Compare internet plans using the whole bill, not the opening price

Collect the same information for both plans

For each offer, record the promotional monthly price, how long it lasts, the price after it ends, and any separate equipment or setup charges. Note credits, their eligibility conditions and when they arrive. Confirm availability for your exact address rather than assuming a national advertisement applies to your building.

Use a consistent tax basis and currency. A before-tax quote and a tax-included bill need adjustment before comparison. Check whether a discount depends on another service, automatic payments or a particular account type. If the condition does not apply to you, the displayed discount should not appear in your calculation.

Compare the same number of months

An illustrative Plan A costs C$50 monthly for six months, then C$80 monthly, with C$60 setup. Plan B costs C$65 monthly throughout the comparison and has no setup charge. Over twelve months, A totals C$840 while B totals C$780. B is C$60 lower in this example despite its higher opening price.

Over twenty-four months, A totals C$1,800 and B totals C$1,560, a C$240 difference. These figures assume the stated prices remain unchanged, all charges are included as described, and there are no additional credits or taxes. They illustrate why the chosen time period matters; they are not forecasts of available deals.

Keep equipment, credits and switching costs visible

A separate C$10 monthly equipment charge adds C$240 over twenty-four months. A C$100 one-time credit subtracts C$100 only if you qualify and it is actually applied. Use separate lines for these items so that a low advertised base price does not conceal them.

When moving from an existing service, check its actual end date, any applicable remaining commitment, equipment-return requirements and possible overlap between bills. Add costs that the comparison tool does not model. A mathematically lower total is not complete if an omitted condition materially changes what you will pay.

Distinguish a fixed discount from a fixed price

Competition Bureau guidance notes that a recurring discount and a guaranteed total price can be different arrangements. Ask what is fixed, what can change, and which written terms govern the offer. Do not assume a future call will automatically renew today’s promotion.

Keep a copy of the quote and service agreement, including the promotion’s expiry date and later amount. The CRTC’s Internet Code explains the contract information required for providers within its scope. For a specific dispute or contractual entitlement, consult the applicable official guidance rather than treating a calculator as an interpretation of the agreement.

Choose performance around simultaneous tasks

List what happens at the same time: video calls, television streams, uploads and large downloads. Consider upload as well as download capacity. A connection that downloads quickly can still be inconvenient for frequent large cloud backups if its upload rate is much lower.

Use the relevant application’s official guidance as a starting point, then leave room for other activity. Netflix’s current recommendation for one 1080p stream is a stable 5 Mbps or higher. Two such streams suggest at least twice that application-specific baseline before other uses, but do not establish that a particular plan will perform reliably in your home.

Check the connection you will actually use

A larger plan does not by itself fix a weak Wi-Fi signal, a limited device or a busy remote server. Ask about expected service at the address and how performance is described. Where practical, compare representative wired and Wi-Fi measurements to understand the home network’s contribution.

As reviewed in November 2026, the CRTC says its announced clearer plan-comparison requirements take effect on March 10, 2027. The official comparison page explains the new typical-speed and pricing information. Check implementation dates instead of assuming every announced requirement already applies to a current offer.

Record a decision you can review later

Choose the comparison period that reflects how long you reasonably expect to keep the service, and save the assumptions beside the total. Put the promotional expiry date on your calendar. Review the actual first bill and any credit against what you recorded.

The result should be a service that meets your needs at a cost you understand. Recalculate when prices, eligibility or household use changes. The lowest modelled amount is a useful input, but availability, reliability, support and your own equipment still matter.

• Use the same period, currency and tax basis.
• Include the post-promotion price.
• Add separate equipment and one-time fees.
• Apply only credits you expect to receive under the written offer.
• Compare upload, download and household needs.
• Check the actual bill after activation.