I finally gave up and switched to Telus.   Telus was offering a free PVR, a free COMPUTER, high speed Internet and basic TV for less than HALF of what I was paying SHAW for just basic digital cable and high speed Internet.   And Shaw actually wanted to INCREASE my rate in November.   I wrote to Shaw to give them a chance to see if they would match Telus's offer, only to get a non-reply about improving infrastructure so that I can order more pay-per-view-movies.  But I don't care about that!   I just want basic cable and Internet.   So I switched.  So far I am very happy.  It seems too good to be true, so I'm just waiting for the "catch".  Is there one?  So far the only "catch" is that I am locked into a three year contract, but that is not a concern to me if the service continues to be as excellent as it has been so far.   What's going on at SHAW?   It sounds like somebody is going to lose market share very quickly if they don't improve their packages!  :)

just last month a friend of mine was enticed by the offer of the free PVR and Laptop.  she switched from Shaw to Telus, and everything seemed fine when the Telus tech left her home.  later that evening, while watching TV, the phone rang.  when she answered it, the TV picture disappeared.  turns out the tech set her up so she could either watch tv or talk on the phone....i'm sticking with Shaw.

Telus throttles bandwidth like Bell, you have to sign a contract and it's expensive to get out of - they're core is "phone" (POTS, telco) Not TV, their wireless setup is not that dynamic, you need filters to use your phone. Shaw is the opposite, although arrogant in their own way, but their core is ISP - TV carrier with no contracts. I buy electronics from an electronics store for a reason and not a drug store for the same reason I would not buy drugs from an electronics store.  The same principle in my choice of carriers. Telus gets my phone (cell) contract not Shaw, but I bundled my VOIP landline with them.

It wouldn't surprise me when the time comes to return your equipment to Shaw,they don't even ask for the reason that you are switching. They have lost so many subcribers to Optik,the front line people  are probably tired of it.

I would suspect that within a couple of years, Bell will absorb Telus to incorporate the satellite network, and leave the Telus half of "Belltel" to handle the cellular business. IMO

Do not, yes do not, let ONE COMPANY to provide all of the service. Simple as that.

Quoted from BJ

It wouldn't surprise me when the time comes to return your equipment to Shaw,they don't even ask for the reason that you are switching. They have lost so many subcribers to Optik,the front line people  are probably tired of it.

No, they didn't ask.   They don't seem to care.  And so far, it seems that I made the right move! :K)

And I just switched to Shaw Phone - because they offered me full service for 1.95 a month for six months.  That trumped Telus.  And the service is great.

Quoted from bobinedmonton

No, they didn't ask.   They don't seem to care.  And so far, it seems that I made the right move! :K)

Maybe they know something you don't know...yet.  

I think every company has their good and bad, and no one company is really any better than the other. You just gotta find the one that suits your needs. For me, personally, I refuse to tie into any length of contract (...the idea is patently absurd...) so I'm with Shaw Direct for my dish, and Shaw has my internet. I have never had any kind of problem whatsoever in my time with them.

All companies have their introductory or "switch" offers.

My advice is look at what you'll be paying when the bonus runs out and make sure you are happy with that.  My experience is that they don't negotiate if you threaten to leave.  They run the bluff that you won't do the inconvenience of a new hardware installation for the "switch" price of a competitor.

Be careful of the deals.  Great example in my case is how I wanted to buy my Sat receiver outright for $200 instead of paying the "rental" and getting the first 6 months rental free.  Do the math and at the end of my 3 year contract, I'd still be paying an extra $150 than I would laying down the $200 in advance...that 6 month bonus included.  They really tried to talk me out of the receiver purchase, with good reason.

You are usually paying full pop 2 out of those 3 years of your contract.  I'm in that spot now and my options are to continue, try and threaten a move, or go to Rogers and have them drill holes in my house for coaxial.

Makes decisions in the radio business seem easy.

I bundled with Telus last October when I made the move over to HD tv. I got hi-speed internet, the optik TV and have POTS still. Its about $140 per month but I love the service. I have had no problems since making this switch and have talked to Telus a few times about various things which they have been very helpful with.

I am enjoying my service and love watching the football in HD!