[Presco]

Hello all,

There must be other people here in a similar situation...

I've been with Bell Entertainment for a little over year and have been extremely impressed with the service. Introductory pricing was outstanding; I had the bundle that included 6 or 7 theme packs + HBO & TMN for $75 a month. This also included the 25up/8down internet service.

Well, the honeymoon is over. A couple of days ago, all of the remaining subscribers received notification that they would need to migrate to Fibe TV and Internet as the promotional pricing will be ending at the end of January 2011. Fair enough, I knew it wouldn't last.

The question is, what is everybody else doing? I received my migration offer today and couldn't hit the accept button. I initially opted for the Choice TV package (similar to what I had previously but minus HBO and TMN) which was $62/month + $5/month for an additional box + service fees and tax. About what I expected. However, I took issue with the internet offer. Fibe 12 would be ~$59/month + tax after modem rental. 50gb cap and 1mb upload. The cost for getting a comparable service to the one I currently have is frightening since there are so many hidden fees that just weren't there with BES.

As a beta tester of their service I was really hoping I would receive an offer that would make me want to stay with them. Instead, I have to take a huuuuge downgrade in service and content and pay much more. I called in to see if I could just keep my existing service as it is and pay the non promotional rate ($150/month). Turns out that it is possible and we don't have to switch to Fibe (for now). The rep agreed that it is the better option if I want to keep a comparable service but he didn't know how long existing accounts would stay open. So that's what I'm doing until I figure out an alternative. Hopefully Wind gets in the IPTV game this year! The other option I'm considering is the Shaw Ontario Extra Value Bundle with all the extras and TekSavvy. What about my everyone else?

 

[caehlan]

Hey Presco.. I am in the exact same situation, coming from the $75 package.

To get the BES equivalent with Fibe we would need the Premium TV package and the Fibe 25 internet package. The only benefit of switching would be getting a few more TV channels that aren't available to the BES beta testers.

I think I will just stick with what I have and pay the $150 (before HST).. because a few extra channels is not worth the extra $9.90 a month.

Let me know if you can see any missing fees or discounts that I didn't take into consideration:

Internet
+$67.95 (Fibe 25, 25 down/7 up, 75gb cap)
-$5.00 (Bell Bundle Discount)
+6.95 (Modem rental)
================
$69.90

TV
+$87.00 (Premium with TMN/HBO)
+$3.00 (Digital Services Fee)
+$0.00 (HD PVR that we get to keep for free from BES beta)
================
$90.00

Total
================
================
$159.90 (before HST)

 

[secotton]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I got the call last Wednesday about migrating to Fibe TV / Fibe Internet package.

I honestly think the packages at full price they are offering are close to what they were offering before without the %50 off deal. The only real 'promo' they are offereing us is that we get to keep the PVR as an owned unit. This isn't bad since the rental is $20/month and $500 to buy. So long as the PVR keeps on ticking for a while, I'd be happy with that.

The only downside is the PVR that us on the BES Beta package only have the 160Gb hard drive in the PVR, where as the new PVR has a 320Gb hard drive - double the space for recordings which is pretty sweet. I think an upgrade to a new drive should be very doable. If I manage to do this, I'll put up a post about what I did.

I personally am probably going for the the following:
- Premium @ $87/month
+ Digital Service Fee: $3.00

- Fibe 12 Internet @ 58.90 (includes modem rental @ $6.95)
+ 7Mb upload @ $5.00 (optional)


I may go with a different internet package due to the download limits in the Fibe 12 package - may go with Fibe 16 instead.

Overall - it is more, but pricing is comparable to the alternative - at least for me which is only Rogers. I'd really like to see more competition, but right now, there isn't much - especially for those like me who are in a condo facing the wrong direction to be able to get satelite.

 

[Presco]

Thanks for the replies guys.

caehlan...looks about right. However, the rep told me that they are discontinuing the Fibe25 plan and replacing it with something called Fibe16+. The plan just isn't listed yet. It will be the same price as Fibe25.

secotton...I agree, it would be nice to upgrade the current PVR. I did inquire about this when I talked to a rep but there was no budging so far.

So the migration offer is to let us keep the PVR for free. The thing is, I already have it included in my price and that wouldn't change if I just keep the BES as it is. There is literally zero incentive to upgrading to Fibe. If we stay with BES we don't pay a modem fee, we don't pay a PVR fee, and we don't pay a digital service fee. And we maintain the top tier of service (minus a few channels) for less than it costs on Fibe. It just doesn't make sense. As I said, I'm keeping the service as it is for as long as I can. My guess is that they'll start closing the remaining accounts in 6 months or so. I just hope there's a bit more competition out there by then so I don't have to go the Fibe route (or can at least get some discount for doing so).

