In this day and age, access to the internet has become one of the basic needs, from exchanging work files to communicating with a distant loved one. We even owe it to the Internet that you’re reading this article right now!
While you already have access to the internet, you may still have issues if you still don’t have the best internet service in Calgary. Lucky for you because this article has everything about internet services, including the best internet service providers (ISPs), FAQs, and a guide to choosing the best ISP.
Table of Contents
The Best ISPs in Calgary Compared
| ISP | Upload Speed | Download Speed | Price Range (per month) |
| Shaw | Min: 1Mbps Max: 100Mbps | Min: 300Mbps Max: 1.5Gbps | $50–$175 |
| Telus | Min: 75Mbps Max: 1.5Gbps | Min: 75 Mbps Max: 950 Mbps | $85–$155 |
| Teksavvy | Min: 0.5Mbps Max: 20Mbps | Min: 5Mbps Max: 750Mbps | $38.95–$122.95 |
| Bell | Min: 1Mbps Max: 940Gbps | Min: 10Mbps Max: 1.5Gbps | $49.95–$129.95 |
| Distributel | Min: 0.5Mbps Max: 20 Mbps | Min: 5Mbps Max: 300Mbps | $39.95–$104.95 |
The Best Internet Service Providers in Calgary
Now, let’s make your used-up data worthwhile. Here’s a list of the best ISPs in Calgary according to the quality and accessibility of their internet service and customer service.
1. Shaw
| SERVICES | Fibre Internet, mobile and LTE, cable TV |
| PRICING (WITH RESPECTIVE DOWNLOAD SPEEDS) | 10Mbps: $50/month 25Mbps: $80/month 75Mbps: $85/month 150Mbps: $95/month 300Mbps: $100/month 750Mbps: $110/month 1Gbps: $115/month 1.5Gbps: $165/month +$10/month for month-to-month payments |
| WEBSITE | https://www.shaw.ca/Internet |
| ADDRESS | 630 3 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4L4 Other locations: https://www.shaw.ca/contact-us/retail/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (888) 472-2222 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
As one of the leading ISPs in Western Canada, Shaw boasts of its next-generation WiFi 6 technology. Shaw’s latest WiFi unit features 8 antennas equally divided between 2.4 GHz and 5GHz connections, 4 ethernet ports for up to 2Gbps speed, and a sleek design.
Shaw also offers the Fibre + WiFi pod, an intuitive device that adapts to your home’s layout. This device thus creates a mesh WiFi, so that you can say goodbye to laggy internet and dead spots in your house.
We also like that Shaw’s WiFi units are compatible with its Shaw Home app. With WiFi management in your smart home controls, you can block harmful sites, apps, and keep screen times in check.
Shaw has three Internet plans, the Fibre+ Basics, Fibre+ Essentials, and Fibre+ Max. The Fibre+ Max plans are among the most expensive as they also come with WiFi pods and WiFi management.
Only the Fibre+ Max and the Fibre+ Essentials plans with a minimum of 150Mbps download speed have unlimited data usage. So, if you want unlimited internet access, prepare to pay more.
Luckily, all these plans are available for purchase via the 2-year value plan or the no-commitment month-to-month payment scheme.
If you find its internet plans suitable for your household or office, just hope that Shaw’s fibre optic lines run around your neighbourhood. Else, you won’t be able to avail of their services.
Pros
- WiFi 6 technology
- Fibre+ Pod for mesh WiFi phenomenon
- Option for month-to-month payment
- Up to 1.5Gbps download speeds
- WiFi management feature
Cons
- Limited to fibre optic connection
- Unlimited plans only for 150Mbps and up
- Some complaints about poor customer services
Customer Reviews
Here are some customer reviews to tell you more about Shaw’s quality of internet services:
“Always a good experience. We have been with Shaw Communication since 2004, and have never had any problem. Their service techs are friendly, knowledgeable, and above all…on time. Concerns regarding price are dealt with promptly, and generally adjusted to our satisfaction. Counter staff will suggest alternatives, and offer discounts wherever possible.”
