Canada internet service providers: A guide

The first thing to know is that residential packages for internet in Canada cost more than in many other countries.

One reason for this is the sheer breadth of Canada. Canada’s internet providers can cost a lot 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 deal.

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.

Don’t spend more than you have to.

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Main internet service providers in Canada

>Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Shaw are among the bigger ISPs in Canada offering packages.

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.

We’ve listed these six ISPs in Canada and assessed their products. Read our advice first and keep it in mind when assessing the internet service providers available at your address.

Which internet in Canada option is best for me?

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 Moving2Canada, and looking at some photos on Facebook from time to time.

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 FROM 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 Skype 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:

• Your patience. Slower download / upload speeds means data will transfer more slowly. If you want web pages to load more quickly, then pay for a higher speed from your Canadian internet provider.
• How many people / devices will be connecting to the internet? If you pay for a 10Mbps download speed, and six people are all connected to it at the same time, you’ll end up with some very slow internet indeed.
• Will you be connecting over the wireless, WiFi connection, instead of directly to the modem with a cable? The advertised speeds apply to wired connections. Speeds weaken over WiFi, and deteriorate the further you go away from the router. You may need to pay a little extra to get yourself some wriggle room.

Data caps

Most 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 Moving2Canada 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 companies providing internet in Canada.

• How big is your house/apartment? Will the wireless router they provide cover all areas? Have a look at where the wall outlet for internet service providers is located in your home and tell them whether it’s centrally located.
• Is there a rental charge for the equipment? Canada’s internet providers vary in this respect. Some will add a monthly fee for their modem, others won’t.
• Is their technical support good? WiFi operates on a range of signals, and in apartment blocks where lots of WiFi networks operate, these signals can sometimes interfere with each other. If you’re not technically proficient, you may need to give them a call, so ensure you go with internet service providers who are ready to help.
• Is there a charge for technical support call-outs?
• Are there any network problems in the area you should be aware of? Occasionally, internet service providers in Canada will have issues providing a full service to all customers in a particular area. It might occur at evenings, for example, when the majority of its users are all attempting to download lots of data at the same time. Find out before you buy. And if problems occur after you have service installed, talk to them about seeking refunds for loss of service, or taking your service elsewhere.
• What extras are included in the cost? Of course, a good salesperson will tell you this without being asked, but lots of internet service providers in Canada include some nice extras in the cost. Be sure to make the most of your hard-earned loonie.

Packages and rates for internet in Canada

Packages and rates for internet across Canada 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:

• Shaw
• Rogers
• Telus
• Bell
• Novus (select parts of Vancouver)
• TekSavvy (certain areas)
• Videotron (Quebec)

Mobile internet

Bell and Rogers are among those offering services which receive signal over the 4G LTE network (which mobile phones use to connect to the internet in Canada) to deliver a WiFi network to your home.

They can be convenient if you are in a location where wired internet services are either impractical, or unavailable.

However, they tend to be more expensive than normal residential internet packages. They also usually have lower data usage caps.

What do you think?

Tell us your experiences with internet service providers in Canada, and help others come to a decision. Share your views on our Facebook page.

For guidance for other service providers you may need, visit:

• How to arrange your utilities in Canada
• Find the best bank in Canada for you
• Visit our city guides for location-specific advice

Originally published on April 10, 2016. Prices last updated in November 2019. Disclaimer: all prices and information for ISPs in Canada are accurate at time of publication. These details may have changed since.