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Canada internet plans that you need to know about.
Updated on April 24, 2024
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The first thing to know is that residential packages for internet in Canada may cost more than in many other countries.
One reason for this is the sheer breadth of Canada. It can cost a lot for Canada’s internet providers to maintain a network that operates in separate and far apart locations, and this cost is spread to users across the country.
It has also been suggested that Canada’s biggest internet service providers are using their internet customers to recoup falling revenue from their TV offering, as more and more customers ditch traditional cable TV.
So it’s important to make sure you get the best internet provider in Canada for you.
When you’re moving into an apartment, check which internet service providers are already operating on the premises. Some apartment buildings have special deals, and some tenant agreements will have service from ISPs in Canada already included in the cost.
There are about . That being said, many of them run off the major networks including Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Telus, Vidéotron, and Cogeco.
Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Shaw are among the bigger ISPs in Canada offering packages. But, there are other options — and one of these other options might be right for your needs.
Availability will depend on your location. For instance, Bell and Rogers are the big internet service providers in Ontario, while Shaw and Telus are the main players competing in western provinces.
Users in many discussion forums you’ll come across recommend Novus. However, they operate in very few locations. Their service is only available in certain apartment buildings in Vancouver.
TekSavvy is one of several Canadian internet providers who largely depend on the infrastructure of its bigger competitors.
In our video on Internet service providers in Canada, we ranked the nation’s top providers on a scale out of 40. You can scroll up and see the video on this page or .
Each provider was given a score out of 10 on the following metrics:
Our results were as follows:
When it comes to the best internet service provider in Canada overall, oxio comes out on top. oxio has coverage across all major Canadian cities. It loses points for a few holes in the Atlantic provinces, though. The setup process is simple, and efficient customer support is available. While they may not always be the cheapest option, their plans are competitively priced.
But don’t just take our word for it. oxio also scores highly on Trustpilot with 4.2 and on Google Reviews with 4.3. Customers often praise oxio for easy setup and quality customer service.
Our researchers at 鶹ӳý have sized up the internet providers market in Canada and arrived at some conclusions:
There are many internet providers in Canada however most providers use the infrastructure of one of the 6 main internet providers, Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Telus, Vidéotron, and Cogeco.
According to , Bell is the most-used internet service provider in Canada, as of 2023. Followed by Rogers, Telus, Shaw, and Vidéotron.
How fast your internet will be depends on a number of factors, including, where you are in Canada, your plan, the hardware or software you use, and what demands you have from your internet provider. In independent tests, Bell offers the fastest home internet in Canada at , with Rogers coming in 2nd place with 273.32 Mbps and Shaw, in 3rd place with 243.11 Mbps.
If you already have an idea of which ISP you would like to use, you can check on the provider’s website by typing in your home address.
The Canadian government website offers an that allows you to see which Canada internet providers are available in a given area. The website does not cover third-party providers, but if you know what networks they run on then you can get a good idea of whether they offer coverage in your area.
Also, if you are concerned about internet availability, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) offers an interactive map on its . It shows what types of services are available across Canada, and it even shows the areas that are underserved.
There are a number of factors to consider, including download and upload speeds, data caps, and cost.
Don’t be shy about asking internet service providers for detail on these, and explaining to them how you typically use the internet. It’s their job to ensure you’re informed about the package you’re buying.
If there’s anything the person you’re speaking to seems unsure of, feel free to politely ask them to check with their support managers for an answer.
Download / upload speed
Any data that comes from the internet TO your device relies on your downloading stream to get there. The higher the speed, the faster this data is likely to get to your device.
You can get by with very little if you’re doing some light web browsing. Examples would be checking email, reading articles like those on 鶹ӳý, and looking at some photos.
Other activities require more data to be transferred. A common example would be video, and in particular, video that has a very clear picture.
Netflix, for instance, recommends download speeds of at least five megabits per second (Mbps) to watch HD video, and 25Mbps to watch Ultra HD (very high-quality) video.
Any data that goes to the internet 鰿your device relies on your uploading stream to get there.
Every time you type in a web address, or search something on Google, you’re sending data from your device to the internet. These are relatively simple tasks that don’t require a very high upload speed.
More intense activities would be a video call, for example. When you’re streaming live imagery from your web camera to another web user, you’ll need a strong upload speed to send video that’s of a viewable quality.
Skype recommends an upload speed of at least 1.5Mbps.
Other issues to consider:
Data caps
Many Canada internet plans have a limit to how much data you can upload and download in any given month.
You will usually be able to check how much you’re using on an online tracker. If you’re otherwise happy with a package, but are concerned you might breach the data cap, it would be a good idea to trial it for a month, monitor your usage, and upgrade later if needs be.
Let’s say there are two of you in the house. You both watch Netflix and stream some live TV for an hour or two a night. You also look at Facebook, and check websites like 鶹ӳý on your desktop and your phone. You both FaceTime for about two hours in total per week. It’s unlikely that you’ll exceed 200GB per month.
Other factors to consider
It’s impossible to answer these factors conclusively in an article such as this, so don’t be shy about discussing these when you’re talking to Canada internet service providers.
Keep in mind settling into your new home can have its quirky moments, so you might want to consider providers who can help make your transition smoother and more convenient.
Prices in Canada tend to be higher than in other countries, yet average monthly prices of broadband internet are starting to trend downward.
A March 2023 by Innovation, Science, and Development Canada breaks Canada internet plans down into 7 levels. In all but Level 1 (3-9 Mbps), average monthly internet prices went down year-over-year.
Here are the average internet prices in Canada based on internet speed.
Packages and rates for Canada internet plans are often updated and may even vary depending on your location. For this reason, we recommend comparing the prices from these providers to find the best deal for your setup:
The process of transferring internet service providers in Canada is usually easy. When you’re signing up for your new service provider, ask them to transfer your existing services. They should be able to do it for you, meaning there’s no need to talk to your current provider.
Your new service provider will typically cancel your existing internet plan and start your new service. The cancellation takes effect immediately. There’s no need to provide 30 days’ notice before cancelling your Canada internet plan.
Tell us your experiences with internet service providers in Canada, and help others come to a decision. .
For guidance for other service providers you may need, visit:
Originally published on April 10, 2016. Prices last updated in August 2023. Disclaimer: all prices and information for ISPs in Canada are accurate at time of publication. These details may have changed since.
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