Shaw v Telus

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I'm not the sharpest guy when it comes to tech. So maybe, fast download speeds shouldn't be a concern. However, my family of four has numerous devices on the go all at once. Four tablets, three phones, three computers, plus an Xbox. We were having some issues with connectivity on and off. So I bought the best Wifi router I could find at Best Buy. I don't download movies very often (when I do, it is usually rentals off of iTunes for travel), but it takes hours to download them onto my iPad. So I figured, slower Internet would be a bad thing if I added Optic TV to the mix as well.

Optik TV doesn't have any impact on your download speeds (or, it shouldn't).

I've got probably 10 internet connected devices running at any time at my place, stream 90% of my media in 1080p 5.1, and 25mbps is still plenty.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Optik TV doesn't have any impact on your download speeds (or, it shouldn't).

I've got probably 10 internet connected devices running at any time at my place, stream 90% of my media in 1080p 5.1, and 25mbps is still plenty.

My experience is different. The reason I haven't tried telus yet is because they don't offer fast enough internet. I get 50 MB/s now and it still isn't enough sometimes. Granted I'm a heavy internet user, but Telus doesn't offer anything faster.

I have 7 internet connected devices (phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, PS3) stream everything, download everything else, and I notice slow download speeds and hiccups with online gaming. When I move in September I'll be upgrading to 100MB/s and I can't wait. Only an extra $10/mo

[Esoteric]

Originally Posted by btimbit

My experience is different. The reason I haven't tried telus yet is because they don't offer fast enough internet. I get 50 MB/s now and it still isn't enough sometimes. Granted I'm a heavy internet user, but Telus doesn't offer anything faster.

I have 7 internet connected devices (phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, PS3) stream everything, download everything else, and I notice slow download speeds and hiccups with online gaming. When I move in September I'll be upgrading to 100MB/s and I can't wait. Only an extra $10/mo

The 100MB/s is awesome. I frequently exceed their posted speed as well - makes it quicker to play all those purchases in the steam sales

[burn_baby_burn]

I am currently getting my Internet through Shaw. They don't offer the package I get anymore, but I think it is basically Shaw 25.

[Frequitude]

Made the switch to Telus a couple months ago based on price. Couldn't be happier.

The cable box is a little slow but I like how the channels are laid out (grouped by type...major networks, timeshift, sports, movies, entertainment, etc.).

Don't really care that the internet isn't as blazing fast. It's still far more than I need. The significantly lower price is more than worth it for me.

[WilsonFourTwo]

So I just had Shaw Cable installed for the first time in 4 or 5 years (Have company coming, want Cable for the guests) and have to say that I'm very, very impressed with how the hardware they use now.

They Gateway system is a major improvement over the old boxes I remember, and the remote is pretty darn terrific. The menus run smoother and you can continue watching TV while browsing shows.

That all said, when I ordered I said "Just give me everything", and yet last night I was still hard pressed to find anything worthwhile to watch.

I won't be keeping cable active once the guests are gone (cable just isn't for me) but I'm still really impressed with how far the equipment has come in the past few years.

[burn_baby_burn]

I'm thinking I may go with Optik. Shaw seems to be behind on the amount of HD channels offered. I'll bundle everything with Telus, but forgo signing a three year contract for the free TV.

[HotHotHeat]

I've been torn between Shaw and Telus for Internet. I like the Shaw equipment better (more customizable and more flexibility when using your own router) but I just CANT get over the upload speeds. The 50 package offers an upload speed of 3mbps with Shaw, where telus is 10mbps with the 50. Do people not find this to be an issue for gaming or cloud media?

For TV I'm going with Bell. Their prices have come down a lot and I think they have the best equipment and HD selection. Less concerned with this as the pick and pay model seems to be close to law, my guess is within 6 months.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

I've been torn between Shaw and Telus for Internet. I like the Shaw equipment better (more customizable and more flexibility when using your own router) but I just CANT get over the upload speeds. The 50 package offers an upload speed of 3mbps with Shaw, where telus is 10mbps with the 50. Do people not find this to be an issue for gaming or cloud media?

I have High Speed 25 with Shaw and uploads have never felt or been slow for me. We stream games on twitch and never had hiccups.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

If you don't get Shaw's newest Modem/Router combo

Are you referring to the Arris sbg6782?



