Find Internet Providers in Your Area

We recommend that you purchase an internet plan with at least 100 Mbps download speed. However, not all internet speeds are available in all areas. You need to explore what internet connection types are available and then identify the internet plan with the most suitable speed for your internet needs.

For example, if you stay in a metropolitan area, you will have access to a wide range of options including fiber and cable plans, whereas rural areas will typically have less options.

Fiber provides the fastest speed which is up to 3 Gbps then followed by cable, satellite, and DSL. Generally, you higher cost plans provide faster speeds.

You need to think of how you will use the internet and the number of connected devices before selecting a plan. For working from home, you will need 10 Mbps for video conferencing, email, and social networking on one device.

You need at least 20 Mbps for watching Netflix and 30 Mbps for HD quality. You need 10 Mbps for social networking and 5 Mbps for web browsing. For online video games, 50 Mbps for download speed and a minimum of 30 Mbps for upload speed is enough.

Fibre internet is a type of internet connection that transfers data using fibre optic cables which transfer light signals from one point to another using strands of thin plastic or glass.

These connections enable faster signal transfer compared to traditional coaxial cables that use copper conductors to transfer electrical signals.

The light can travel long distances without degrading and carry a lot of data. Fibre internet can achieve faster speeds of up to 10 Gbps or even faster in some circumstances.

Major ISPs in Canada such as Rogers, TELUS, and Bell Canada have developed fibre internet networks. Smaller ISPs can buy services wholesale from these fibre networks and resell them to their clients.

The majority of internet service providers in Canada offer plans with unlimited data. Unlimited data enables you to download and stream as much as you want as well as be informed on the latest news. However, due to connection restrictions, sharing the internet connection can be limited to a certain number of devices.

Fortunately, the Canadian government through the CRTC demands that all internet providers be transparent which enables citizens to switch from one provider to another easily. The Internet Code by CRTC indicates that your new provider can switch the internet services on your behalf.

Your current provider does not need to be informed about switching services. However, note that you are responsible for paying the contract termination fees and returning the modem/router. Therefore, contact your current provider to inform you about the conditions.

All the internet service providers offer month-to-month pricing, however, to get a discounted monthly rate, the ISPs may require you to sign a 12 or 24-month contract. Additionally, prices may increase once the contract ends.

To receive a discounted rate, call up your provider a few months before the contract expires and negotiate a new contract.

Thankfully, Canadian law dictates that all ISPs be transparent about their contract terms and pricing from the start. Therefore, it is important to read all the terms and conditions before signing the contract.

Most internet service providers in Canada include the cost of renting the router or modem in your monthly service fee. However, you can buy a router outright from smaller service providers. Some providers also offer the rent-to-own option which enables you to save money especially if you plan to use the internet services long term.

Buying your router gives you the option of more customization features in the future. Most individuals buy the router so that they can avoid connection slowdowns from ISPs and have more control over the network.