Best Rural Internet Providers in Canada: Satellite, Wireless, and DSL

By Kevin Kearney

Last updated 11 January 2024

A woman leaning out of a farmhouse or cabin while looking at her phone

Contents

In this guide:

Rural internet service providers
Rural internet technologies
Methodology
Frequently asked questions

Canada's geography, like its citizens, is diverse. One in six Canadians lives in rural areas where fibre optic cable installations are prohibitively expensive. Rural internet providers offer these remote customers unique solutions that deliver reliable connectivity.

Our picks for the best Canadian rural internet providers include Xplornet, Starlink, Bell, Rogers, SaskTel, and Telus. We've scoured all the best cable, fibre optic, DSL, wireless, and satellite internet plans, analyzing the speed, reliability, and price offered by each provider so you can make an informed purchase.

Read on to find the best rural internet service providers in Canada.

How we picked the best rural internet providers

Price & value
We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected.
Speeds & data
We looked at whether the upload and download speeds were reasonable for the plan price and flagged if you’re being overcharged for services and data you likely don’t need.
Coverage & network reliability
We evaluated each carrier’s coverage maps and availability per province.
Plan extras and perks
If you get a free modem or streaming subscription, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.

You can read more about our detailed methodology below.

Rural internet service providers in Canada

Hundreds of companies provide telecommunications to remote communities throughout Canada. Our favourite internet providers—included below—offer the widest range of services for rural internet in Canada.

Xplore rural internet

Pros: Large rural coverage map, affordable plans
Cons: Limited hardware services, inconsistent service

Our favourite rural internet provider is Xplore. The company offers extensive coverage with its independent 4G LTE network and WiMAX fixed wireless towers. Xplore also offers consumer satellite internet service almost everywhere in Canada that its wireless network can’t reach. Looking to the future, Xplore is continuing to install fibre optic and 5G services to select communities, further improving rural internet infrastructure.

Xplore is available in every province throughout Canada, though you'll need to confirm your particular address to make sure service is available where you live.

#1	Xplore	Xplore LTE 25 Truly Unlimited Data Fixed Wireless 25/5 Mbps $49.99/mo Go	$49.99/mo	Go
#2	Xplore	Xplore LTE 25 Truly Unlimited Data Fixed Wireless 25/5 Mbps $49.99/mo Go	$49.99/mo	Go
#3	Xplore	Xplore 5G 50 Truly Unlimited Data Fixed Wireless 50/10 Mbps $59.99/mo Go	$59.99/mo	Go
#4	Xplore	Xplore LTE 50 Truly Unlimited Data Fixed Wireless 50/10 Mbps $59.99/mo Go	$59.99/mo	Go
#5	Xplore	Xplore LTE 50 Truly Unlimited Data Fixed Wireless 50/10 Mbps $59.99/mo Go	$59.99/mo	Go

Starlink internet

Pros: High-speed satellite internet, flat rate
Cons: High upfront cost, inconsistent service

Starlink internet, the high-speed satellite provider from Elon Musk's SpaceX, is now available throughout all of Canada. While the service is still new, we were impressed with its performance and accessibility. Check out our extensive review of Starlink internet to learn more.

Bell rural internet

Pros: Large coverage map, affordable fixed wireless
Cons: Expensive premium plans

Bell Canada also offers a large variety of rural internet options, including fibre optic, DSL, fixed wireless, and mobile hotspot. As one of the largest participants in the Broadband Fund, the government's investment in internet for rural areas of Canada, Bell installs fibre optic cable in small, remote communities and builds wireless broadband towers. Bell’s fixed wireless service is comparable in price to the competition, but its premium mobile phone plans are among the most expensive in Canada. Satellite TV service is also available through Bell, but not satellite internet.

Bell internet is available in Ontario and Quebec.

#1	Bell	Bell Fibe 15 Fibre 15/15 Mbps $49.95/mo Go	$49.95/mo	Go
#2	Bell	Bell Fibe Internet Fibre 10/0.93 Mbps $55/mo Go	$55/mo	Go
#3	Bell	Bell Fibe 150 Fibre 150/150 Mbps $60/mo Go	$60/mo	Go
#4	Bell	Bell Fibe 50 Fibre 50/50 Mbps $60/mo Go	$60/mo	Go
#5	Bell	Bell Fibe 500 Fibre 500/500 Mbps $80/mo Go	$80/mo	Go

A man using a laptop computer while at a cabin in the woods

Rogers rural internet

Pros: Affordable prices, unlimited data
Cons: Limited coverage area

The demand for high-speed internet in rural Canada spiked with the pandemic lockdown in 2020, so Rogers launched its wireless home broadband service. The service launched in southwestern Ontario and expanded to include western Canada. Investments fueled by the federal government’s Broadband Fund helped Rogers connect Canadians in smaller communities. Rogers also offers cable internet and mobile hotspot telecommunications services.

