Cable Internet in Canada
Reliable, widely available, and fast. Canada's most common home internet technology, delivered over coaxial cable.
About Cable Internet
Cable internet uses the same coaxial cable infrastructure as cable TV. It's the most widely deployed broadband technology in Canada, available in virtually every urban and suburban area.
Modern cable technology (DOCSIS 3.1 and 3.0) supports download speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. The main trade-off vs. fibre is asymmetric speeds — download speeds are much faster than upload speeds, which matters if you frequently upload large files or do video calls.
Rogers, Cogeco, Videotron, and Eastlink are Canada's primary cable operators. Sub-brands like Fido and Fizz, plus independents like TekSavvy and Distributel, resell the same cable networks at lower prices.
Best Cable Providers in Canada (11)
Rogers
Canada's largest cable and wireless network
From
$60/mo
Cogeco
High-speed cable internet for Ontario and Quebec
From
$50/mo
Videotron
Quebec's leading cable and fibre provider
From
$68/mo
Eastlink
Atlantic Canada's home internet leader
From
$85/mo
TekSavvy
Canada's leading independent internet reseller
From
$37/mo
Fido
Rogers Xfinity internet on the Fido brand
From
$60/mo
Koodo
Affordable home internet across most of Canada
From
$44/mo
Virgin Plus
Bell network internet in Quebec with a price-lock guarantee
From
$35/mo
Distributel
Independent reseller — no contracts, honest pricing
From
$40/mo
Fizz
Quebec's cheapest 100 Mbps home internet — no contracts, no price hikes
From
$40/mo
Oxio
Refreshingly honest internet — no price hikes, ever
From
$55/mo
Tip: Consider a Reseller
TekSavvy, Distributel, Oxio, and Fizz all resell the same Rogers and Cogeco cable networks — often at 30–50% lower prices, with no contracts. If you're in their service area, they're worth comparing before signing up directly with Rogers or Cogeco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cable internet fast enough for streaming and gaming?
Yes — cable internet handles 4K streaming, video calls, and online gaming with ease. Most cable plans offer download speeds of 100 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps. The main limitation is upload speed, which is lower than download on cable. For heavy uploaders or video streamers, fibre offers symmetric speeds.
What's the difference between cable internet and fibre in Canada?
Cable uses coaxial cable infrastructure (same as cable TV) and delivers fast downloads but slower uploads — typical ratio is 10:1 download to upload. Fibre uses glass cables and delivers identical download and upload speeds. Fibre is faster and more future-proof, but cable is more widely available and nearly as fast for most households.
Can I use my own modem for cable internet in Canada?
Yes, for most cable providers you can use a DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 compatible modem, which saves the $10–15/month equipment rental fee. Rogers, Cogeco, and Videotron all support compatible third-party modems. Check your provider's approved modem list before buying. Independent resellers like TekSavvy also support customer-owned modems.
Which cable internet providers operate in Quebec?
Videotron is the dominant cable provider in Quebec, operating the coaxial network. Fizz (Videotron's sub-brand) and Oxio resell the same network at lower prices. Bell is present in Quebec via fibre and DSL but not cable. Rogers has limited cable coverage in parts of Quebec.
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