How do you find it's performance? As we've recently moved into a much larger house and the Cisco DPC3825 is not able to handle the extra square feet effectively.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Are you referring to the Arris sbg6782?



How do you find it's performance? As we've recently moved into a much larger house and the Cisco DPC3825 is not able to handle the extra square feet effectively.

I don't have one myself (bridged the Cisco one) but my brother has the one you mentioned and tells me that he's had no issues with it so far.

[Misterpants]

I'm hoping the new Modem/Router fixes me up as well. That Cisco POS won't even give me 2 bars of wifi 25 feet away with limited walls.

[PsYcNeT]

Another anecdote for the anecdote god:

At my work, we've recently introduced all-in-one PCs for some staff to take home and perform their duties (high-bandwidth streamed duties). Those who have Telus (regardless of level) have massive latency and packet loss issues, to the point that keeping a stable connection for longer than 3-4 minutes seems futile, and we have had to suspend the program for them.

On the other hand, Shaw users only seem to have issues (at about 1/3rd the rate of the Telus issues) when they are on the Hi-Speed 25 package. BB 50/BB 100 users have had 0 latency or bandwidth issues.

It seems 10Mb of upload means jack #### if your network is crap.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Do people not find this to be an issue for gaming or cloud media?

No not at all. I've been on BB50 for the past 3 years but before that I'd been on a variety of cable internet packages with Shaw over the past decade and a half with no real latency or packet loss issues.

I'd be shocked if you had any gaming/cloud issues on BB50.

[keratosis]

We commonly have 2 separate connections to steam games while my wife is also on her laptop.
Zero issues with BB50.
I did get my Cisco bridged and use a R6200 for my router. The Cisco is a fine modem its just the wireless part that is crap.
Just use the the internet and phone, TV is dead to me.
Phone may soon be cancelled as well.

[Tyler]

Just cancelled Shaw after 4+ years. Looking forward to a decent Guide a new Smart TV.

The only thing they could say on the phone while they were trying to talk me out of it was "your internet will be slow if you watch TV at the same time!"

Lame.

[wooohooo]

I find TV is pretty similar with both Shaw and Telus. I don't even watch much TV until it's hockey season. I THINK Shaw has slightly better quality.. but it very well could be the TV.

Internet... holy crap I had the absolute worst time with Telus. Super slow speeds and couldn't stream crap. I'm much happier with Shaw, although there are the very odd times it's slow but nothing horrible. I got that gigantic Arris modem/router thing. I get great range with that thing, even get it at my neighbors and in my garage. I believe it's a dual band router as it broadcasts two signals.

And there's the other hand where my brother in law is having no problems with Telus. I'm guessing it's more of an area/wiring thing for both Telus and Shaw. But with my understanding is that Cable can handle more signal so even in older areas Shaw is better than Telus. Doubt there would be a difference in the newer areas with Fiber being run for both Telus and Shaw.

[Badgers Nose]

I was on Optik a few years ago and Shaw tempted me with a $100 deal that included 50 Mb internet, phone with one feature, gateway PVR with 2 portals and every HD channel.

With Shaw inflation and HBO I pay about $140 now. IMO that is still hot. Service is great and the price is nice.

I am moving, can I take this plan with me? Anyone have any experience moving grandfathered plans?

[ComixZone]

I'm having a nice little battle with Shaw. The node that supplies Mount Pleasant (NW) is awful. Every night from 6PM-3AM give or take, my speeds plummet to sub-1mbps. They've admitted it's the nodes fault, and still don't have an ETA of any sort regarding a fix. 9+ months, and they discounted my bill one time.



They've even gone so far as to say that ONCE the issue is fixed, they'll then reimburse my account with a partial refund because "then they'll know just how long customers have been impacted".

I should've bailed on them long ago, but quite frankly - Telus isn't exactly a company I enjoy dealing with. Incredibly frustrating.

[theinfinitejar]

Shaw customer here, my services have been pretty much tickety boo 99% percent of the time.

As far as TV goes there's no contest, Telus shouldn't be allowed to advertise having HD channels with their picture quality. It's a pathetic, muddy excuse for high-definition.