I got off the phone this morning with my Internet / telephone provider. The thing to remember when calling Telus is to ask for a customer retention specialist. Special discounts seem the order of the day but one can keep them in effect if one shouts and pleads. I just chopped $26 per month off my bill through negotiation. One has to make sure one's armed with the latest prices from competitors. As well, it really does help to have an extensive history with the company with which you're trying to wrestle rates. Generally, at least in Canada, telecommunication companies are most familiar with special, six-month offers.
I was given some off-the-record advice today. After the terms have expired be willing to pay a month or two at current (higher) rates, and then call for a reduction back to previous ones. Even the big guys are willing to match or exceed cut-rate providers as long as one has a proven track record with them. I'm much happier paying $26.28/month less for the next half year. That gives me nearly $160 and I can think of other, more-useful ways to spend that money.