. Not very expensive. I have their standard service...unlimited US calls, voice mails and all the other typical phone services. There is a one time $40 charge if you want to port your existing number of choose a new number at no charge. Bottom line........
I was paying the local phone company $50/mo. for a landline. Now I only pay less than $5/mo. for the OOMA setup. Even though there is an initial cost for the basic equipment, at $5/mo. it doesn't take long to recoup the expense. Been using it for a couple of years.