“I renewed my contract i was paying 115 a month and i was contacted and offered a value plan. Same plan only 40 cheaper. They actually want me to save money 5 stars”
“Shaw has the fastest internet. That is all.”
2. Telus
| BEST FOR | Fast Internet speeds |
| SERVICES | PureFibre Internet, TV bundles, home phones, security systems |
| PRICING (WITH RESPECTIVE DOWNLOAD SPEEDS) | 2-year plan 75 Mbps: $85/month 940Mbps: $99/month 1.5Gbps: $119/month Month-to-month: 75 Mbps: $100/month 940Mbps: $135/month 1.5Gbps: $155/month |
| WEBSITE | https://www.telus.com/en/Internet |
| ADDRESS | 100 Anderson Rd SE Unit 38, Calgary, AB T2J 3V1 Other locations: https://stores.telus.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 278-3686 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 24/7 customer support |
If you want nothing less than the fastest internet in Canada, then Telus should be your pick. This ISP is well-known for supplying fast and reliable internet to Western Canada, all thanks to its commitment to direct fibre optic connections.
Unlike other ISPs that only have fast download rates but rather slow upload rates, Telus guarantees all-around high speeds. We say this because it has can reach up to 1.5Gbps for download and 950Mbps for uploads.
Telus also delivers the best internet services in Calgary not only for speed but also for overall convenience. We say this because in addition to its speedy internet services, Telus also provides unlimited data.
It already guarantees unlimited and fast internet for all of its customers, but Telus still gives 24/7 support to cater to any issues its customers may have.
But since it only has fibre optic connections, Telus also offers only ultra-high-speed plans, with the exception of its 75 Mbps plan. While not everyone may need this download and upload speed, Telus’s plans are still commendable for their affordability.
Since it connects fibre optic lines directly per customer, Telus only offers virtual and in-person installations. The waiting period for such installations can last for 1-2 weeks.
Now, if you still feel skeptical, don’t just take our word for it. You can instead try out Telus’s quality of Internet services by signing up for a trial period as it offers a 30-day moneyback guarantee.
Pros
- Direct fibre optic lines per customer
- Fastest available download and upload speeds
- 24/7 customer services
- 30-day moneyback guarantee
- Option for month-to-month payment
Cons
- Only three internet plans are available
- 1-2 weeks of waiting period for installation
- Some complaints about poor communications
Customer Reviews
Read these reviews to learn more about Telus’s Internet services:
“1. Alex added a phone to our family plan within our budget. Easy. 2. He figured out that our fast Internet installed early this year hadn’t been activated yet. Faster Internet! We cheered. 3. Telus provides nature TV. We enjoyed watching a-snake-swallow-a-rat with you Alex. Truly a pleasure, which in this industry is truly a gift.”
“Excellent service with Bert. Very proactive and made sure that I was offered the best deals suited for my needs. Application for my mobility account was handled very smoothly. Great experience indeed.”
3. Teksavvy
| SERVICES | High-speed DSL Internet, cable Internet and TV |
| PRICING (WITH RESPECTIVE DOWNLOAD SPEEDS) | Cable 5Mbps: $38.95/month DSL 6Mbps: $44.95/month DSL 15Mbps: $49.95/month DSL 25 Mbps: $62.95/month Cable 30Mbps: $57.95/month DSL 50Mbps: $67.95/month Cable 60Mbps: $67.95/month Cable 150Mbps: $82.95/month Cable 750Mbps: $122.95/month |
| WEBSITE | https://www.teksavvy.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (877) 779-1575 |
| OPERATING HOURS | 24/7 customer service |
Most Calgarians already have telephone and TV cables, which is why DSL and cable internet may be the most accessible internet connections. If this is the type of internet you want, then Teksavvy should be your pick.
Teksavvy is an ISP well-known across Canadian cities and rural areas alike. It offers three internet packages, the Good Internet Plan, Better Internet Plan, and the Best Internet Plan.
Given that it only offers satellite, DSL, and cable internet, Teksavvy doesn’t really provide the fastest internet speeds. Still, it provides unlimited data usage for all its customers.
It only has a maximum download speed of 750Mbps with a 20Mbps upload speed. This plan may be enough only for a small family that plays games and watches movies occasionally but doesn’t send big files or documents online.