Rogers internet is currently available in Ontario.

#1	Rogers	Rogers Ignite Internet 150 Cable 150/30 Mbps $59.99/mo Go	$59.99/mo	Go
#2	Rogers	Rogers Ignite Internet 500 Cable 500/30 Mbps $79.99/mo Go	$79.99/mo	Go
#3	Rogers	Rogers Ignite Internet 1.5 Gigabit Cable 1500/50 Mbps $109.99/mo Go	$109.99/mo	Go

Telus rural internet

Pros: Fast wireless, affordable plans, great coverage in B.C., Alberta, and Quebec
Cons: No service outside western Canada or Quebec

Telus operates the fastest, largest, and most reliable cellular network in Canada, so it’s no surprise it leveraged that technology to provide rural internet service. The company is among the first to offer 5G internet service in the home. It also provides high-speed internet over fibre optic, DSL, and mobile hotspot. Telus should be the first call for rural Canadians living in B.C., Alberta, and Quebec because of wireless download speeds up to 100Mbps and some of the most affordable wireless internet plans available anywhere.

Telus internet is currently available in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.

#1	Telus	Telus Smart Hub 25 Fixed Wireless 25/25 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $70/mo Go	$70/mo (plan + modem)	Go
#2	Telus	Telus PureFibre Internet 250 Fibre 250/250 Mbps $80/mo Go	$80/mo	Go
#3	Telus	Telus PureFibre Internet 250 Fibre 250/250 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $80/mo Go	$80/mo	Go
#4	Telus	Telus Smart Hub 25 Unlimited Fixed Wireless 25/25 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $85/mo Go	$85/mo (plan + modem)	Go
#5	Telus	Telus PureFibre Internet 500 Fibre 500/500 Mbps $90/mo Go	$90/mo	Go

SaskTel rural internet

Pros: Best coverage in Saskatchewan, great customer service, bundling deals
Cons: Limited to Saskatchewan, wireless can be slow

SaskTel is the largest communications provider in Saskatchewan and scores high in customer satisfaction. SaskTel's fusion internet plans are the best choice for rural Canadians without hardwired internet access. Even though the monthly rates can be expensive, bundling an unlimited voice and data cell phone plan reduces the cost and increases your full-speed data cap.

SaskTel internet is only available in Saskatchewan.

#1	SaskTel	SaskTel interNET 5 VDSL 5/1 Mbps $57.95/mo Go	$57.95/mo	Go
#2	SaskTel	SaskTel interNET 10 VDSL 10/1 Mbps $62.95/mo Go	$62.95/mo	Go
#3	SaskTel	SaskTel interNET 25 VDSL 25/2 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $69.95/mo Go	$69.95/mo (plan + modem)	Go
#4	SaskTel	SaskTel interNET 50 VDSL 50/10 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $79.95/mo Go	$79.95/mo (plan + modem)	Go
#5	SaskTel	SaskTel interNET 25 VDSL 25/2 Mbps $79.95/mo Go	$79.95/mo (plan + modem)	Go

Rural internet types in Canada

In the city, most households can choose from cable internet and fibre-optic. Both choices offer downloads up to gigabit speeds for around $100/month. Out in the country, you may have fewer affordable options, but the four most common internet technologies deliver high-speed internet throughout rural Canada. Read on to learn about the internet connection options in rural areas.

Canadian internet consumers must balance their needs between a reliable internet connection, high-speed downloads, and affordable monthly rates. Nowhere is this truer than in rural Canada, where the choices are severely limited to whatever service is available. As of 2023, only 62% of rural communities have reliable broadband access to the internet. However, government incentives through the Broadband Fund compensate internet providers for installing broadband connectivity for all Canadian households, despite the cost.

The Canadian government funds broadband network installation to remote communities across the country, closing the digital divide between connections available to urban and rural Canadians. This effort aims to bring high-speed internet service to 95% of all Canadians by 2026 and 100% of rural Canadians by 2030. The Broadband Fund pays for prohibitively expensive installation of fibre optic and wireless connectivity so everyone can be connected with an affordable plan no matter where they live.

Compare Rural Internet Technologies

Technology	Reliability	Speed	Price	Rural availability
Cable
Fibre optic
DSL
Mobile hotspot
Fixed wireless
Satellite

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Pros: Reliable performance, affordable, some ISPs offer live TV packages
Cons: Slower speeds, not available in many rural areas
ISPs: TekSavvy, VMedia, Telus, Bell, Altima, SaskTel

You can subscribe to DSL almost anywhere there’s a phone line. That covers many farms but not necessarily recreational properties like cottages or cabins. Bad weather doesn’t affect your download speeds on DSL, making it the most reliable option. Maximum download speeds are limited to 50Mbps, and upload speeds normally peak at 10Mbps. That’s fast enough to stream shows in high definition and play online video games.

