How fast does your internet really need to be?

From video calls and streaming to gaming and smart home devices, today’s households ask a lot of their internet. But with plans promising ever‑faster speeds, choosing the right one can feel confusing. The truth is, the fastest option is not always best—meaning you may end up paying extra for features you don’t actually need.  

Finding your ideal plan starts with a simple question: what happens online in your home on a typical day? 

A snapshot of internet speeds in Canada 

Internet access across Canada continues to improve, though experiences still vary by region. According to Statistics Canada, average mobile download speeds reached 70.5 Mbps between July and October 2025, while upload speeds averaged 10.6 Mbps.  

Rural and remote areas continue to face challenges, but federal targets aim to bring high‑speed internet access to 98 per cent of Canadians by late 2026. Full coverage is expected by 2030 through the federal government’s high-speed internet for all Canadians initiative. 

If you live in an urban area, you likely have access to the fastest internet with the most options. If you live in an urban area, you likely have access to the fastest internet with the most options. Fibre-optic and cable deliver the most advanced speed and best reliability on the market right now. If you live somewhere more rural or remote, your internet may be offered via alternate options such as satellite.  

To check what kind of internet is available in your area and what speeds you may be able to reach, most providers allow you to input your address while shopping to find out. 

What internet speed actually means 

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the number, the more data your connection can handle at once. That becomes important when multiple activities are happening simultaneously, such as streaming shows, participating in video calls or gaming online. 

Download speed often gets the most attention because it affects how quickly content loads and streams. Upload speed is just as important, especially for video conferencing, sharing large files and backing up photos or documents to the cloud. Slow upload speeds can lead to frozen screens, choppy audio and dropped calls. 

Latency also affects how responsive your connection feels. Measured in milliseconds, latency is how long it takes data to travel from your device to the internet and back. High latency can cause noticeable delays during video meetings and online games, even when download speeds appear adequate. 

Count every connected device 

Choosing the right plan means looking beyond phones and laptops. Smart TVs, tablets, gaming consoles, streaming devices, speakers, doorbells, security cameras and even some smart appliances like your oven or fridge all rely on the same internet connection. 

In many households, evenings bring peak demand. One person may be streaming a show upstairs while another joins a video call in the kitchen, and someone else plays an online game in another room. Because your plan’s speed is shared across every connected device, heavier use requires more bandwidth to keep everything running smoothly. 

If you’re considering upgrading your internet plan, run a speed test using a single device in high-use areas of your home. This will tell you if your current internet is serving your needs—or whether any speed issues you’re experiencing might be caused by something other than your internet plan.  

Online device calculators can help you determine the internet speed you need.  

Matching speed to how you live online 

If you live alone with one main device, 50 Mbps may be enough for browsing, checking email and the occasional stream. It’s probably a good idea to upgrade if you’re planning to do anything beyond that.  

For one or two people who work or study from home and like to stream in high definition, 100 Mbps is often sufficient for calls, laptops and smart TVs.  

Homes with several devices in regular use at the same time, where video streaming, video calls and multitasking are common, typically benefit from speeds closer to 300 Mbps. 

Larger or busier households, especially those juggling multiple 4K streams, online gaming and frequent uploads, might find that plans around 500 Mbps provide a more reliable experience. 

Gigabit‑level speeds are best suited to homes with many connected devices, extensive smart‑home technology or frequent large downloads. While these plans offer impressive capacity, they are not necessary for most households and are most useful when usage is consistently high. 

The key is not to chase the highest advertised speed, but to choose a plan that reflects how your household actually uses the internet. 

A final tip for CAA Members 

Did you know CAA Members save on Rogers plans? You can save $25 per month or more on 5G+ mobile plans, 10 per cent or more on select internet with TV plans, plus an additional $10 per month with select internet with TV plans when you bundle your mobile with internet with TV plans.