Just to save people some time calling TELUS, I've put together the following FAQ to answer any questions you may have about the new service.
** the speeds are off the top of my head, I'll update them if they are wrong, but those are what I remember
High Speed 50
Speeds - 45.0 to 50.0Mb/s down, 5.0 to 10.0Mb/s up
- test this on wired, don't call in once you get it stating that you're not getting 50Mb/s on wireless)
Optik 50
Speeds - 25.0 to 50.0Mb/s down, 5.0 to 10.0Mb/s up (fair warning, that's what I recall initially, but seeing on the TELUS site now if I change my service, it just says Up to 50.0Mb/s down
- again, see note above regarding testing this speed
- DSL ONLY depending on your train rate, there's enough overhead to offset watching all streams while using your internet for it to not be adversely affected (eg. I train at ~73Mb/s, if I watch all TV at once [3HD + 1SD] it would leave me 73Mb/s - (3x 6.0) - 3.0 = ~52.0Mb/s, where as before, if you were on Optik 25, you would see speed loss once you invoked a 2nd HD or SD stream (33.304Mb/s - 25.0Mb/s = 8.3Mb/s = less than 2 streams, so the 25.0-50.0 range is pretty generous, but again, that depends on what you train at
Cost - $75.00/month, less any bundle discounts you receive.
Bandwidth Cap (either plan) - 500.0GB/month
As of Feb 1, 2013, this will change to 250.0GB/month. :(
(Don't shoot the messenger. I'm not happy about this either, however, TELUS may change their minds. In all honesty, I thought for HS/Optik 50 that we would get 1.0TB of bandwidth. Woe is me...
Requirements
If you're on ETTS or GPON, stop, advance to go, collect $200, and be happy that you qualify automatically for the new service. Call and book it.
If you're on copper (ie. DSL) things are a bit trickier.
TELUS will prioritize service on a single line. If that single line can sustain the necessary train rates (~52-55Mb/s down, ~10-12Mb/s up) then see the Single DSL Line section. If not, then jump to the loop bonding section.
Single DSL Line
- officially, you will require an Actiontec V1000H or V2000H (bonding only,) however, I get Optik 50 working fine on my ALU + Netgear setup. If you don't have one of these gateways, one will be provided to you during install.
- for those who can sustain those speeds on the one line, TELUS will book a field tech, however, it may just require a software order (ie. flip a switch.) However, if it's not a software order, a tech will come to your place if you require an Actiontec, or a VDSL POTS splitter (if you were on an ADSL profile prior to the upgrade.)
- if you call in for this and TELUS says no, ask what the maximum 17a profile speed is. This must be at least the numbers listed above.
Loop Bonding
- if your one line (clearance) can not sustain the train rates required above, if you have a second clearance to your place, we may be able to bond your lines to achieve that.
- generally, you'll only have a second clearance to your place if you live in a house. Most condos and apartment buildings don't have a physical second line going in. If you're not in a house, you most likely won't be able to get bonding, short of getting another line run to your unit/suite.
- as of Dec 1, 2012, loop bonding is only available in Edmonton, Alberta or Prince George, British Columbia. Sorry for those who don't live in either city, however, this rollout will change.
- loop bonding doesn't guarantee HS/Optik 50, but will guarantee HS/Optik 25 (3HD/1SD/25,) those on 2HD/1SD/15 or 1HD/2SD/15 rejoice.
- loop bonding for HS 25 requires minimum ~25-27Mb/s down and ~2.5-3.0Mb/s up (train rate.)
- loop bonding for Optik 25 requires minumum ~33Mb/s down and 2.5-3.0Mb/s up (train rate.)
- loop bonding requires a technician visit and you can only use an Actiontec V2000H.
- if you call in for this and TELUS says no, ask what the maximum 8b profile speed is (again, only if you're in Edmonton or Prince George. If you're not and you call in for bonding, I will be a sad red panda.) The max 8b profile speed will dictate if you can get HS/Optik 25 or 50.
That's all I think we need for now. I'll add more to this, and update this thread once Loop Bonding is out in more communities, in addition to adding new info and fixing errata.
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I may work for, but do not necessarily represent the views and beliefs of TELUS Communications.
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