> Try to charge monthly rent for a modem ... Hmm. My mont...

[mdk]

> Try to charge monthly rent for a modem ...

Hmm. My monthly bill shows a charge for the modem, and an offsetting "credit" for the modem, reducing the net monthly cost to ZERO.

[rstra]

I have never been a big fan of service providers giving huge breaks to new customers, I believe that this strategy ultimately costs long term customers. Getting rid of promos would create a more balanced rate structure. I am due to renew next November and I have no clue what I will be paying, which has caused me to move all my email to gmail, in preparation. It is not just Shaw, but all providers in this industry are the same and not one is willing to do the right thing.

[cate2020]

Agreed. It leads to frustration and resentment when you are a loyal customer who is treated so poorly. I've spent over 2 hours today trying to reach Shaw to upgrade my service (adding TV to my current internet). As a customer of 24 years I am sitting here listening to the annoying Shaw music and messages over and over for the second hour+ long phone wait today. I have yet to speak with a service representative. Through my search for an internet/TV bundle I've also discovered that I will pay more than if I were to sign up as a new customer. What kind of business is this?? I expect I will be switching to Telus, even though I expect that in a couple of years I will face the same frustration with them.

[Ashley689]

I'm also thinking to cancel. Shaw used to be very easy to deal with. Ever since Rogers took over though, customer service is almost non existent. Any time I call or try chat, I'm waiting FOREVER! And the facebook chat link they offer doesn't even work. Unacceptable. By far one of the worst customer services I've dealt with. Would definitely not recommend using Rogers.

[Brad747]

Agreed. Shaw and Rogers are getting worse and worse. I do wish I had never gotten a two year tract with them. I am considering paying my way out of it just to get rid of them.

[mdk]

@Brad747 -- if you cancel your two-year Value Plan, your contract says that the cancellation fee is $30, multiplied by the number of months remaining in your contract.  So, you can either pay over $100/month to keep TV-and-Internet services, or $30/month if you cancel (and return their 2 boxes).  

Before you cancel, contact Telus.  In the past, they offered to pay your cancellation fee, giving you "bill-credit" (not cash). I don't know if this offer is still available.

I doubt that either the provincial or federal governments want to get into providing TV/Internet, by them buying-out Shaw/Rogers, Telus, Bell, SaskTel, MTS, and other regional telecommunication companies. It would be horribly expensive for them to build their own network of fiber-optic cables "everywhere" in every province.  That would be spending "your taxpayer money" to do so. Be careful what you ask for.  🙂