Moving to Ontario (Cornwall) and looking around for an internet, tv and phone package via satelite, anyone got any recommendations or advice of what's good value currently.. or which company to avoid?

Basic TV (no need for UK sport), high speed internet a must and international call package is what I'm looking for.. thank you

www.rogers.com

Rogers have a good long distance phone package.
For $25 a month you can call the UK 24/7.

Its the reason we went with them, because no one else had as good a deal on calls to England.

My wife uses Bell for local calls and other locations in Canada. Free calls within the local area wahoo!! Wish we had that back home.

Rogers for the internet and cable works out the best deal for me.

International phone charges are covered by a company called ACN, which is very reasonable. There are a number of companies out there who also offer pay as you go international phone cards to avoid whopping phone bills.

Rogers doesn't serve Cornwall. I believe Cornwall is in Cogeco land for cable TV.

Bell may be able to do you a deal for an all in one internet, phone and TV package. If you buy a new HD TV at a major store, you can often get 1 year of free HD channels.

Bell also have their mobile service called Bell Mobility.

Thank you all for your replies.. I did have a look at Bell and it seems quite reasonable.

Didn't know Rogers doesn't serve Cornwall so thanks for that..

In many 'new build' areas, both Bell and the applicable cable company (in your case 'Cogeco') offer introductory packages good for a year or two that bundle tv/internet/phone (and in the case of Bell also mobile phone). After the year you can often extend the deal.

With Bell if you go to the local Bell store (likely in a mall somewhere in Cornwall) they can set you up with a package. Make sure if you are going to living outside of the built up part of Cornwall that high speed internet via Bell works. If not, you may have to go with rural high speed internet. That is not done by Bell. Storm Internet or Xplornet seem to ring a bell for rural coverage.

Good luck in Corntown.

Clynnog thanks for all your info.. we will be in Williamstown just 10 mins out of the city.. its a 20 year old house and quite rural

The previous owners had internet via satelite and I don't know who the supplier was. I think like you say there may be no cable, will get my husband to call into Bell and make some enquiries.

Thanks for the good wishes.. Any recommendations for furniture suppliers?

(Like modern inexpensive sofas )

... which, as you say, probably means there's no cable so all bets are off - you're looking at satellite or microwave if you want high-speed internet access, unless by some strange quirk of nature you're within realistic ADSL range and the local exchange is equipped to provide it.

Not that it'll likely be much help, but if you are within reach of Cogeco cable there's a pretty good TV/internet/phone package that we signed up to when we arrived. Phone is unmetered anywhere within north America (it's not "free" because you're paying for it in the bundle price, but there's no per-minute charge) and cheap across the Atlantic. Cable has some reasonable channel packages including the option to pick and choose a couple of extras from outside the standard bundles; all the usual suspects are in there somewhere. Internet access is fine for "normal" usage, including streaming lots of BBC radio.

We have both. If you have the choice and only want to pay for one go with microwave.

If you are right in Williamstown there may be cable (Cogeco). However, with the previous owners going for internet via satellite that doesn't bode well for the cable option. Calling Bell for cable enquiries won't help as Bell have a satellite service called Bell Express Vu. Their internet service is called Bell Sympatico.

For furniture try the Brick, Colonial Furniture or Ikea (Brick and Ikea are in Ottawa and Montreal I think). Colonial is an Ottawa chain. Brault & Martineau is a Montreal chain for furniture I think. I don't know of any Cornwall specific stores.

If I were you, I would have picked Williamstown (or South Lancaster for that matter) over Cornwall...much nicer setting that you have picked. Just don't go for a schwarma in Lancaster...worst place I've ever had one.

Thanks again Clynnog.. will have to do some research on the internet providers you suggested.

It's good to hear from someone who knows the area, you seem quite knowledgable..! Yes we liked Williamstown with it's close proximity to Dorion for hubby's work. We just picked up the keys 2 weeks ago and slept on an air mattress. Back in the UK now though for two more months before going back for good.

And Lancaster is very close by.. our house insurer and lawyer are situated there. Actually it was a toss up between Alexandria and Wlliamstown.

Will have a look at the furniture stores.. I found a really good bedroom suite on 'craigslist' Montreal last week, emailed the seller, got hubby to go look at it, loaded it in his truck and took it home that day.. perfect!

What would a schwarma be??

I know Lancaster, South Lancaster and Cornwall via work (land development, project management and related consulting). South Lancaster is particularly nice along the water. Dorion isn't the nicest place in the world and politically (and language wise) you are probably better in 613 vs 450. Alexandria is a bit of a hike to Dorion. You are probably 40 minutes drive to work from Williamstown. The sites and sounds of Mtl are only an hour away (non rush) and the same with Ottawa. As well, the international delights of Massena are only 20 minutes away. If you get really bored you can buy dodgy smokes and gas on the Indian reserve in New York State.

A shawarma is like a donair kebab with lots of mystery meat, garlic sauce in a pita with other add ons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma

Yes you are spot on exactly 40 mins to Dorion.. and not too far from the other main cities..

Not too sure about trying a schawarma though..!