 

[sigurdson]

ok So I want to know if I can split the FibeTv from the Fibe internet. Under our BES Beta test it was bundled in the $87.50. Could I get the FibeTV 'Choice' and go with Yak high speed $34.95?

Anyone know the non bundle price of the 'Choice'?? I bet more than the $62 on the Fibe TV web site... even funnier is that my phone number and address say coming Spring 2011.

As I have gone through 3 VIP 1216 PVR's I am thinking of buying the PVR 1232 at the Intro rate of $249 if they will give it to me.

Any help for a BES'er in limbo?

 

[Dr.Dave]

sigurdson, this is on the Fibe TV web site:

Bell Fibe TV is delivered over Canada’s most advanced network along with Bell Fibe Internet. Both services are required, so when you sign up for Fibe TV, you’re also signing up for great Internet.

 

[Kenuck]

Received Email from BES

Hey... I have also received an email from BES regarding an upgrade. Thanks very much to those who have posted their plans.

In the email, they pitch saving up to $20/mth with a reference to 'some conditions' that refer to Bell Fibe Internet 16+. I have copied that below.

Current as of December 30, 2010. Available to residential customers in select residential dwellings in Ontario where access and technology permit. Subject to change without notice; not combinable with other offers. Taxes extra. Other conditions apply. (1) Based on comparison between regular rate for Bell Entertainment Core package starting Jan. 31 ($130) and Fibe TV Starter Plus ($48 + $3 digital service fee) with Bell Internet Fibe 16+ ($51.95 + $6.95 modem rental). (2) Additional add-ons (e.g., international channels, time-shifting) extra.

As for my plans, I am looking at like to get the 16+ (Edit: "or the 25+"; not available with Fibe TV) with the premium package if I can do without some news or sports channels. So $134 (Edit: "or $140") compared to $165 BES.

I will probably call today as I don't have TSN2 HD now and really want to get that additional HD channel. Will let you know how that works out.

After call with Bell: Fibe 25 is not available with Fibe TV. Hence the edits. The rep also said they do not off the 7Mbps Optional upload speed on lines with Fibe TV.

Hope that helps people.
Cheers,

 

[betterthancable]

Upgrading to Fibe TV

KENUCK I think the person who told you the 7 meg upload was not available with Fibe TV is incorrect. I have it as part of my service for $5 per month. It's works great with my online backup service.

Speaking of which, I am told that with Fibe TV we get something called Personal Vault for free. Anyone use it? Is it reliable?

 

[Presco]

As for my plans, I am looking at like to get the 16+ (Edit: "or the 25+"; not available with Fibe TV) with the premium package if I can do without some news or sports channels. So $134 (Edit: "or $140") compared to $165 BES.

I will probably call today as I don't have TSN2 HD now and really want to get that additional HD channel. Will let you know how that works out.

After call with Bell: Fibe 25 is not available with Fibe TV. Hence the edits. The rep also said they do not off the 7Mbps Optional upload speed on lines with Fibe TV.

Hope that helps people.
Cheers,

Kenuck, can you outline what your migration offer says. If you manage to get the premium package with Fibe 16+ for $140 or less then I'd certainly be interested. Also, I'm assuming your price doesn't include the upgraded upload speed (which is definitely available). Thanks!

Still not sure what I'm going to do long term. The Shaw offer is outstanding for a monthly cable bill but doesn't include the cost of equipment and honestly, the whole home PVR is a feature I've grown to love from Bell.

 

[Kenuck]

Migration Offer

Hey... I called Bell back today based on betterthancable's comment (Thanks!) and worked out the following offer with Bell.

BTW betterthancable, you advice was spot-on. I had a different rep and the 7Mbps upload option is available to Fibe TV customers.

