Ottawa—the nation’s capital—has plenty of options for intertnet coverage. However, what neighbourhood you live in can severely limit your options for home internet service.
What's happening
WhistleOut Canada watches for trends in the internet industry. Here's what's going on this month:
- We've updated our list of the best internet providers in Canada, including several hot deals on high-speed plans.
- Starlink is now available in most of Canada, making their satellite internet service an enticing option for remote areas.
- We’ve got our eyes on the best cheap internet plans and the best internet plans for students.
Internet connection types in Ottawa
Connection type | Number of plans | Starting price | Top speed |
---|---|---|---|
Cable | 58 | $25/month | 1.5Gbps |
Fibre | 25 | $40/month | 8Gbps |
DSL | 8 | $24.95/month |
50Mbps |
Top 3 internet service providers in Ottawa
Bell
- Up to 8Gbps speeds
- No contract needed
- TV and home phone bundling available
Bell gets top marks in most of Ontario because of reliable service and fast download speeds up to 8Gbps, which is the fastest internet speed available in Canada. Bell has plenty of other slower, and cheaper, plans available for households that are looking for more basic connectivity.
TekSavvy
- Up to 3Gbps speeds
- No contract required
- TV and home phone bundling available
TekSavvy offers 3Gbps download speeds to more addresses in Ottawa—and a lower monthly rate—than Bell. You can save even more when you opt for a slower plan. We recommend 300Mbps or 500Mbps for the best value, or you can choose a DSL connection to get the same reliability from Bell without the high monthly fees. TekSavvy also offers live TV services, so changing internet providers doesn't mean you have to cut the cable.
oxio
- Up to 1Gbps speeds
- No activation, installation, or modem fee
- No contract required
If you’re a Canadian looking for a new internet plan, it’s probably because you want a cheaper monthly bill. Our recommendation for a low-cost alternative in Ottawa is oxio. This independent internet provider keeps costs low and passes those savings onto its customers. The provider performed well in our service review, with high marks for its affordable plans and customer-first ethos.
All of oxio's plans include unlimited internet and the popular eero 6 Wi-Fi router, making this one of the best value plans on the market. We recommend the Internet 75 plan, which is perfect for a household looking for basic internet.
Popular Ottawa internet plans
Fastest internet providers in Ottawa
The home internet landscape in Ottawa is diverse: some areas allow for speeds up to 8Gbps while others max out at 100Mbps in older neighbourhoods. The choice of internet providers is equally diverse, with third-party providers help drive down the prices of Ottawa’s fastest internet options.
Bell
- Fastest available plan speeds: 8Gbps, 3Gbps, 1.5Gbps
- Fastest connection types: Fibre
There is no faster internet connection than the Bell Fibe 8.0 plan available in Ottawa and Gatineau. Customers receive 8Gbps download speeds and unlimited data.
TekSavvy
- Fastest available plan speeds: 3Gbps, 1024Mbps, 1Gbps
- Fastest connection types: Fibre, cable
TekSavvy succeeds in coverage where Bell falters. Most residents can access reliable high-speed internet from TekSavvy, whether they are in Ottawa or Gatineau. TekSavvy doesn’t offer fibre-optic internet in the Ottawa region, but cable internet download speeds reach 1Gbps in Ottawa using access to the Rogers network.
Rogers
- Fastest available plan speeds: 1.5Gbps, 500Mbps, 150Mbps
- Fastest connection types: Cable
Rogers has the best balance of speed and coverage in Ottawa but is also one of the most expensive. Bundle your internet plan with cable TV, phone, and Rogers Smart Home Monitoring to have all your monthly services on one bill (while saving some money too).
Distributel
- Fastest available plan speeds: 1Gbps, 500Mbps, 300Mbps
- Fastest connection types: Cable
Distributel has a great reputation for reliability and service. As a third-party provider, it taps into existing telecommunications infrastructure to reach your home. All plan options include adequate download and upload speeds, free installation, and discounted rates for six months when you sign a one-year contract. Live TV streaming is also available as an additional service. You can connect to the internet with Distributel at a fraction of the rate you’d pay a major internet provider.
Diallog
- Fastest available plan speeds: 1Gbps, 500Mbps, 75Mbps
- Fastest connection types: Cable
It's tempting to reach for the big names, but some of the best internet providers in Ottawa are some of the lesser known companies. Diallog did well in our service review, due mainly to their emphasis on cheap high-speed internet for everyday users. The low price of high-speed options like their Gigabit plan places them among the best internet providers in Ottawa.
VMedia
- Fastest available plan speeds: 1024Mbps, 500Mbps, 300Mbps
- Fastest connection types: Cable
If you’re hesitant about switching away from Rogers or Bell because you don’t want to lose your cable TV services, then we recommend taking a closer look at VMedia. With an Apple TV, Fire TV, or Roku stick on each television in your home, VMedia delivers complete TV packages to every screen, big or small. You still get access to network channels—like CBC, CTV, and Global—and specialty channels, including 24-hour news, sports, and movies. Home internet plans with VMedia may cost more than other discount ISPs, but it’s still good value.
Best internet providers in Ottawa: FAQs
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Internet Providers by Provinces and Territories
- Internet in Alberta
- Internet in British Columbia
- Internet in Manitoba
- Internet in New Brunswick
- Internet in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Internet in Northwest Territories
- Internet in Nova Scotia
- Internet in Nunavut
- Internet in Ontario
- Internet in Prince Edward Island
- Internet in Quebec
- Internet in Saskatchewan
- Internet in Yukon Territory