Best Internet Plans & Providers in Canada 2023

How to filter cheap internet plans in Canada

Providing Internet services has become a cutthroat industry. This is why providers have started offering packages at competitive prices. This means finding cheap internet plans in Canada today is not as challenging as before. Still, it pays to use resources to make comparisons, so you get the plan that fits your needs and suits your budget. Ratestead.ca is a leading resource you can use to compare internet providers and determine the best internet plan you can afford.

Determine how much speed you need

Many variables affect internet speed. The most obvious is the number of people using the network. Another factor is the number of devices connected at once. Also, think about how each user uses the internet (for example, social media vs. streaming vs. instant messaging). If you need the internet to check your emails now and again, you don’t need a lot of speed. The slowest speed available (10 Mbps) is more than enough for you to get it done. But if you’re an average internet user who’s constantly online, 10 Mbps is not enough. A study by the Federal Communications Commission shows that the average household consumes 39 Mbps. With this speed, everyone in the family can browse the internet, stream videos, do a bit of social media engagement, and play online games.

Look into getting enough data, too

You also need to assess how much data the household needs. From there, you can check out the different programs from various ISPs using this comparison tool. Data usage is measured in gigabytes (GB). When you use a computer, a laptop or a tablet, the data usage is pretty much the same on your phone. Most ISPs in Canada offer generous data allocation for internet usage. Some even provide unlimited data. If your household uses a high level of data (typically for streaming), it’s another consideration to factor in. Cheaper internet plans don’t usually provide free data services. As such, you need to think about the additional payment for this service. Can you cut back the streaming if you’re after a cheap internet plan? Will you reduce the data usage to get a more budget-friendly internet plan?

Internet services for cheap internet plans in Canada

Internet users today have an array of high-speed internet services at their disposal. The top services are:

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet Service
• Cable Internet
• Fiber Optic Internet
• Satellite Internet

Getting any of these services doesn’t have to break your wallet. Some ISPs in Canada offer budget-friendly plans with more than enough capacity for internet usage. Here’s a quick overview of the four primary Internet services to help you make a proper comparison.

DSL

The most popular internet service, DSL, operates using an analog telephone line. DSL users get access to bandwidth through the phone line to connect online. A DSL modem is needed for the connection. The ISP links to the internet using a DSLAM, an access multiplexer. DLS users can use the telephone and the internet simultaneously since the former only needs a little bandwidth. Its main advantage is its capacity to provide fast internet speed to several DSL modems in one area. It’s the only one of four services that always provides fast internet service. Its downside is the distance. If the nearest ISP tower is far from your home, the quality of the connection may degrade. Thus, you must check the status of the ISPs near your area. How is their DSL connection in your neighbourhood? An ISP can provide you with cheaper plans, but if the connection is crummy, then you lose in the end.

Cable Internet

As the name implies, a cable internet service is provided by cable companies. The internet plan is usually bundled with a television service. The internet connection is linked via a cable modem, which gets bandwidth from cable channels. If you already have a cable TV, adding cable internet service to your plan can be your gateway to get cheaper internet plans. The cable company needs to link the Internet service to your current cable plan. At times, paying for an entire bundle is more economical than paying for two separate services. This internet service suits users who already have a cable account. The downside is that users who live in a neighbourhood using the same cable connection may experience slower internet speed. This applies in particular if multiple users stream different videos simultaneously.

Fiber Optic Internet

Today, among the most advanced internet services is the fiber optic internet service. Again, as the name implies, the service uses a fiber-optic network to provide an internet connection. Apart from the Internet service, it also offers telephone and television plans. It’s pretty much like a cable internet service, but edgier and more advanced. It also can offer faster internet speeds. Its main downside is that it is only available in specific areas.

Satellite Internet

The web connection offered in a satellite service comes from a satellite dish. When turned on, the satellite generates frequencies to the dish. These radars are then conducted to the modem. This is the transmission that enables users to go online. A satellite internet service is ideal for users who live in remote areas. There are still rural places in Canada where telephone and cable lines are non-existent or can handle limited data. For remote sites that offer phone and cable internet services, it’s almost always guaranteed that the connection is mediocre at best. If you opt for this service, you need to acquire an equator-facing satellite dish.

Comparing features to find cheap internet plans in Canada

It would help if you considered your area when choosing internet plans. Some ISPs provide better service in various places in Canada. When you have these details to evaluate the kind of internet service you need, it’s time to compare. Ratestead.ca is a site that can help you with this step. It presents ISPs and their extensive plans so you can assess which one fits your needs and budget. Enter the ZIP code in the site’s search tool to make the process fast and easy.