TELUS, Rogers, and Bell are undoubtedly among of the leading internet service providers (ISPs) in Canada. These telecommunications giants enjoy robust infrastructure so it’s not surprising that their quality is better than that of the smaller counterparts on many fronts. So which among them can be the best internet provider?
Local ISP vs Large ISP
In line with that, have you seen the unease that has been in the sector lately?
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has just instructed the large ISPs to allow access of their fiber network to the smaller players. This latest attempt by the smaller firms to level the playing ground is a clear indication of the disparity that continues to plague the Canadian market. Nevertheless, do the small firms have the qualities to match up with the incumbents? Whom would you choose between the two?
I’d suggest that we look at the following factors that are always on my table whenever I need to choose the best internet provider: Performance, price and customer support.
Performance
Everybody loves impressive connection speeds, but who is the best across the expanse of Canada? The answer is Bell Alliant, according to the PCMag Speed Index of 2015. Once again, it is clear that firms with the largest infrastructure will perform better in most cases.
Despite this fact, you can find minnows running the show in some places in Canada. For example, Beanfield Metroconnect, which is based in Toronto, offers a 500MBps for $100 per month. This is far better than what most of the bigger telecommunications firms offer. If you live in a small town, you might have enough reason to stay there longer: Affordable and superfast internet is here with us, and it is not even coming from the heavyweights.
Customer Support
There is no need of paying for a service if you can’t use it. When choosing a provider, crucial customer-centric factors include prompt and accurate response, flawless billing process and general customer care, at least according to me.
Bell and other big players often face the backlash of consumers for poor support. However, the entry of smaller players such as TekSavvy and Acanac may have offered some reprieve to customers like me.
I ditched Rogers two years ago because of poor response towards constant internet interruptions in Ontario. Yes, they finally fixed the errors but I had already switched to a smaller but more sensitive provider.
Price
When the ISPs perform the same on all the other factors, the cost of service becomes the deal breaker. Studies have shown that on average, the cost of internet in Canada is increasing. A review of rates at TELUS Internet, Rogers, and Teksavvy reveals that prices are indeed aboard a rocket.
Bell, Rogers and the rest of the big providers offer some of the best prices; they own the infrastructure anyway. However, third-party providers have found a way of offering equally exciting packages. For instance, Distributel offers unlimited downloads for all its packages.
Remember that if the recent directive by CRTC is implemented, the price of internet offered by small ISPs is likely to be more competitive.
Which one is better?
Both local and large providers can offer the quality you are looking for, but you may want to consider how these factors affect your experience and budget.
Good luck as you compare the options and choose. Compare large and smaller ISPs at Ratestead.ca.
