Shaw phone service

[Buzzard]

Now that it's been out for a couple months, I'm wondering what opinions are of it. Anyone have it? If so, how are you liking it? Looks like I could be saving quite a few $$ if I get it, as we usea lot of long distance.

[Dirty Mr. Clean]

Yeah I have been using it since Jan. and the service has been great. It costs $55 a month and that flat rate has all the phone features and free long distance for Canada and the US. I think it's $65 if you don't have cable tv and internet. The only bad thing that I know of it that calling outside of Canada and the US requires a phone card (which is cheaper anyway). It comes with 911 as well so you don't have worry about that.

You can check out the site it will give you more info then I know:

Shaw's Digital Phone Page

[Buzzard]

Originally posted by Dirty Mr. Clean@May 25 2005, 07:43 AM
Yeah I have been using it since Jan. and the service has been great. It costs $55 a month and that flat rate has all the phone features and free long distance for Canada and the US. I think it's $65 if you don't have cable tv and internet. The only bad thing that I know of it that calling outside of Canada and the US requires a phone card (which is cheaper anyway). It comes with 911 as well so you don't have worry about that.

You can check out the site it will give you more info then I know:

Shaw's Digital Phone Page

Yeah, already went through the site, was wondering how people are liking it. Glad to know you are liking it Mr. Clean. One thing I cant really find out from the site is how the actual service comes in. Do they hook you through the incoming cable line, or through existing phone line, or what?

[ratech]

I have it and it has been seamless. Very good for long distance and a ton of features. The way I have it set up is they put a DOCSIS modem in my basement where the the cables come in and then cabled it into a couple of rooms. It look just like a normal phone jack. I would highly recommend the service.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Clean or ratech - have you had any interruptions in service?

On a side note - does anyone know when the Telus digital cable will be launching?

[RedHot25]

I may be completely out in left field here, but my buddy was telling me last night that there is a free service (not shaw) that does this as well? He told me the name, but I can't remember for the life of me. Started with a S I think?

Anywho, I have a question about these services (I am quite interested, considering that my g/f and I will be moving down to the other end of the country here soon). Now I know that it depends on the other person having a computer/internet, but what makes this stuff different/new/better? Can't I already do this "for free" - i.e. I can talk to somebody in England, for example, for free already (i.e. msn for example; I can also see someone via webcam)?

Thanks for the info!

[photon]

The difference would be in the free solutions, or even just connecting to a friend via computer and a webcam is usually a ) you have to have an internet connection where with something like Shaw VoIP you don't b ) you don't have to have a computer and c ) you don't have to worry about the person on the other end having the correct software or hardware, or even VoIP phone; they could just have a regular phone connection and it will still work. I guess d ) they also have to have 911 service where you don't have 911 service with MSN

[RedHot25]

Alright, apparently its called Skype - www.skype.com

I haven't been there, or checked it out, just found out about it. Anyone know anything about it?

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by photon@May 25 2005, 05:32 PM
The difference would be in the free solutions, or even just connecting to a friend via computer and a webcam is usually a ) you have to have an internet connection where with something like Shaw VoIP you don't b ) you don't have to have a computer and c ) you don't have to worry about the person on the other end having the correct software or hardware, or even VoIP phone; they could just have a regular phone connection and it will still work. I guess d ) they also have to have 911 service where you don't have 911 service with MSN

Thanks Photon!

That makes sense, I can see the pros and cons with either way. (and I know nothing about computers, other than how to type on them, soooo.. thanks )

[photon]

Ah yeah Skype.. skype's very cool!

The difference between Skype and Shaw (for example) would be that Skype is a computer application and Shaw's more of a hardware solution that provides phone service that acts just like your current phone system. Skype requires an Internet connection.

Skype also charges for outgoing calls to regular phone #'s (because you're leaving the Internet) though it seems pretty reasonable.

It depends on what you want to do.. if you want to talk to people around the world via computer and Internet for free then Skype is ideal. If you want a total replacement for your phone, Skype can work but something like Shaw's solution is more like a regular phone system replacement.

I also don't think Skype provides 911 service.

As my son is now 11 months old, safety is big on my mind and having 911 service and phone service when the power goes out are two things I'd like to have that something like Skype doesn't offer.

I wonder if I put Shaw's eq on a UPS if the system would still work if the power in my house was out?

[MolsonInBothHands]

Originally posted by RedHot25@May 25 2005, 10:32 AM
Alright, apparently its called Skype - www.skype.com

I haven't been there, or checked it out, just found out about it. Anyone know anything about it?

I have used Skype a little. It is just another communications package like MSN: text chat, voice, web-cam, file transfer, etc. It seems to have less firewall issues than MSN though. You can use it to call a land phone, but that is a pay service I believe. The sound quality has been pretty good when I used it. My brother in law calls me on it when he is on the rigs because he can't get out on MSN (firewall), and there is no cell phone coverage where he is. The sound is actually clearer than a regular phone call.

[photon]

Sound quality is a good point too; anytime I've spoken with someone on a VoIP phone they sound like they are on a cell phone, probably because the voice data is compressed in a similar way.

[Mr. Ski]

Originally posted by photon@May 25 2005, 05:40 PM
I wonder if I put Shaw's eq on a UPS if the system would still work if the power in my house was out?

I had the Shaw service installed a few weeks back and they provided a UPS as part of the package. Not sure of the time rating on it, but should do for short periods anyhow.

Overall, great service. Though I was expecting to, I can't tell the difference in the sound. Quite pleased.

[Red]

Skype is great if you don't mind being stationary at the PC. I used it, but I really hate not being able to walk around the house like I do with regular phone.

I can't find any wireless head sets for the PC unless you spend $400US

________
Mexico City Hotel

[ratech]

Originally posted by Bend it like Bourgeois@May 25 2005, 11:16 AM
Clean or ratech - have you had any interruptions in service?

On a side note - does anyone know when the Telus digital cable will be launching?

No interuption in service. The likelyhood of losing the phone is about the same a telus which is prett much nil.

[photon]

Yeah the Shaw digital network for the phones is seperate from their Internet service network, and they probably have more robust equipment and/or better redundancy for it (hopefully anyway).

Good info on the UPS!

Now if they offered distinctive ring for a second fax line (or even a second line for cheap) I'd be totally interested!

EDIT: They don't have a distinctive ring for a second # and a second line would be $55 extra (no discount). They have an option of a second line for $25 but that line doesn't have any long distance on it. Close but no banana.

[MolsonInBothHands]

So does shaw connect their digital phone service to existing phone jacks in the house, or is it a unique type of jack? Do your phones need an adapter of some kind to connect to this line?

I think its time to make the jump.... Telus has raped me long enough.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

So does shaw connect their digital phone service to existing phone jacks in the house, or is it a unique type of jack?

IIRC, Shaw connects their hardware to the place that your Telus service comes into the house, and then uses your existing wiring and jacks that run throughout your house.