But what it lacks in Internet speed, Teksavvy makes up for its Internet services’ reliability and accessibility. Teksavvy even has a 24/7 customer support hotline to address internet problems as quickly as possible.
Aside from being reliable and accessible, Teksavvy’s internet services are affordable. Thus, it’s perfect for families or individuals on low budgets.
Pros
- Wide variety of internet type options
- Unlimited data usage for all available plans
- Applicable for budget-constrained households
- Practical for households with low internet usage
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Low upload speeds
- No office in Calgary for immediate tech support
Customer Reviews
Among its many good qualities, Teksavvy is well-known for its excellent communications and customer service. Here are the reviews that said so:
“The company is good at communicating to all customers that there will be a disruption in advance. I have never had problems reaching support. I recommend asking support to contact you, rather than calling in and perhaps waiting on hold for eons.”
“The customer support at TekSavvy is knowledgeable and thorough. Internet outages are uncommon. Speeds are consistent and aligned with their advertised speeds. Monthly bills are laid out clearly and explained concisely, allowing the customer to see exactly how their monthly bill is calculated.”
4. Bell
| SERVICES | Fibre Internet, satellite TV, mobile phone plans |
| PRICING (WITH RESPECTIVE DOWNLOAD SPEEDS) | 10Mbps: start at $49.95/month 50Mbps: start at $84.95/month 150Mbps: start at $99.95/month 500Mbps: start at $109.95/month 1Gbbs: start at $119.95/month 1.5Gbps: start at $129.95/month |
| WEBSITE | https://www.bell.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 4600 130 Ave SE #614, Calgary, AB T2Z 0C2 Other locations: https://www.bell.ca/Store_Locator |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 726-9081 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Now, if you’re looking for the best Internet services in Calgary for your mobile, then you should at least consider Bell. This Canadian ISP has numerous types of internet connections, namely fibre optic, satellite, and mobile.
Thus, it can provide internet services with speeds as basic as 10Mbps and as fast as 1.5Gbps. For this reason, we suggest Bell for just about anyone who needs Internet connection.
All of these Internet plans, save for the low 10Mbps plan, come with unlimited data usage. So, you can browse, surf, and stream without limits with Bell internet.
To further improve connectivity to the internet, Bell does direct fibre installations and it also offers WiFi pods for an additional $10 a month. These WiFi pods utilize the 5Ghz frequency for fast data transmission in close quarters.
Bell also allows you to control your connectivity as it has the Bell app with a WiFi management feature.
Speaking of control, Bell also allows its customers to control their packages. We say this because this ISP offers Build-Your-Own-Bundle for those who want internet, mobile, and cable TV solutions.
Pros
- Wide variety of Internet plans and speeds
- 30-day plan for 10% off on regular rates
- WiFi management feature
- WiFi pods for fast internet speeds
- Most plans have unlimited data usage
- Customized bundles
Cons
- Complaints about poor in-store customer services
- 10Mbps plan has a 100GB data limit
- Live customer support is limited to chatting
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from customers who trust Bell to provide them with the best Internet services in Calgary:
“This Internet quality from this company is superior. My Internet is fast and reliable. When I need service they respond immediately to my concerns. As a senior who has limitations to getting out. I use the Internet to stay in touch with loved ones and do my online shopping.”
“Best company I switched to. They are really helpful, their service is really good across Canada and their plans are cheap and really effective.”
5. Distributel
| SERVICES | Cable and DSL Internet, digital home phone, TV plans |
| PRICING (WITH RESPECTIVE DOWNLOAD SPEEDS) | 5Mbps: $39.95/month 6Mbps: $39.95/month 15Mbps: $44.95/month 25Mbps: $49.95/month 50Mbps: $59.95/month 75Mbps: $44.95/month 150Mbps: $54.95/month 300Mbps: $104.95/month |
| WEBSITE | https://www.distributel.ca/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (877) 810-2877 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 24/7 help centre support |
Distributel is yet another ISP for those who only need Internet services in Calgary for basic services. This ISP’s plans range from 5Mbps to 300Mbps of download speed, all thanks to its use of cable and DSL Internet.
