Questions re Switch from Telus to Shaw

[Salisbury]

I am thinking of making the switch because of better long distance plans with Shaw:
-is it a straight switch or does equipment need to be installed. I use shaw High Speed Cable internet.
-is there any loss or change in audio quality; does it sound digital, like, internet streaming audio.
-are there problems with loss of features like dropped calls and features that dont work!
-can I keep my old phone number?
-is it worth it?

[gordon1111]

yes there is equipment that needs to be installed. it si the digital phone terminal that shaw connects to your house.
Their is change in audio. for me it was always choppy and echoed as well.
yes there voicemail is always going down and when I had it I had a lot of downtime and yes dropped calls.
Is it worth it No. If I were you I would just keep using Telus as they have been around a long time. im pretty sure you can get good plans from telus as well if you phone them. i am posting from experince this doesnt mean that its going to happen to you. thanks.

[Shaw Guru]

Gordon is correct on some points.

Shaw would need to install a DPT which connects all the phone jacks in the home back to this terminal to allow them to access the Shaw managed network.

Line quality should be the same if not better than what you have now. Echo and choppy audio may happen but those are things that can be corrected as that indicates a problem with the connection.

Calling features should all work properly and if they don't you can call in 24/7 and get a free service call (something the other guys won't always do).

Yes you can keep your old phone number. It takes about 2 weeks to port your number from your current provider to Shaw. Shaw takes care of cancelling service with your old provider for you so you don't need to call them until after you are install. This "1 last call" can ensure you have been disconnected and also allows you to settle up with your balance.

Shaw has great rates, the ability to bundle with your other services and save even more, great support, free service calls, and 1 bill for everything. It's like they make it easy or something.

[Salisbury]

Thanks for the replies. So I think the outstanding major issue then would be of sound (voice) quality. With the many overseas calls I will be making this is important as the quality on some of those calls can be bad at the best of times. One for, and and one against with respect to sound quality on the above two posts, any one else with shaw digital cable care to comment?

[Shaw Guru]

A good suggestion would be go into the local Shaw office and make a test call overseas on Shaw. You can do this for free at most locations that have launched Shaw Digital Phone. Check the quality for yourself and then you know for sure.

[shawguy]

See link in my signature.

I have no complaints with Shaw Phone, and calls to England work just fine!

[dabell]

I have had no issues with call quality, very happy customer.

[JohnnyCanuck]

IMO, Digital Phone is the best product Shaw offers. Excellent value, a true flat rate (no hidden fees, plan charges, etc), the $.03/minute LD calling card is a great option (I use it for cell phone long distance calls), and the voice quality is very good.

[googler]

sound quality is great, great rates, and great service. Definitaly worth dumping telus for.

[Railwayman]

Had mine install last Saturday, I concur, great sound, no issues, I had been in touch with Telus to see what they could do to retain my business to no avail, got the same old song and dance from them, glad I finally decided to switch, very happy so far.

[henryk]

I am switching from Telus (Phone/Internet) and Shaw Direct (Satellite) to Shaw Cable Next week. I took care of my account at Shaw Direct, and I understand that Shaw will deal with Telus for my Phone, do they also cancel my Internet from Telus? Or is that something I had to do. Initial indications were they would take care of it, but I already found a few discrepancies in the bill of goods I was sold.

[Dr.Dave]

henryk, you are responsible for cancelling your internet with Telus. The only reason that Shaw is allowed to cancel your phone service is that there are special regulations that allow transferring an existing phone number from one provider to another. If you weren't keeping the same phone number Shaw would have no authority to cancel your Telus phone service.