Marvellous expanses of countryside are among the best things about Canada. But poor internet access in a world where everyone is expected to do at least some things online can be a drawback.
For many, the solution is in the air, with Starlink offering one of the best rural internet provider options for a reliable connection. Xplore, a company specializing in connecting rural areas, may also be able to help.
Rogers, on the other hand, offers 5G internet that might just work for you, and Telus offers 5G or LTE internet that reaches many remote areas. Alternatively, MapleWiFi is an ISP focusing on people living in or travelling through remote areas.
This article unpacks the pros and cons of rural internet providers in Canada, allowing you to make a choice that works for you.
1. Starlink
The top advantage of Starlink is that it’s available just about anywhere. All you need is a clear view of the sky. $140 will get you unlimited access, and in many areas, it’s the fastest option.
You’ll have to buy your equipment and install Starlink yourself, and that may mean buying additional hardware over and above the basic kit. There is customer support, but you have to use the app to send messages and then wait for a response.
The top drawback is its high cost, but Starlink still offers the fastest, most reliable internet for people living in the most remote areas of Canada. Users will get download speeds of between 25 and 220 Mbps with an average speed of 100 Mbps.
2. Xplore
There are some achievements behind Xplore. They’ve built up a 5G network that reaches Canadians in out-of-the-way places across six provinces and they also offer LTE and in some areas, fibre. The Jupiter 3 satellite is said to offer improved speeds in out of the way places, and they’re advertising up to 100 Mbps download speeds. Plans range from around $60 to $140 and router rental is $6 monthly.
Many users are reporting speeds that are slower than advertised and, although there’s customer service, many users appear less than happy with it. Your success with Xplore likely depends on where you live with little to no remedy if it doesn’t match your expectations.
3. Rogers
If you have reception using the Rogers network in your area, you may want to consider its 5G internet offer. It costs $60 per month including a 5G home gateway or 5G home internet hotspot device. When 5G isn’t available, it switches to 4G or LTE. It’s fairly low-risk since you can try it for a month and cancel if you’re not getting the results you hoped for.
Rogers 5G users generally report reasonable reliability in rural areas with download speeds around 100 Mbps. There’s a 500 GB data cap, but on the upside, it isn’t geofenced to a single address.
4. Telus
Similar to Rogers, Telus 5G internet works well if you have a good signal from your nearest tower. If 5G isn’t available, the service switches to the slower LTE. The cost of plans ranges from $84 to $105 with maximum download speeds for the cheapest plan at 50 Mbps while the costlier plan has a maximum speed of 200 Mbps. A 5G router will set you back a further $15 per month. Like Rogers, there’s a 500 GB data limit.
How satisfied you’ll be depends on where you live. Some rural users have been with Telus for years and are satisfied with the service while others complain of slow or variable speeds.
5. MapleWiFi
MapleWiFi uses mobile phone carrier networks to offer unlimited 5G internet access wherever you can get a signal. Most users seem satisfied with it as a functional connection but the downside is an equipment charge of $199 and a $159 charge for monthly usage. Average speeds are between 50 Mbps and 90 Mbps and customer service is limited to email correspondence.
The best scenario for considering Maple will be for its use as part of a roaming lifestyle. A Starlink roaming subscription cost is $189 per month, making MapleWiFi a cost-saving alternative. A desire to avoid the 500 GB cap on 5G internet direct from providers provides an alternative reason to consider Maple.
The State of Rural Internet in Canada
About one in five Canadians live in rural areas. It’s a statistic that provides all the reasons you’ll need to understand why major telcos have not prioritized service provision in rural areas, particularly when they are not near main roads.
Concerned about this “digital divide,” the Canadian government is pouring $675 million into improving rural internet access. It aims to reach a point where all rural Canadians have internet access using LTE as a minimum by 2030.
Although city dwellers may find the aim of 50 Mbps download speeds unambitious, it will be better than what’s available to some households at the moment. Meanwhile, limited infrastructure and competition is making internet access costly for many rural Canadians.
Different Types of Rural Internet
Satellite Internet
In areas with poor mobile phone infrastructure, satellite internet, particularly Starlink, is the only relatively reliable option and costs are high. Xplore also offers satellite internet but has fewer satellites to work from and is therefore less reliable. In short, satellite internet is the costliest rural internet option in Canada, but also the one with the greatest reach.
Fixed Wireless Internet
If there’s a fixed wireless internet tower nearby, you can get high-speed internet using an antenna that picks up radio signals. If you’re fortunate enough to have access to this technology, results can be excellent, provided your antenna has line-of-sight to a tower. Xplore is among the companies offering this type of service.
5G/LTE Mobile Hotspot
In this article, we suggested Rogers and Telus as rural internet providers offering 5G or LTE mobile hotspots. A device picks up signals from a cell phone provider, converts it into data, and allows you to access it. Provided you have a good cell phone signal, this technology works very well, but it’s not much use if your signal is weak.
DSL
It’s an old technology, but it still works. DSL uses copper-cable telephone lines to transmit data. The nature of the cable slows it down, but speeds of up to 100 Mbps are possible, although this can fall as low as 5 Mbps. DSL is being replaced by fibre, but rural areas are the last to connect to fibre networks, so DSL remains an option in some areas.
Rural Internet FAQs
What Is The Best Rural Internet Technology?
If cost doesn’t factor into the equation, then satellite is the best rural internet technology. It doesn’t depend on cable infrastructure, cell phone towers and the like. And, as long as you have a reasonably open view of the sky, you’ll be able to get connected, often at better speeds.
Is Rural Internet in Canada Reliable?
The answer to this question depends on the infrastructure in the rural area in question. Xplore is among the providers offering fibre in some rural areas and some areas have good access to 5G or LTE.
Can I Stream or Play Online Games With Rural Internet?
For streaming, the speeds you need depend on image quality. You can get away with as little as 6-9 Mbps for relatively low-definition video streaming. Most games will work at download speeds as low as 10 Mbps, but upload speeds must be at least 5 Mbps. However, some games are data-heavy and you may experience lag.
Does the Canadian Government Offer Subsidies for Rural Internet Access?
As an individual, you will not receive subsidized internet access. However, communities can apply for help from the Canadian Broadband Fund. Currently, corporations, local government bodies, and indigenous community governments can apply when calls for application are open.
