How to compare internet speed and cost?

With digital needs growing fast, picking the right internet plan in Calgary is getting harder. Remote work, online learning, high-definition video streaming, and real-time gaming require ever-increasing broadband resources, so every family and business wants to get the most bandwidth for their money. To ensure that your planned expenses justify the actual benefits, you need to conduct a detailed comparison of speeds and costs.

1. Determine your needs and usage scenarios

Before researching providers' rates, you should clearly define your needs. If you use the internet for browsing, email, and social media, a 25–50 Mbps package should suffice. For a home office with video conferencing and large file downloads, you should focus on 100–200 Mbps. Families who regularly watch 4K streams on multiple devices at the same time are advised to choose packages of 300 Mbps and above. Gamers, in turn, should pay attention not only to download speed, but also to upload speed and latency, as high ping can ruin the online experience.

2. Overview of available technologies

Leading providers in Calgary offer various connection technologies:

Fiber optic (FTTH/GPON). Provides symmetrical speeds (download/upload) of up to 1 Gbit/s and above, extremely low latency, and high stability. It is preferred by the most demanding users.
DOCSIS 3.1 (coaxial network). Used by large cable operators such as Shaw and Rogers. Offers download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, but upload speeds are usually significantly lower.
DSL (ADSL/VDSL). An older technology, common in remote areas. Speeds are typically limited to 25–75 Mbps.
Radio access and satellite. Xplornet's answer for rural areas. Offers 25 to 100 Mbps, but high latency and dependence on weather conditions can cause inconvenience.

In any given area, different streets may be connected using different technologies. Make sure that fiber, DOCSIS, or at least VDSL is available at your address before comparing prices.

3. Collect information about plans and rates

To compare offers, you should note the following for each provider:

Monthly subscription fee. The base fee for the selected speed.
Download and upload speeds. Maximum guaranteed speeds.
Traffic limit. Most major providers offer unlimited packages, but the cost of “unlimited” may be higher.
Connection and equipment costs. Sometimes activation requires a one-time fee for a modem/router or technician service.
Contract terms. Contract duration, penalties for early termination.
Discounts and promotions. The first few months are free or at a reduced price.

Example:

Telus Fiber+ 300/300 Mbps — ~$75/month, free connection, 12-month contract.
Shaw 300 Mbps download — ~$70/month, 20–30 Mbps upload, $50 connection fee.
TekSavvy DSL 75/15 Mbps — $55/month, no contract, $100 connection fee.

4. Comparison of cost per unit of speed

Cost per megabit = monthly fee ÷ download speed.

Telus Fiber+ 300 Mbps for $75 → $0.25/Mbps
Shaw DOCSIS 300 Mbps for $70 → $0.23/Mbps
TekSavvy DSL 75 Mbps for $55 → $0.73/Mbps

Fiber optic and DOCSIS networks have the lowest price per megabit.

5. Real-world speed testing methodology

Official provider specifications may differ from actual performance. Use Speedtest.net or Fast.com at different times of the day, taking at least 5 measurements over the course of a week. This will help you gauge average speed, stability, and ping.

6. Consider latency and stability

Fiber: <10 ms
DOCSIS 3.1: 15–25 ms
DSL: 20–40 ms
Satellite: >600 ms

For gaming and video calls, low ping is important, not just high speed.

7. Cost of additional services

Some providers include antivirus, VPN, cloud storage, Wi-Fi router, or mobile plans. For example:

Telus Prime — Fiber+ + mobile
Shaw BlueCurve — network management and cloud DVR

8. Regional price variations and coverage

Cable and fiber optic networks are available in urban areas, while newer neighborhoods sometimes only have DSL. Check coverage on the provider's map and confirm by phone.

9. Estimate total costs for 12 months

Calculate the annual cost, including subscription fees, connection fees, equipment rental, and one-time payments.