How to Transfer Internet When Moving in Canada

By Kevin Kearney

Last updated 30 November 2023

Contents

In this guide:

How to transfer your internet when moving
Frequently asked questions

Transferring your internet service when moving is easier than it sounds: all it takes is some careful planning. Things can get a bit more complicated in Canada, thanks to so many province-specific internet service providers, but if you have a plan of attack, setting up the internet and Wi-Fi at your new house is a rather painless exercise.

We've compiled a step-by-step guide for transferring your internet service to a new address so you've got one less thing to worry about when moving into your new home.

How to transfer your internet when moving in Canada

At a glance, here are the four steps you need to check off when transferring your internet to a new address.

Tell your internet service provider (ISP) you're moving.
Make sure your new house is covered by your ISP.
Schedule a date for your internet to be installed at your new address.
Bring your modem and router to your new home.
After set-up, conduct a speed test.

Now let’s break down each step to make sure it’s as easy as possible moving your internet to a new address.

1. Tell your ISP you're moving

The first step to moving your internet service is notifying your ISP. Here’s a list of the contact information for the most popular internet service providers:

Internet provider contact information

Service provider	Contact info
Altima	+1 (514) 800-2266
Bell	+1 (844) 310-7873
oxio	+1 (581) 703-7550 [text only]
Rogers	+1 (888) 764-3771
SaskTel	+1 (800) 727-5835
Shaw	+1 (888) 472-2222
TekSavvy	+1 (877) 779-1575
Telus	+1 (888) 811-2323
Videotron	+1 (514) 380-7000
VMedia	AB, BC, MT, SK: +1 (844) 872-8269 NB, NL, NT, NS, NU, ON, PE, QC, YT: 1 +1 (855) 333-8269

You’ll want to contact your ISP as soon as possible to make sure you get the installation appointment you want. You can either call your ISP directly and chat with a customer service rep to get the process started, or you can access your online account and start your internet transfer there.

2. Make sure your new house is covered by your ISP

The internet service available for your new address depends on where you're moving. Like Canadian cellular networks, ISPs serve specific provinces and locations, so you'll need to check if your internet provider operates in your new neighborhood. If you’re moving down the street or even to the next city over, there’s a good chance your ISP will transfer without a problem—but that might not be the case if you move to a new province.

Here’s an overview of the provinces covered by each ISP:

Internet provider availability

Provider	Regional/provincial availability
Bell	Ontario, Quebec
Cogeco	Ontario, Quebec
oxio	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Rogers	Ontario
Shaw	Alberta, British Columbia
TekSavvy	Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario
Telus	Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec
Videotron	Quebec
VMedia	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan

If you’re unsure whether your ISP provides service in your new neighborhood, then the easiest way to find out for sure is to contact a customer service representative.

What should I do if my ISP doesn’t service my new address?

If that’s the case, it’s time to shop for a new internet plan! Enter your new address into our address lookup tool to see all the internet service providers available in your neighborhood. You can compare services in your area, check if there are any internet deals, see which type of internet is available, and choose a new service.

Here’s a list of the most popular internet plans in the country right now:

#1	Diallog	Diallog Plus Cable 75/10 Mbps $25/mo Go	$25/mo	Go
#2	Bell	Bell Wireless Home Internet 25 Fixed Wireless 25/5 Mbps $50/mo Go	$50/mo	Go
#3	oxio	oxio 15 Mbps Cable 15/2 Mbps $35/mo Go	$35/mo	Go
#4	VMedia	VMedia Internet 25 Cable 25/2.5 Mbps Deal: FREE modem rental included $34.95/mo Go	$34.95/mo	Go
#5	TekSavvy	TekSavvy 15 Mbps Unlimited ADSL2+ 24/1 Mbps $49.95/mo Go	$49.95/mo	Go

Check out our guide for the best cheap internet plans to get an idea of the best internet deals available right now.

3. Schedule a date for installation at your new address

Once you’ve decided on transferring your current internet or switching to a new internet provider, you’ll want to schedule an installation date as close to your move as possible. If you’re moving to a previously owned home with an internet connection, it should be relatively easy for a technician to activate your Wi-Fi connection.

Activating your internet in a newly built home can potentially be much more complicated. Before an internet technician can set up service, the home needs to be properly wired with cable or fibre internet. Make sure to ask your home builder about the internet wiring in your new home.

4. Bring your modem and router to your new home

If you are transferring your internet to a new location, make sure to bring your router and modem with you when you move. Moving your router is as easy as unplugging the device and putting it in a box. As for the modem, make sure to let your ISP know you’re taking the device with you, or the modem might not work at your new location.

5. After set-up, conduct a speed test

Once you’ve got your internet connection set up, run a quick speed test to make sure you get the internet speeds you pay for. If your internet speeds are much slower than advertised, it might be time to switch to a different internet provider.

How to transfer your internet when moving in Canada: FAQs

Can I move my Wi-fi router to my new home?

Yes, you can and should move your Wi-Fi router to your new home. You can unplug your router in one house and plug it back in at another house. You don’t need a professional installation to move a router, you just need to make sure there’s an active internet connection in your new home.

How do I move my Wi-Fi router?

There are four steps to moving a Wi-Fi router:

Unplug your router and safely pack it up.
Plug your router in at your new location.
Sync your router with your internet connection.

Refer to your router instructions on how to sync the router to the home internet connection.

Can I move my internet modem to a new house?

Yes, you can move your internet modem to a new house. First, you need to authenticate the device with your internet provider. Make sure that your modem is compatible with your internet provider, and you can move your modem to a new location.

When should I set up internet when moving?

You can set up internet before you actually move by contacting your ISP and explainign you'd like to transfer service. If you're looking to use a new ISP, however, you'll need to be in the home to install your new internet. You can try asking the previous tenants or owners if you can activate your internet in advance, but you’ll most likely want to schedule the internet installation on your move-in day.