Cheapest Internet Plans by Provider
| Provider | Plan | Speed (Download) | Monthly Price | Contract | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxio | Basic | 100 Mbps | $35/mo | None | Rogers/Videotron cable |
| TekSavvy | Cable 75 | 75 Mbps | $37/mo | None | Rogers/Shaw cable |
| TekSavvy | Cable 150 | 150 Mbps | $47/mo | None | Rogers/Shaw cable |
| Distributel | Value | 75 Mbps | $35/mo | None | Bell/Rogers |
| Start.ca | Start 75 | 75 Mbps | $40/mo | None | Rogers cable |
| Carrytel | Cable 75 | 75 Mbps | $33/mo | None | Rogers cable |
| Vmedia | Unlimited 75 | 75 Mbps | $35/mo | None | Rogers/Bell |
| Fizz | Internet 120 | 120 Mbps | $42/mo | None | Videotron (QC only) |
| Ebox | Basic | 120 Mbps | $40/mo | None | Videotron (QC only) |
| CIK Telecom | Cable 75 | 75 Mbps | $30/mo | None | Rogers cable (ON) |
Big 3 Provider Pricing
| Provider | Basic Plan | Mid Plan | High-Speed Plan | Gigabit+ Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell | $65/mo (100 Mbps) | $80/mo (300 Mbps) | $95/mo (1 Gbps) | $110/mo (3 Gbps) |
| Rogers | $60/mo (150 Mbps) | $80/mo (500 Mbps) | $95/mo (1 Gbps) | $115/mo (2 Gbps) |
| Telus | $65/mo (150 Mbps) | $80/mo (400 Mbps) | $95/mo (1 Gbps) | $110/mo (2.5 Gbps) |
| Shaw/Freedom | $55/mo (150 Mbps) | $75/mo (500 Mbps) | $90/mo (1 Gbps) | $100/mo (1.5 Gbps) |
| Videotron | $52/mo (100 Mbps) | $72/mo (400 Mbps) | $85/mo (1 Gbps) | $100/mo (1.5 Gbps) |
Big 3 prices are regular rates. Promotional pricing is typically $20–$30/mo less for the first 12–24 months.
Average Internet Cost by Province
| Province | Average Monthly Cost | Cheapest Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $65–$80 | $30–$40 (resellers) | Most reseller options |
| Quebec | $55–$70 | $30–$40 (Fizz, Ebox) | Videotron competition helps |
| British Columbia | $65–$80 | $35–$45 (TekSavvy) | Shaw provides some competition |
| Alberta | $70–$85 | $40–$50 (TekSavvy) | Fewer reseller options |
| Manitoba | $65–$80 | $40–$50 | MTS/BellMTS dominant |
| Saskatchewan | $65–$80 | $45–$55 | SaskTel dominant |
| Nova Scotia | $70–$85 | $40–$50 (Eastlink area) | Fewer competitors |
| New Brunswick | $70–$85 | $40–$50 | Rogers/Bell territory |
How to Save on Internet
| Strategy | Potential Savings | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to reseller | $20–$40/mo ($240–$480/yr) | Low (simple switch) |
| Call and negotiate retention deal | $15–$30/mo for 12 months | Low (one phone call) |
| Use own modem/router | $10–$15/mo ($120–$180/yr) | One-time $100–$200 purchase |
| Downgrade speed (if overpaying) | $10–$25/mo | Low |
| Drop TV bundle (use streaming) | $30–$80/mo | Medium |
| Connected Families program | Save up to $50/mo | Low (must qualify) |
| Student discounts | $10–$20/mo off | Low (valid student ID) |
| Seasonal promotions (Black Friday) | $20–$40/mo for 12+ months | Low (time it right) |
Connected Families: Low-Income Internet
| Provider | Program | Speed | Monthly Price | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell | Connected Families | 50 Mbps | $20/mo | Families receiving max Canada Child Benefit |
| Rogers | Connected for Success | 75 Mbps | $20/mo | Low-income seniors, social housing residents |
| Telus | Internet for Good | 75 Mbps | $20/mo | Low-income families, seniors, youth |
| Shaw/Freedom | Connected for Success | 150 Mbps | $20/mo | Social housing residents |
| Videotron | Connected Families | 50 Mbps | $20/mo | Qualifying families |
Internet Speed Guide: What You Actually Need
| Usage | Minimum Speed | Recommended | Users/Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic browsing & email | 10–25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | 1–2 |
| HD streaming (Netflix, etc.) | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 2–3 |
| 4K streaming | 50 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 1–2 4K streams |
| Remote work (video calls) | 25 Mbps | 50–100 Mbps | 1–2 workers |
| Gaming | 25 Mbps (low latency) | 100 Mbps | 1–2 gamers |
| Large household (4+ people) | 100 Mbps | 300–500 Mbps | 4+ heavy users |
| Home office + family streaming | 100 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Mixed use |
Most households do fine with 100–150 Mbps. Gigabit plans are rarely necessary unless you have 6+ simultaneous heavy users.
How to negotiate a lower internet bill
Step 1: Research competitor prices. Know what TekSavvy, Oxio, or a regional ISP charges for comparable speed in your area. This is your leverage.
Step 2: Call the loyalty/retention department. Ask for the “loyalty” or “retention” team — not customer service. These reps have more authority to offer discounts.
Step 3: Mention cancellation. Say you are considering switching to [competitor] at $[price]. Be prepared to follow through.
Step 4: Ask for a promotional rate. Even without cancelling, many ISPs will apply a 6–12 month promotional rate to retain you. Ask explicitly: “What can you offer me to stay?”
Step 5: Check for the CRTC Affordable Access program. Low-income households may qualify for subsidized internet through federal programs. Check with your provider or at crtc.gc.ca.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100 Mbps enough internet speed for most Canadian households? Yes, for most households. A 100 Mbps connection supports 4K streaming, video calls, gaming, and multiple devices simultaneously. Gigabit plans (1,000 Mbps) are useful for households with 8+ heavy users or if you frequently upload or download large files for work.
Why is internet so expensive in Canada? Canada has some of the highest internet prices in the OECD. The primary reasons are limited competition (Bell, Rogers, Telus dominate infrastructure), geography (vast distances, low population density outside cities), and regulatory history that protected incumbents. The CRTC has mandated wholesale access for small ISPs, creating some price competition — hence lower prices from TekSavvy, Oxio, etc.
Are budget ISPs like TekSavvy reliable? Generally yes. Budget ISPs (MVNOs on internet) lease capacity from the large incumbents (Bell, Rogers, Videotron) and typically offer equivalent speeds and reliability at lower prices. The trade-off is customer service response times — smaller ISPs may have longer hold times for technical support than the big telecoms.