I have received the email and have reviewed the offer online. Here is the breakdown (stealing the format from caehlan)

Internet
+$61.95 (Fibe 16+, 16+ down/1 up, 75gb cap)
-$10.00 (Bell Bundle Discount)
+$6.95 (Modem rental)
+$5.00 (Upgrade to 7Mbps upload)
================
$63.90

TV
+$92.00 (Premium with TMN/HBO, Time Shifting)
-$5.00 (Bell Bundle Discount)
+$3.00 (Digital Services Fee)
+$0.00 (HD PVR that we get to keep for free from BES beta)
================
$90.00

Total
================
================
$153.90 (before HST)

My original calculation of $134 did not include a) a typo ... It should have been $139, b) modem rental, c) digital services fee and d) the upload upgrade to 7Mbps. If you don't upgrade your upload speed, then the total is $148.90 before HST.

So there it is... I know from talking to Rogers last time they couldn't match this and I really won't give up my Fibe TV PVR guide. Rogers needs to fix that guide, or get Tivo, before I ever go back to them.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[caehlan]

Ken, Thanks for reporting back, I think I will go for the exact same options as you. I currently get 25-28down and 4-5up on my BES internet. I'm guessing 16+ just means I wont be guaranteed 25 down... but 7 up will be nice.

Fully agreed about Rogers. Their guide is slow and crap, prices are higher and they can't match the upload speeds. The only benefit with Rogers was that they didn't throttle my torrents from 4pm to 2am... but thats not enough for me to consider switching back.

 

[Presco]

Thanks for the input everyone. Well, think I'm decided for now for my TV plan at least.

Turns out you can tweak plans a bit. Here's what I'm doing and it will go into effect on Jan 31st. You can add the HBO content to any plan and you can also remove time shifting. Way I see it is that since we have PVRs, why do we need time shifting?

My plan is essentially the starter plus (so 3 theme packs) with timeshifting removed (saves $3/month - woohoo) and the TMN/HBO (and AMC!) added. If you want this or something similar without time shifting you have to opt for the barebones starter back with time shifting removed and build up.

Will be $70 / month + digital service fee. So a little more than the Choice bundle with 4 less theme packs. I'll do without a few channels, the majority of which are garbage, if I can keep HBO and AMC for a reasonable price.

I was initially going to do without TMN and HBO until I realized that AMC was not available on any of the theme packs and was in fact in the TMN/HBO pack. 3 of my favorite shows are on AMC, not to mention all the great stuff on HBO. Bastards really know how to get you!

For internet, I think I'm going to start with Fibe 12 and add the extra upload speed and $5 overage insurance (adds 40GB to the 50GB cap). Same price as base Fibe 16 but with a little more bandwidth and higher upload speed. I'm not happy about the price or the gimped bandwidth and would definitely go with TekSavvy if it was possible.

Just so you know Bell, I'm gone as soon as someone offers an equivalent service. Wind is supposed to get in the game this year so I don't imagine it will be long. I've avoided them for cell service only because of the limitations of the home zone. I don't see that being an issue with IPTV. If it wasn't for my wife I would have cancelled already and just set up an HTPC or boxee with a vpn and use US netflix and Hulu. But she likes her certain shows and doesn't want to jump through hoops to get them. So my money is begrudgingly yours for the time being. But your time will come. Thanks for no contract!

 

[sigurdson]

I'm having a bad migration to Fibe TV from BES.

1. The Crapy Theme Packs
2. Will not let us use Cable internet TekSavvy seperate from the Fibe TV service. (Technically possible: block the internet portin via VLAN PPPoE router setting)
3. I wanted to move my home phone to Teksavvy and what a suprise not allowed.
4. I made my appointment via the email form for a 'Setup' call from 12-3pm and NO Call
5. I call to find out the deal and when I can expect a call and they say I can get another cal in a few days. After I re-do the email agreeing to all kinds of legal items and rember all my plan details again.
6. I'm tired and angry with Bell

 

[Presco]

I'm having a bad migration to Fibe TV from BES.

1. The Crapy Theme Packs
2. Will not let us use Cable internet TekSavvy seperate from the Fibe TV service. (Technically possible: block the internet portin via VLAN PPPoE router setting)
3. I wanted to move my home phone to Teksavvy and what a suprise not allowed.
4. I made my appointment via the email form for a 'Setup' call from 12-3pm and NO Call
5. I call to find out the deal and when I can expect a call and they say I can get another cal in a few days. After I re-do the email agreeing to all kinds of legal items and rember all my plan details again.
6. I'm tired and angry with Bell

I'm actually having similar issues. Booked my migration for the 31st back around the 10th. Received a call yesterday (the 31st) from Bell saying that they would be unable to complete the migration and I would have to reschedule. They had the time to call me to tell they didn't have time to take my call. Ok. I was told I would receive another email and would have to reagree to everything and reschedule my migration. Fine. I redid the migration email reply thing.

