-- ended up being asked if I wanted to spend another $6.9...

[mdk]

@taz12004 -- ended up being asked if I wanted to spend another $6.95 to add voicemail and call waiting.

Yes, those are optional services that are available to Shaw Phone customers.

Customers who do not want those services are not required to pay for those add-ons. 

Customers who cannot afford those add-on services are not required to pay for those add-ons. 

[kcowan]

As a new Shaw Bluecurve customer, I was offered Home Phone for $40/mo in May 2023. I declined happily. If I was offered $10 or even $20, I might have considered it.

[jenspoke]

With my bundled plan Shaw has discounted the home phone rate, leaving me with a net-cost of $10/month.