| |
Shaw Cable |
TBayTel |
Basic Services |
• Unlimited local calling
• Enhanced 911 Emergency Services
|
• Unlimited local calling
• 911 Emergency Services
• 24-hour local operator services |
Service Calls |
• 24/7 Technical Support
|
• 611 Repair Service
• Free buried cable locating |
Telephone Directory |
• Unknown |
• Telephone Directory white page listing
• Free Telephone Directory |
24/7 Technical Support |
• Yes |
• No
8:00am-8:00pm Mon-Fri
10:00am-10:00pm Sat/Sun |
Directory Assistance |
• Complimentary 411 service |
• 411 Directory Assistance for residential
(charges apply 75¢) |
Voice Mail |
• $5.95/month extra
(includes call-waiting) |
• $5.95 for voicemail basic |
Call Waiting |
• See above |
• Extra Charge |
Call Forward |
• Included in all plans (free) |
• Extra Charge |
Call Display |
• Included in all plans (free) |
• $3.95 for number display
• $3.95 for name display |
3-Way Calling |
• Included in all plans (free) |
• Extra Charge |
Call Blocking |
• Selective Call Blocking and Call Return |
• Free call blocking and toll restriction |
Other Calling Features
(at an extra cost) |
• Second line for $19.99/month with Digital Phone Lite or only $1.99 per month with the normal Digital Phone plan (current promotion - may expire)
|
• Selective Call Forwarding
• Selective Ringing/Call Waiting
• Visual Call Waiting
• Selective Call Acceptance
• Selective Call Rejection
• Call Return
*Special hardware may be required |
Miscellaneous |
• Online management of phone features
• Forward voice mail to email account
• Internet connection not required
• Works with your existing home phone |
|
Long Distance |
• 4¢-per-minute long-distance calling in Canada, the U.S. and 50 Countries in the U.K., Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. Unlimited calls in Canada and US with normal Digital Phone plan (see rates below)
• Access to Shaw International Direct — competitive rates to countries such as India and the Philippines |
• 7¢-per-minute long-distance calling to Canada and the U.S. |
Bundled Services |
• Television (Basic, Digital and HD)
• High Speed Internet (Cable)
|
• High Speed Internet (DSL) |
Service Cost and Plans |
• Digital Phone Lite
$19.99 for first six months
$29.99 after six months
(with other Shaw services)
$34.99 after six months
(with no other Shaw services)
• Digital Phone (Normal)
$29.99 for first six months
$40.00-45.00 after six months
(with other Shaw services)
$55.00 after six months
(with no other Shaw services)
|
• Basic Landline (no features)
$22.44 (based on my last bill).
TBayTel did not provide rates on their website and up to date rates could not be found during the time of this comparison. |
Cost Example
60 min long distance/mo
Voice Mail
Caller ID
|
$29.99
$2.40
$5.95
$0.00 (included)
---------
$38.34 / month
• Digital Phone Lite after 6 mos with another Shaw services |
$22.44
$4.20
$5.95
$3.95 (number display only)
---------
$36.34 / month |
However, if you are spending hours and hours on the phone long distance and utilize other Shaw services, you will save by switching to Shaw. If you do switch, don't be fooled by the six month initial cost, look at the long term to ensure you are still saving in the end.
To save even more money and if you have Internet access, programs like Skype, MSN Messenger and so forth can connect you around the world at minimal cost. There are dozens of Internet phone services that hands down have the best rates for long distance.
General Information about Digital Phone
Shaw Digital Phone is not like low-cost Internet-based phone services. It uses a technology called Managed IP Telephony. This means that phone calls travel directly from Shaw’s secure, managed network to the public telephone system. Internet-based
phone calls travel across unmanaged networks which can produce poor sound quality,
dropped calls and sometimes a complete service outage.
Shaw Digital Phone also includes an eight-hour battery backup so your service will
continue to work in the event of a power outage. Low-cost providers do not. You also
get Enhanced 911, a service that automatically displays your name and address to
emergency response dispatchers. Internet-based services may guarantee low-cost
calling but Shaw Digital Phone guarantees reliable service.
No internet connection is required for Shaw Digital Phone service. You can continue to
use the same telephone you have now.
