The Top Things to Look for When Choosing an Internet Provider in Canada

Sep 5 2023

Factors to Consider When Signing Up With a New Interview Provider

Choosing a new internet provider has become one of the most important decisions you can make for your home. Reliable internet is an essential part of everyday life, and having the right internet provider gives you the freedom to work from home without connectivity issues or have a family movie night uninterrupted. It also means affordable, flexible plans and living life free from worries about network outages. 

However, finding a provider that offers these things can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. In this article, we will go over certain factors you should always look for in an internet provider so you can make the best, most well-informed decision. 

Service In Your Area

If you live in a large city, finding an affordable internet provider with great speeds that services your area shouldn’t be too difficult. However, if you live in a more rural or suburban area outside of a major city, you’ll need to find an internet provider that offers coverage in your area, which can sometimes be a challenge.

Good Value

It’s a well-known fact that Canada has some of the highest internet prices in the world, so look for a provider that not only offers the cheapest internet but also the best value. The best way to determine this is by looking at the speed and allowed usage compared to the price. 

Reviews

When looking for a new internet provider, always do your research and read lots of positive and negative reviews before signing a contract. Doing this is the best way to learn about other users’ first-hand experience with a specific provider and find out whether they provide slow, unreliable service or poor customer service (more on that below).

Great Customer Service

Whether you’re in the middle of your favourite show or an important meeting with your boss, when your internet goes down, you’re going to want immediate assistance and a quick resolution. For this reason, having an internet provider with exceptional customer service is an absolute must. Look for a provider that offers multiple contact channels such as phone and email so that you have options when you need to reach them. Also, when reading reviews, look out for reviews that touch on the strength of a providers’ customer service.

Contract Terms

Most internet providers will require you to sign a contract when signing on with them. However, it’s crucial that you carefully review any contract before you sign it and look out for the following:

• Contract Length – Ensure that the contract length suits your needs and budget. Look for a month-to-month contract or an agreement that offers significant incentives for a longer-term commitment.
• Flexibility – Make sure the terms of your contract are flexible and enable you to make changes or cancel your service anytime.
• Add-On Charges – Read through your contract thoroughly to see if there are any additional monthly or one-time charges you weren’t aware of. 
• Usage Limits – If an internet plan has a data cap or usage limit, read the contract carefully to make sure that the terms and consequences of exceeding the limit are reasonable and clearly defined. Ideally, you can avoid an internet service provider with internet usage limits in place.
• Relocation Clause: If you are planning to move in the near future, check your contract to make sure that you will be able to stay with the same internet plan and provider.

Reliability

For many people, internet connectivity issues can be a crisis scenario, so look for a provider that has a history of being reliable. This means very few outages and quick resolutions in the event that they do occur. Also, ask about the age and condition of a provider’s infrastructure, as this is a strong indication of how reliable their internet will be. 

History

Do extensive research into a provider’s history and reputation. Specifically look into how long they’ve been in business and whether they have a history with lawsuits or complaints from customers.

High Speeds 

Whether you work remotely, you consume a lot of streaming content, or have a large family, having high-speed internet is essential, so look for a provider that can meet your specific needs. 

Here are a few questions you can ask to help you determine whether the speed offered by a specific provider will work for you:

• How many devices can be used at the same time?
• Can I stream while also using the internet for other purposes?
• How fast will I be able to load shows and movies?
• How fast will I be able to download?

Combined Services

Internet and TV plans are a great way to get two amazing services at a discounted price, saving you hundreds of dollars every year. This is also incredibly convenient, as you only get one bill each month.  

How Comwave Surpasses Other Canadian Internet Providers

Comwave is Canada’s largest independent internet provider, offering reliable and highly affordable home internet you can depend on delivered with outstanding customer service.

Comwave has some of the fastest Internet and Wi-Fi coverage at the best prices across Canada.  Don’t believe us? See for yourself by reading some of the 3,000+ positive reviews from happy customers.

Visit our website to learn more about our internet packages, TV packages and internet and TV bundles and find a package that best suits your needs and lifestyle.