Clean slate - what would you choose? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Table 5 · 10-11-2011, 09:26 AM

So I'm going to be moving to Calgary for at least a year or so, and will thus need to sign up for a few tech related things. I have a clean slate and am looking for some suggestions in the following categories. If you had to start over again, which would you pick....

Cell phone: Telus vs Rogers vs ?
Who has the best coverage/reliability? I use a significant amount of data, and will most likely be making a lot of phone calls to the US since most of my clients are there. I'm an iPhone user, and hopefully the 4s is available by the time I get there. Possibility is there to share minutes/data with my wife. I noticed that plans there are 3 years (wtf???) and I might not be there for that long.

Cable vs Satellite? Bell vs Shaw vs ?
I'm a heavy user of DVR...does one offer a better deal or advantage over the other?

Internet? Better to bundle with cable, or go it alone with someone else?

Netflix? Is it any good yet? The last time I checked it, the selection was terrible.

REDVAN · 10-11-2011, 10:19 AM

Congrats on moving to CGY!

I'd say Telus has better coverage... although I am a Rogers customer for now I'll be switching in the next few weeks for work.

I have TelusTV/phone/internet, and I have no problems with their offerings- although if you are a mega user or have specific needs, shaw might work out better. Main tip: get all your services from one company so you can save a few bucks bundling.

Netflix canada sucks, but I have it. Watch it enough to justify the $8/month, but not much more.

Table 5 · 10-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Hmmm, I wonder if there is a way to join Telus while still making a stand against their ######ed animal commercials....

malcolmk14 · 10-11-2011, 11:56 AM

Cell phone - I'm with Bell and have been for 6 1/2 years. I like them. They have the best phones and the best network, IMO. If you're a really heavy data user, they don't have the 6GB data plan, I believe Rogers and Fido do at the moment.

TV/Internet - Shaw has the best product IMO, but you can go to the customer service thread to read about how incompetent they are. You can't really go wrong choosing Shaw or Telus I guess, personal preference for me is to suggest not giving Shaw any money at all. If you're going with Telus for the mobile phone, why not go with them for TV/Internet as well?

GoinAllTheWay · 10-11-2011, 12:08 PM

Cell - Telus for sure. Great coverage especially outside the city

TV/Internet - Shaw all the way, I personally wouldn't consider Telus for this. The new Gateway is a MUST for you if you are a heavy DVR'r. New lower price too! No experience with Satellite, can't comment.

Netflix for sure man, content is getting better and better but if you are used to the American content, I can see you having a tough time adjusting. I totally think it's worth it though.

And while we are at it, Enmax for all your power needs! RBC is a great bank. Very big but very fair. And buy Winter Tires!!! Blizzak has worked very well for me.

rubecube · 10-11-2011, 12:11 PM

Having worked for and been a subscriber with all of the major telcos in Canada, I can tell you without a doubt that I would never choose to do business with Shaw. Crappy products, terrible customer service, and piss-poor management.

I'd probably go with TELUS or Bell for cell phone service. Rogers is okay but the other two don't seem to have as many coverage issues as Rogers does.

Rathji · 10-11-2011, 01:41 PM

Cell providers really is a toss up. I have heard (and experienced) enough bad things about all of them that it really depends on where you live and if you can get a discount by bundling (I don't think you get much of a discount though).

For TV, Telus Optik is a nice product and a bit more finished than the Gateway system. If you don't really need to have multiple TVs with a single PVR, then Shaw is probably your best choice since there is no contract and hardware is easy to come by. Customer service for Shaw is rough now, but seems to be getting better if you embrace the online support options. I think the gateway system has more potential than the Telus system, but if you are only here a year, if you want the multi-TV option, go with Telus. (but don't sign a contract or get a 'Free' xbox)

For internet, it depends where you live. Telus can only support their highest speed internet (25Mbs I think?) at most locations, and some others have too many subscribers for ports on the nodes. Shaw's internet can be much faster (having plans up to 100Mbs) if that is something you need, assuming you dont live in an old building with garbage wiring, you can get much faster speeds than with Telus.

Regulator75 · 10-11-2011, 07:59 PM

Shaw: TV, web.
Rogers: Cell.

F%&k Telus and Satellite dishes.

FlameOn · 10-11-2011, 09:07 PM

Shaw for TV and internet for speed and quality but don't expect much from their customer service.

Bell is great for signal quality and almost never dropping calls ( was on Rogers before ). Customer service is kinda spotty again though, shady billing issues.

silentsim · 10-11-2011, 09:16 PM

Telus Optik TV. If not wanting an a specific phone(such as iPhone) Wind MOBILE since they are significantly cheaper.

I have a Rogers line and a Telus Line. My rogers gets 1 bar in my house, telus always gets 5. Always notice that the Telus line has better signal...and its not the phone (same phone).