Recently I switched to a full on Telus package… phone, TV and Internet. I’ve been using Shaw for most services except phone for as long as I can remember but I saw Telus had the Disney Channel which my daughter loves so I thought I’d give them a try.
Telus Optik TV Review
The Good
Telus TV has some really nice features, the Movie Channels on Demand has way more programs available at any given time and there also seems to be a lot more series for both HBO and Movie Channel. The time shifting also seems to provide more options available that I didn’t have on shaw for the same amount of money. Once I got used to the guide format I enjoyed it although the color coding on shaws menu was handy. The channel packages have a pretty good mix, different from the way shaw splits them up. Telus also has the shared PVR feature which is convenient for multi TV systems.
The Bad
On the flip side there seems to be connectivity issues daily. Either you need to reset the main router, the local box or the PVR depending on what is having problems. Often you get a choppy video or failure to connect to the PVR (when using a remote box). After all those years on Shaw where this problem never happened this is very annoying.
Telus Optik Internet
I’ve had some form of high speed internet for over ten years, I’ve never had the super high speeds but usually ran around the 7 mbps speeds. Optik Internet comes in speeds of 15 mbps and 25 mbps and I’m on the 15 mbps speed. Downloads have doubled in speed for programs etc running just over 1 mbps which is pretty handy. I don’t use usenets or anything else that would give me access to the top speed which is one reason I saved a couple of bucks on the slower option.
The wireless router is now N instead of the G router you get on the Telus ADSL. I wouldn’t say it really boosted the wireless range all that much and doesn’t pass through walls any better then the old router. I have seem some slow downs in the first few weeks but with the number of computers we have sharing the network I couldn’t say whether or not its a telus problem or not.
Overall it’s a decent system though for the same amount of money you could get 50mbps internet from Shaw.
Phone
Telus started here and the rumors on Voip phone is a major reason I went for a Telus bundle over a Shaw bundle. I haven’t tried Shaw phone service first hand so I can’t really comment on whether the rumors have any foundation or not but I’ve had good luck with Telus phone service.
NOTE: when the Shaw tech came to unhook our TV system he unplugged the Telus system at the same time. Pretty unprofessional but I know Shaw subcontracts a lot so I give the company a break.
