Forum Discussion
Grandpa is switching from Shaw. What to expect?
So I found out my grandpa is switching to Telus after years with the same equipment from Shaw, and I’m honestly wondering how difficult it will be to make the switch. Some of the main concerns I have are:
- Does the new Optik TV system still have that annoying Home Screen that pops up every time you turn it on that can’t be disabled? My other grandpa tried the new Optik TV system for a few days and it made him switch back to Shaw after only a few days as he hated it and isn't able to learn anything new with technology. (Yes, really.)
- Is there ads with Stingray now? My grandpa listens to the Easy Listening channel all the time and I heard from our neighbours that the new Telus Optik TV boxes unfortunately have ads now. Hoping that isn’t true as they receive Stingray without ads right now.
- Does Shaw still require you to give up the Shaw email address when switching? Because they unfortunately picked Shaw for email when they first got internet, and even when I tried to switch them to Outlook they wouldn't switch to it. (Yeah that’s more of a question for Shaw rather than Telus, but thanks Rogers for shutting down the Shaw forums and not allowing Shaw customers to use the new Rogers forums).
- What about Wi-Fi router placement? Their ONT got installed in the garage which is a bit of a dead zone where we don’t want it to be placed and there is no Ethernet cabling in their walls as it's an 80's house. Their current Shaw modem is in the living room where most of the devices are.
1 Reply
- C_Fun
Community Manager
Hi there, great questions, and we’re happy to help make the transition as smooth as possible for your grandpa. Here’s a breakdown to help put your mind at ease:
- Optik TV Home Screen: With the latest Optik 4K set-top boxes, the Home screen will appear at startup. However, once the TV is powered on, simply pressing “Guide” on the remote will take you straight into the traditional channel grid, just like he’s used to. We’re also working on updates to improve ease-of-use for customers who prefer a simpler experience.
- Stingray Channels & Ads: Stingray music channels on the new Optik TV platform may now include brief sponsor ads between songs, which is a change from the legacy platform your grandpa may be used to.
- Regarding the Shaw email address, since it’s managed by Shaw/Rogers, you’ll need to contact Shaw directly to confirm what happens to that email when switching providers. They’ll be able to provide the most accurate information about email access and any migration options.
- Wi-Fi/Modem Placement: Not a problem! If the ONT is in the garage but they want the Wi-Fi modem in the living room for best performance, you can use an Ethernet run or MoCA adapter to place the modem where it works best (even in older homes without existing cat-5 wiring).
