Canadian Internet Buyer's Guide

The CRTC defines broadband as 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload. That's the floor, not the goal. Here's a practical guide:

1–2 people, light use: 50–100 Mbps is plenty for streaming, browsing, and video calls.

Family of 3–4, mixed use: 150–500 Mbps. Multiple streams, gaming, and remote work happening simultaneously.

Power users, home offices, large families: 500 Mbps–1 Gbps. Future-proof and handles everything without congestion.

Creative professionals (uploaders): Look for symmetrical speeds (fibre). Upload speed matters as much as download if you sync large files or stream.

Most of Canada's Big 3 (Bell, Rogers, Telus) offer both 24-month term and month-to-month pricing. The term discount can save $10–20/month — but you're locked in.

Early termination fees (ETFs) are typically calculated as the monthly discount × remaining months. On a 2-year Bell contract, breaking it early in month 3 could cost $400+.

Independent ISPs (TekSavvy, Oxio, Distributel, Fizz) are almost exclusively month-to-month with no ETFs. This is a significant advantage — especially if you rent or move frequently.

Our advice: If you're stable in your home for 2+ years, a term plan saves money. Otherwise, go month-to-month with an indie provider.

Canadian ISP bills often include charges beyond the advertised price:

Equipment rental: $10–15/month for modem/router. Some providers include it free; others charge. Buying your own modem (for cable plans) saves money long-term.

Installation fee: $50–100 one-time. Often waived during promotions. Ask before signing.

Data overage: Most plans are now unlimited, but some entry-level DSL and rural plans still have caps. Watch for $2–5/GB overage fees.

Price increases: Promotional pricing (e.g. "first 12 months") often expires and the rate jumps. Read the full price for months 13+. Oxio is unique in Canada for its "price for life" guarantee.

Modem/router replacement: If your ISP-provided equipment fails outside warranty, you may be charged for replacement.

Switching is easier than most Canadians think:

1. Check availability — Enter your postal code here to see which providers serve your address.
2. Order with new provider — Most will give you a start date. Some can activate the same week.
3. Keep your current service until new service is confirmed working.
4. Cancel old service — Give 30 days notice to avoid extra billing. Check your contract for ETF.
5. Return old equipment — Failure to return rented modems/routers usually results in a charge ($100–200).

DSL note: If switching from Bell/Telus DSL to TekSavvy or another reseller, TekSavvy uses the same Bell/Telus copper — so the technician visit is minimal or none.

Canada's Big 3 (Bell, Rogers, Telus) own the physical network. Independent ISPs (TekSavvy, Distributel, Oxio, Fizz) pay to access those networks wholesale.

Why choose an indie ISP:
- Typically 30–50% cheaper for equivalent speeds
- No long-term contracts
- Often more customer-friendly policies
- Privacy-focused (some resist government data requests)

Why choose the Big 3:
- Broader footprint and faster max speeds
- Better bundle discounts (TV, mobile)
- Direct network access = potentially fewer congestion issues
- More retail/in-person support options

The catch: Wholesale access agreements in Canada mean indie ISPs are sometimes throttled or have lower speed caps than the big carriers. This is improving, but check current TekSavvy speeds in your area before assuming you'll get gigabit.