Its basic package offers 5Mbps download speed and 0.5MBps, sufficient enough for casual surfing and email sending. Distributel also has Internet plans for those who enjoy online gaming, the Internet 300 Unlimited, which has 300Mbps download speed and 20Mbps upload speed.
However, these upload and download speeds are still in the lower range when compared to other plans. So, if you have a big household, with each family member in need of streaming and uploading, Distributel’s Internet plans may be insufficient for you.
Luckily, all of its Internet plans come with unlimited data usage, so you won’t have to worry about data caps when you play or stream. More than this, Distributel provides a free home phone device for 6 months as a bonus to those availing of its Internet services.
Distributel offers two options for installation, one that requires technicians and one that doesn’t.
To help even those who choose to have self installations, Distributel has a 24/7 customer support Centre. So, even if Distributel doesn’t have an office in Calgary, you can still rely on this ISP to resolve your Internet issues.
Pros
- Wide variety of Internet plans
- Unlimited data for all Internet plans
- 24/7 customer support
- Suitable for budget-constrained households
- Free home phone for 6 months
Cons
- Limited to the lower range of data plans
- No office in Calgary
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews to help you learn more about Distributel’s services:
“After 4-5 years of service from Distributel, I’m quite satisfied. My plan is about $35/month for 3MBps/0.25KBs, basic speed, the cheapest plan they have, however it has filled my needs surprisingly well. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars after switching from Rogers from the lower monthly fees and unlimited download usage.”
“Was with Distributel for 11 years and not once did they steer me wrong. They always made sure if i had an issue it was fixed or compensated for in a timely manner.”
Choosing the Best ISP for You
Before you proceed to our list of the best ISPs, make sure you know what you’re looking for. Here are some key points to remember when choosing the perfect ISP for your Internet needs:
1. Customer service
Find an ISP with whom you can communicate transparently. An ISP should also be readily helpful and accountable should there be any problems.
Customer service is especially helpful when you’re going for self-installation of your Internet connection.
2. Prices
Make sure their prices are fit for your budget. You should also check for additional fees such as installation and modem rental charges
3. Payment schemes
After checking the prices, you should also choose a type of payment scheme.
If you choose the usual 2-year plan, you’ll have to pay the fee monthly until the lock-up period. Should you wish to switch to a different provider, your previous ISP will charge you a cancellation fee, which often depends on your remaining payment.
Otherwise, you can consider the month-to-month payment scheme. This will be costlier but will allow freedom of cancelling your plan anytime.
4. Speed and data cap
You should also know which plan to choose. Most Internet plans are classified according to download and upload speeds.
To help you decide which plans to get, here are online tasks and the minimum download speed needed for each:
- 2-5Mbps: Emails, file sharing, simple browsing
- 5-10Mbps: Skype calls, social media, video streams on a few HD devices
- 10-15Mbps: Online gaming
- Above 15Mbps: Zoom calls, video streams on multiple devices, large file downloads
Know that most of these estimates are for a single device only. So, aside from online tasks, you should also consider the size of your household or office.
You’ll need at least 15-25Mbps for family usage and at least 100Mbps for establishments with more than ten users.
Also, carefully browse through your ISP’s pricing and inspect if there are any data caps to the plan you’re about to get. As much as possible, try to get plans with unlimited usage.
5. Availability
If you have telephone or cable lines at home, cable and DSL Internet are probably available in your area. However, if you’re looking for faster Internet, you should find ISPs with fibre optics… assuming they’re available.
FAQs on Calgary ISPs and Internet in General
And that concludes our list of the providers of the best Internet services in Calgary! Now, all you need to do is set a budget and a rough estimate on your needed Internet speed and consumption.
Do you think we missed any other ISPs worth mentioning on this best of Calgary list? If so, feel free to share with us your recommendations. We’ll also be honoured to hear about your feedback regarding our listed ISPs.
While you’re waiting for your Internet installation, you can spend your time in the best coworking spaces in Calgary to get some work done. These spaces will not just give you fast and reliable WiFi, but also immerse you in a productive environment.
