The average Canadian household that has never switched internet providers overpays by $30–50/month. That's $360–600/year for the same service — sometimes on the same physical infrastructure — just with a different name on the bill. Switching is straightforward once you know the steps and the traps. Here's the complete guide.
Step 1: Check your current contract
Before anything else, find out whether you're in a term contract. Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer both month-to-month and 24-month options. If you're in a term contract, you'll face an early termination fee (ETF) calculated as your monthly promotional discount multiplied by your remaining months.
Example: You signed a 24-month Bell contract at $80/month instead of the regular $100/month — a $20/month discount. At month 8, you have 16 months remaining. Your ETF = $20 × 16 = $320. If switching saves you $35/month, you'll recoup the ETF in under 10 months. But if you're in month 22 of 24, just wait out the two months and switch free and clear.
⚠️ Watch Out
ETFs on Big 3 contracts range from $100–600. Always calculate your break-even point before committing to a switch. The savings may not justify the switching cost if you're mid-contract with a large ETF.
Step 2: Try the retention call first
Before signing up with a new provider, call your current ISP and say: "I've been quoted $50/month from TekSavvy for the same speeds. Can you match that, or do I need to cancel?" Bell, Rogers, and Telus all have dedicated retention departments empowered to offer discounts not available online — typically $20–40/month for 12 months.
If you're happy with your current service but just want a better price, the retention call is the most efficient 15 minutes you can spend. If they can't match the price, proceed with switching.
💡Sam's Tip
The best time to make a retention call is the day you receive a price increase notice. You'll have leverage: ISPs are required to allow you to cancel without an ETF when they raise prices mid-contract. Use this power.
Step 3: The 5-step switching process
- 1.Check availability at your address. Not all providers serve all postal codes. Use our postal code tool to confirm which ISPs cover your address before signing up.
- 2.Order new service. Sign up with your new provider and schedule your installation or self-install date.
- 3.Do not cancel your old service yet. Keep your old internet running until the new service is confirmed working.
- 4.Verify your new service works. Run a speed test, test all your devices, and confirm performance for 24–48 hours.
- 5.Cancel old service. Call your old provider and give the required notice — typically 30 days. Confirm your cancellation date in writing.
Equipment return — don't ignore this
If you rented a modem or router from your old ISP, you must return it. Failure to return rented equipment typically results in a charge of $100–250 billed to your last credit card on file — and it will show up weeks after you've already cancelled and forgotten about it.
- •Bell: Return to any Bell store or schedule a courier pickup online.
- •Rogers: Return to any Rogers store within 30 days of cancellation.
- •Telus: Return via UPS — Telus provides a prepaid shipping label by email.
- •TekSavvy/Fizz/Oxio: Most customers bring their own modem; check if you received any rented equipment at setup.
DSL to cable, or cable to fibre — what to expect
Switching between technologies (DSL → cable, or cable → fibre) requires an installation appointment. A technician may need to run new cable from the street to your home or install a new jack inside. This typically takes 1–3 hours in a scheduled window. Budget for a half-day at home.
Switching between providers on the same technology (Bell DSL → TekSavvy DSL, or Rogers cable → TekSavvy cable) is often a self-install with a kit mailed to you. TekSavvy specifically has a well-regarded self-install process for cable switches.
📋 Based on CRTC Data
Under CRTC rules, ISPs must complete new service installations within 5 business days for at least 85% of orders. If your install is delayed beyond this, you can file a complaint at crtc.gc.ca — and ISPs take CRTC complaints seriously.
The best time to switch
The absolute best time to switch is when your promotional pricing period expires. You'll receive a notice that your bill is going up. This is your leverage moment: call retention, make a switch plan, and act within 30 days. Any price increase letter from a Big 3 carrier gives you the right to cancel without an ETF — that right is in the fine print of every notice.