Can you keep up with the changes to your signal provider?

Use to be the question was cable or antenna. It was a simple choice to make at times, especially depending on where you live and what channel you wanted to watch. However in the last couple of years consumers not only have more options, but digitial braodcast has made the antenna viable again, and the internet has put most of the top shows on the internet. There is now insentives not pay monthly for television (especially if your paying monthly for internet) at a time when so many choice for cable, satelite, and broadband.

The day after a big Super Sunday launch Shaw rolled out it's new EXO service only weeks after unvieling it's Gateway service to compete with the telecoms. Telus continues their marketing push of Optik with the launch of computer and tablet service. Satalite is loosing out on the hype factor, but still offer larger channel lineups (and potentially higher rates) than the locals.

So what is all this anyway? What is EXO? EXO is called an 'upgraded network" which simly allows more information to be passed through the system. More signal leading to higher quality pictures, and a 1080p picture, at a time when most braodcasters do not braodcast at 1080p.  Of the many hyped features includes more on demand programing and a faster top internet speed, along with the ability to watch on demand prograing on tablets and smart phones.

In many ways it was more of the same. The same shows and movies you could already see, but viewers now have the ability to see it from more devices any time they want.

The weird thing with Shaw it is not a case of getting customers, it's hanging on to those they already have. Most houses and apartments are already wired or were wired at some point with Shaw's equipment, as they were also wired with the phone company's equipment. EXO and gateway is Shaw's way of hanging onto customers that Telus, MTS, and Bell will try to take way.

While some people are sheding their teleivsion they will still need internet and Shaw and telus have a lock on that in Vancouver. Telus in many ways have the upper hand with introductary rates, and gifts. This is of course in exchange for a three year commitment, by then who knows what the landscape will be like. All Shaw can promise is no comitments and a competetive rate. But in many ways broadband and television through cable is more reliable service.

Are you sticking with Cable or going to the phone company?