10 minutes later I receive another call from Bell. Same guy. Tells me they are unable to complete my migration today and yada yada yada. So they called me twice to tell me there wasn't enough time to complete my migration.

I rescheduled for today between 6-9pm. No call. At 10pm I received the migration offer again by email. This is just getting sad now. I won't be calling them to set up another call time and I'll wait for my new bill. Hopefully it stays at the BES rate. Based on their ineptitude up to this point, I'm guessing my price will stay the same. Here's hoping.

 

[sigurdson]

I'm having a bad migration to Fibe TV from BES.

1. The Crapy Theme Packs
2. Will not let us use Cable internet TekSavvy seperate from the Fibe TV service. (Technically possible: block the internet portin via VLAN PPPoE router setting)
3. I wanted to move my home phone to Teksavvy and what a suprise not allowed.
4. I made my appointment via the email form for a 'Setup' call from 12-3pm and NO Call
5. I call to find out the deal and when I can expect a call and they say I can get another cal in a few days. After I re-do the email agreeing to all kinds of legal items and rember all my plan details again.
6. I'm tired and angry with Bell

** Update on my bad Migration:
Well Bell Fibe called finally to migrate

1. You will lose all recordings
2. My PVR VIP 1216 (now mine) broken while doing the hard wipe DR (Disaster Recovery)
3. After 2 1/2 hour call with two techs I have an appointment to get my VIP 1216 swapped. (Bets on if they make it? Today is a snow storm.)
4. Internet per Gig over the new 50 gig cap now $1.50 up from $1.25 per Gig ( I use about 80-100 per month) Fibe 12 (with 7 meg upload option)
5 The best.. So, during the epic call Bell called me on the other line asking me to complete an automated survey about the call I was still on. LOL

I am happy to have a five month warranty on the gift of the good old VIP 1216 but did not think I would need to use it during the migration itself.

I will update when the Epic BES to FibeTV migration completes.

 

[norpan]

Smooth Migration

Sorry to hear of the terrible migrations. I transitioned from BES to Fibe on January 31 and all went well. I got the phone call within the agreed upon timeframe and did not lose any of my PVR recordings. It seems like the competence of the CSRs makes all the difference.

 

[Dr.Dave]

1. You will lose all recordings
2. My PVR VIP 1216 (now mine) broken while doing the hard wipe DR (Disaster Recovery)
3. After 2 1/2 hour call with two techs I have an appointment to get my VIP 1216 swapped. (Bets on if they make it? Today is a snow storm.)

A disaster recovery always wipes the hard drive. I wonder if that was really necessary. Anyone else reading this may want to clarify with the CSR that they don't want to lose their recordings.

Look on the bright side. You might "accidentally" get a VIP1232 as a replacement.

 

[sigurdson]

Fingers crossed on getting the 1232 but I am keeping my expatiations low.
I have the single console working sans PVR so I can get the snow updates... and I do like the new channels available.. Aquarium channel negh.

 

[sigurdson]

** Update PVR swapped for a VIP 1232.. Time to shovel.

 

[Presco]

4 month bump incoming...

Just wondered what everybody ended up doing. After the terrible transition I ditched the service entirely. I really gave Bell every opportunity but in the end I just couldn't deal with the nonsense. So now I'm using services that don't really stack up but I'm definitely happy.

Went with Shaw Direct for TV service. Bought 2 HDPVRs and haven't looked back. New customer offer was incredible and monthly price is great but picture quality and hardware just don't really match up with Entertainment / Fibe. I would have stayed with Bell in a heartbeat if they didn't also force Fibe internet on me. I loved the whole home PVR feature and I miss many of the extras such as TMN / HBO on demand and the great guide system.

I went with TekSavvy for internet, primarily for the cap. I won't compromise on caps again. I don't think twice about downloading the 15GB game on Steam anymore or streaming an HD rental on Apple TV. Download speeds are slightly slower than what I was getting on Fibe / Entertainment (with no TV on) but the difference is negligible. I don't miss the extra upload speed as much as I thought I would but it was a nice extra to have. Have had zero issues with downtime and the price is great.

So, I'm happier with my new internet service but somewhat disappointed in my new TV service (aside from the great price). In a perfect world I would have TekSavvy with a discounted Fibe TV. I really don't understand why they can't accommodate people with this option. But you can't always get what you want.