Cutting the cord

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Yeah it seems cable is the better option. I'm wanting to try them but I'm worried my parents won't know how to fix any issues with their wifi. Shaw at least has Tech's I don't believe teksavvy has any.

The best way to have stable Wifi is to buy your own router and not use the ISP ones. And if you change ISP, you just need to plug the new modem's WAN out to your router without having to reset anything.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Yellefan

Anyways it's all good now and I would definitely recommend them at this point, it's so much cheaper than Shaw for internet only (as long as you are only doing 15 or 30-- I think 60 is pretty close to what Shaw charges right now)

Yellefan, when you cut your Shaw internet, you just bring your modem back to the Shaw counter. The Shaw tech people won't need to come to your house for another appointment, is that right?

[Yellefan]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Yellefan, when you cut your Shaw internet, you just bring your modem back to the Shaw counter. The Shaw tech people won't need to come to your house for another appointment, is that right?

Correct. They will immediately put a $90 charge for your modem on your bill and then credit that back when you return the modem to them. In fact I don't even think Teksavvy needs to schedule you an appointment for a tech to come out to install, just plug your modem (and router) in on the day of your hookup and you should be good to go.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Yellefan

Correct. They will immediately put a $90 charge for your modem on your bill and then credit that back when you return the modem to them. In fact I don't even think Teksavvy needs to schedule you an appointment for a tech to come out to install, just plug your modem (and router) in on the day of your hookup and you should be good to go.

Thanks. Do you still need to pay TS for installation if they don't come to your house?

NM. I called at TS will charge me (79-20) for install and $99+$10 shipping for the modem. The initial outlay is $170 which I will re-coupe in 4 months. Potentially, I can resell the modem on kijiji if I somehow am not happy with TS. Pulling the trigger today.

[fundmark19]

How do you like TS so far? I am cutting the cord and looking for the best internet option

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

How do you like TS so far? I am cutting the cord and looking for the best internet option

I like TS very much so far. The speed is what they promise - 30Mbs down most of the time. And it is defacto unlimited bandwidth at this point. Price wise the 30Mbs is $45 which is a lot cheaper than Shaw's offering. But going to 60Mbs is almost the same as Shaw ($90 a month) but you still get unlimited bandwidth with TS.

The only problem is, twice the modem disconnected itself in the middle of the night in the last two weeks. Unplugging the power cord fixed the problem easily but it's kind of a hassle.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by darklord700

I like TS very much so far. The speed is what they promise - 30Mbs down most of the time. And it is defacto unlimited bandwidth at this point. Price wise the 30Mbs is $45 which is a lot cheaper than Shaw's offering. But going to 60Mbs is almost the same as Shaw ($90 a month) but you still get unlimited bandwidth with TS.

The only problem is, twice the modem disconnected itself in the middle of the night in the last two weeks. Unplugging the power cord fixed the problem easily but it's kind of a hassle.

Sounds good! I just ordered everything and have install next week! I do enjoy how quick the process is!

[Dime_On_Flames]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this thread.

I officially switched from Shaw to TS today and i've been averaging 34mb/s testing through wifi. I'm currently on the 30Mb/s plan. Running speed tests when I was on Shaw 25 i was regularly getting 15mb/s and paying $15 more to boot!

The only reasons I can think of not to switch from Shaw to TS would be the upfront costs or unavailability of service. If you hunt around kijiji, you might be able to find a modem for a little less. It's been fantastic so far!

The switch-over process was also painless. The only thing was, I had to coordinate my last date with Shaw and the transfer date with TS. Plugged new modem in on switch over day and I was up and running.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Dime_On_Flames

I officially switched from Shaw to TS today and i've been averaging 34mb/s testing through wifi. I'm currently on the 30Mb/s plan. Running speed tests when I was on Shaw 25 i was regularly getting 15mb/s and paying $15 more to boot!

Good for you. Let me know if you experience the intermittent disconnection of the modem. An unplug of the power cord will solve it but it's kind of a hassle. I will ask Teksavvy to replace my modem for me to see if it helps.

[shane_c]

I can't believe my thread is still going. When I first ditched cable a few years ago I was definitely saving money every month but over the years it seems like the cost of my phone/internet bundle has continued to rise to the point that I'm essentially paying the same as when I had the basic cable added into the bundle. We're paying around $135/month for phone/Internet. It pisses me off every time I see the bill.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I can't believe my thread is still going. When I first ditched cable a few years ago I was definitely saving money every month but over the years it seems like the cost of my phone/internet bundle has continued to rise to the point that I'm essentially paying the same as when I had the basic cable added into the bundle. We're paying around $135/month for phone/Internet. It pisses me off every time I see the bill.

Time to explore other providers.
Packages are available for half that - with other providers or as introductory deals. Lots of info here or elsewhere.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Time to explore other providers.
Packages are available for half that - with other providers or as introductory deals. Lots of info here or elsewhere.

I'm in NS. Our options are Eastlink (current provider) or Bell. Our 15% tax doesn't help much either.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I'm in NS. Our options are Eastlink (current provider) or Bell. Our 15% tax doesn't help much either.

I feel your pain then.

[fundmark19]

Now that I am cable free my house doesn't have ethernet run to all the rooms since it is an older house. Has anyone used cat5 over coax adapters? Are they worth the money? So far my TS has been way better than my shaw when it comes to streaming to multiple tvs at same time.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Now that I am cable free my house doesn't have ethernet run to all the rooms since it is an older house. Has anyone used cat5 over coax adapters? Are they worth the money? So far my TS has been way better than my shaw when it comes to streaming to multiple tvs at same time.

Have you thought of using powerline adapters? They are cheaper than cat 5 over coax. Also, if you can do wifi, buy one of the better wifi router like the Netgear R7000 or the Asus 66, their 5hz wifi is very stable.

[Wormius]

Yeah, I originally looked at some of the Moca products before I started my wiring project and it started looking prohibitively expensive to do every room, especially when some rooms need multiple drops.

Though if you look for some older equipment on eBay maybe you could rig up a thinnet with the coax.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Have you thought of using powerline adapters? They are cheaper than cat 5 over coax. Also, if you can do wifi, buy one of the better wifi router like the Netgear R7000 or the Asus 66, their 5hz wifi is very stable.

I will take a look at that as well! I have one Coax that goes to where I want my computer so I am hoping it isn't stapled down and I can pull a new ethernet line with it. I can then piggy back off that outlet for downstairs spare room.

I will have access to 2 other tv locations so I will have 4 places hardwired. My rear detatached garage is hardwired with ethernet just need to find out where it is fed into the house and how to connect to it as well (hopefully)

I will only have a bedroom and attached garage left that will be wifi and random phones/tablet usage inside the house.

[ken0042]

Depending on how your house is laid out, you can run cable to other rooms. If it is a two story house, look for something that leads right into the attic. Run up to the attic and then down the walls. You will be able to see the top 2x4 plate of a given wall from above.

For main floor or bungalow, you can run from below if the basement isn't developed.

You can also run through cold air returns. Just for safety make sure you buy the fire rated cable.

[fundmark19]

I am in a fully developed 4 level split. I have access to the crawl space (that is why 2 tv's can be done) that might get me all the way to the attic but I haven't ventured up there to see as of yet.

[ken0042]

In my old house the cavity for the chimney was huge, and had a closet on at least one side on each level. I cut access panels in the closet and ran everything up that way.