How to Choose the Right Internet Provider for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Canadians

Right Internet Provider for Your Home
Calender Icon Jun 10 2023

There’s no question that you need—and deserve—nothing but the best, cheapest internet anywhere in Canada. And while there are tons of speeds, plans, bundles, deals, and more available, there’s one surefire way to get it: with the best internet provider. Choosing the right internet provider in Canada makes this all possible—from staying online 24/7 to working from home, streaming, gaming, and more.

So, are you getting the best deal for home internet? Even if you’re paying premium prices for the fastest speed available, it doesn’t 100% guarantee the best experience. The fact is, lots of internet providers in Canada advertise quickly skyrocketing speeds and encourage customers to keep upgrading their subscription. But speed is just one of many factors to consider when shopping around for the best and cheapest internet plan.

Lucky for you, we did our homework, so you can skip over to the good part. We compiled this complete guide to choosing the best internet provider in Canada, so you can get the fastest and cheapest internet. Let’s break down every factor to consider, and see how the most reliable providers like Comwave deliver.

First Things First: Do a Speed Test

Is your current internet provider meeting your needs and expectations? If you’re paying for top speeds but are still experiencing buffering video, lags, and slow loading times, it pays to verify the numbers because they don’t lie.

A speed test tells you how fast your connection actually is, allowing you to compare the numbers with what you’re paying for. And while there’s typically a bit of a difference due to the network traffic and where you live, a consistently big gap is a good indicator of the value you’re getting—and that it’s time to look for another provider.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Provider

So, are you ready to upgrade your connection with the best internet provider in Canada? Take a look at these factors to consider, including your connectivity needs, your devices and everyone at home, your location, and your budget.

Let’s get started.

1. Speed

This is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you’re looking for the best internet, and you’re right to focus on it. Everything you do online requires a certain speed so it runs smoothly and without delays. 

Not sure how fast your internet speed should be? Let’s put things into perspective. For example, sending an email requires much less bandwidth than streaming or gaming. This means, if you stream or play a lot, work from home, stay active on social media, and more you’ll want a speed that can handle all your needs, from work to play.

Pro Tip: Pay Attention to Download vs. Upload Speeds

When choosing the best internet speed, pay attention to the two types: download and upload speeds:

    • Download speeds are typically much higher and more advertised. These speeds are responsible for anything that requires you to access content, such as getting an email, streaming video or music, or downloading a file from an online source.
    • Upload speeds are typically lower. This means it takes longer and requires more bandwidth to send data over the internet. This includes posting on social media, uploading content, or sending files online.

For the best experience, look over plans in detail to compare download and upload speeds, and choose one that offers a balance of both.

2. Number of people and devices

A major factor that determines the quality of your internet connection is the number of people using it and the devices connected to the network. More people and devices on an already subpar speed means you’re bound to experience delays.

The solution? Get a full picture of your entire household’s connectivity needs:

  • Count everyone at home and the number of devices you all have that are connected to the internet. These include smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles, and even smart home devices like voice assistants and appliances.
  • Find out what everyone does online on a regular basis.
  • Find out how much time each person spends online everyday.

Combined, these should give you a good idea about the actual internet speed you need at home. By considering all of these factors, you can find a provider that offers the best internet speed for everyone at home and everything you do, at the cheapest prices and best value overall.

3. Connection type

One factor that often goes overlooked these days is the type of internet connection you want to get. Keep in mind that not all connections are the same. Each one has its advantages and weaknesses, and typically comes at varying price points.

For example, fibre internet is currently the fastest type of internet connection in Canada. Fibre is a technology that mirrors downloads and uploads, essentially allowing them to have the same speed for smooth simultaneous usage. But because it’s relatively new, developing the infrastructure required to support it is ongoing work. This means fibre is not yet available in every part of Canada.

So, what do you do? Find out the fastest connection type that’s available in your area. If fibre isn’t available yet or isn’t what you need, you can look at DSL, cable, and satellite. Here’s a quick summary of the maximum speed per connection type:

  • Fibre: 1,500 Mbps (1.5 Gbps)
  • Cable: 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) but much slower upload speeds
  • DSL: 50 Mbps or less
  • Satellite: 12–100 Mbps

4. Price and budget

And last but certainly not the least, set a budget. Canada is known for having some of the highest costs for home internet, so it’s important to choose a provider that helps you maximize every dollar and provides your money’s worth.

To start, think about how much you can and want to spend to get the best internet service. Do you need fibre internet, or do you live alone and don’t do a lot of high-bandwidth activities all at once? It’s important to be realistic about your connectivity needs, but equally so to not be pressured to get a pricey upgrade you don’t need. For the best experience, choose an internet provider that offers the fastest speeds, at the most affordable prices.

Get the Best, Cheapest Internet in Canada

So, are you ready to start your search and compare internet providers across Canada? There’s certainly a lot to consider. The good news is, Comwave is here to help. We use the same guide to helping you find the best internet plan for your needs and budget. Our goal is to get you, all of your devices, and everyone at home online reliably, at the best value. From finding the best speed to meeting everyone’s needs and delivering the most advanced connection types, Comwave is the internet provider you can trust anywhere in Canada.

Are you ready to upgrade to the best but cheapest internet? Discover the widest range of internet plans from Comwave, Canada’s trusted internet provider.

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