A high power radio antenna out in the wilderness

Mobile hotspot

Pros: Fast speeds, affordable, nationwide coverage
Cons: Inconsistent speed, susceptible to bad weather, low data caps
ISPs: Telus, Fido, Virgin Plus, Koodo, Public Mobile, Chatr, Fizz, Bell, Rogers, Videotron, SaskTel, Freedom Mobile

Many Canadians immediately think about using a cell phone when no internet or Wi-Fi is available. With this service, you can connect a laptop or tablet computer to your iPhone or Android smartphone through a wireless hotspot and download at 100Mbps or faster. New 5G networks will also further improve speed and range.

A mobile hotspot offers the easiest setup so long as you can get a good signal, but even the most expensive smartphone plans include data caps. Cell phone carriers with unlimited data plans may throttle data to limit your internet performance and reduce stress on the overall network. Feel free to watch TV shows and movies on unlimited 4G LTE and 5G plans, but throttled mobile data connections are only fast enough for basic browsing and streaming music.

Fixed wireless

Pros: Reliable performance, good coverage in rural communities
Cons: Slower speeds, expensive, low coverage outside rural communities
ISPs: Xplornet, Bell, SaskTel

Fixed wireless is similar to cellular internet in that you connect wirelessly to a broadcasting antenna. The price is about the same, and the connection is more reliable and with lower latency. Those features are very useful when streaming video or hosting a video meeting. Overall, download speed isn’t better than cell signals—typically around 25Mbps.

Fixed wireless towers must be present within 15 km of your location, so their coverage area is smaller than cell phone service. However, the performance and reliability make it a valuable option, especially for business use.

A woman in the forest using her laptop computer

Satellite internet

Pros: Large coverage map
Cons: High latency, weather issues, high upfront costs
ISPs: Xplornet, Starlink

Rural Canadians have enjoyed satellite TV in every corner of the country for decades. It makes sense since satellites can broadcast to just about anywhere that sees an open sky. However, satellite internet requires two-way communications, making the service difficult to set up and far more expensive to operate. Most satellite internet providers in Canada work exclusively with commercial accounts because of these costs. Residential satellite internet service is still quite expensive, with slow transfer speeds and low data caps

Compared to any other form of internet connectivity, satellite ranks last—except in coverage area. New low-orbit satellite networks, like Elon Musk’s Starlink, promise faster transmission speeds and more affordable rates. While modern satellite internet is only fast enough for basic web browsing, these next-generation options offer download speeds fast enough to stream 4K video.

Two people on a farm looking at a tablet computer

Rural internet near you

Knowing more about the different home broadband technologies and internet providers is great—unless they’re not available where you live. Use WhistleOut Canada’s exclusive search tool to find internet availability by postal code.

Methodology: How WhistleOut rates internet plans

WhistleOut evaluates internet plans based on the following criteria:

Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same provider, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
Speeds & data: Faster upload and download speeds usually mean a better user experience, but not every household needs the fastest plan available. Additionally, the more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better the plan—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for services or data that will go unused.
Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of an ISP’s network determines your reception and service. We value ISPs with large coverage maps who can provide quality internet to more Canadians.
Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—speeds and data—some plans throw in freebies like modems, installation, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.

Our internet experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best rural internet providers, analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and upload/download speeds.

Looking for more options for your next internet plan? Be sure to check out our guides to the best internet service providers and the best internet plans in Canada.

Best rural internet providers in Canada: FAQs

Is a mobile hotspot better than satellite internet?

Sometimes a mobile hotspot is better than satellite internet. If you live near a cell phone tower, using a mobile hotspot may be better than satellite internet, but data-sharing on your smartphone is very taxing on the battery and can shorten your device's lifespan if used repeatedly. Satellite internet has a much larger coverage area since it reaches almost everywhere with an open sky.

Is fixed wireless internet the same as cell phone data?

No, fixed wireless and cell phone data are not the same. While cellular data is good for mobility, fixed wireless features a highly reliable connection with low latency. Download speeds can be faster over cellular but quickly decline the further you get from the cell tower. Fixed wireless offers fast internet speeds up to 15 kilometers from the base station.

Does anyone offer unlimited hotspot data in Canada?

Yes, most unlimited data cell phone plans offer unlimited hotspot data in Canada.

How can I get internet in remote areas?

You can get internet in remote areas in a few different ways. Satellite internet providers, like Starlink and Xplore, now provide high-speed internet to remote areas of the Canadian wilderness. Larger providers, like Telus, also provide wireless internet that allows for more basic internet connectivity, no matter how rural.

What is the best internet in rural areas?

The best internet in rural areas is satellite internet. We've been particularly impressed by Starlink, whose service is now available in most rural areas of Canada. Check out our Starlink internet review to learn everything you need to know.