Internet et télé à la maison — comparez avant de signer.
1. The major providers
The Quebec market:
- Bell and Vidéotron: major players, available everywhere
- Cogeco: certain regions
- EBOX, Fizz, VMedia: cheaper alternatives, same infrastructure
2. Choosing a speed
Recommended speed by use:
- 100 Mbps: 1–3 people, normal use
- 300–500 Mbps: 4+ people, gaming, intensive remote work
- 1 Gbps: rarely a residential necessity
3. Comparing prices
Typical prices for 100 Mbps:
- Bell, Vidéotron, Cogeco: $70 to $90/month
- EBOX, Fizz, VMedia: $50 to $70/month
- Watch out for « 6 months at $40 » promos that jump to $80 afterward
4. TV: traditional cable is fading
Traditional cable is in decline. Modern alternatives:
- Netflix, Crave (Bell's equivalent), Disney+, Prime Video
- Tou.tv: Quebec content (Radio-Canada)
- Total streaming: $30 to $60/month, often cheaper than cable
5. Buying your own modem?
Rent vs buy the modem:
- Rent: $10 to $15/month ($240 to $360 over 2 years)
- Buy: $200 to $300, pays off in 18 months
- Check compatibility with your provider before buying
6. Comparing internet plans — by usage profile
Here's a quick reference for picking a speed by use case and budget.
Prices are monthly in Canadian dollars, taxes included. The Big 3 are Bell, Vidéotron and Cogeco — they own the infrastructure. Resellers (EBOX, Fizz Internet, VMedia) lease that same infrastructure and sell it cheaper, with no in-store service.
Coverage and delivered speeds are identical. For most newcomers in urban areas, a reseller plan around $60/month for 100 to 300 Mbps more than covers needs.
| Profile | Speed | Big 3 | Resellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light — 1 person, browsing | 50 to 100 Mbps | ~$70 to $80/month | ~$45 to $60/month |
| Medium — 2–3 people, streaming | 100 to 300 Mbps | ~$80 to $100/month | ~$55 to $75/month |
| Heavy — 4+, gaming, remote work | 300 to 1,000 Mbps | ~$100 to $130/month | ~$75 to $95/month |
| Cable + Internet bundle | n/a | ~$130 to $170/month | Rare |
7. Streaming in Quebec — what it really costs
The most popular streaming services in Quebec each cost between $7 and $25 per month. The total adds up fast if you stack them.
Typical family setup:
- Basic Netflix: ~$17/month
- Disney+ Standard: ~$12/month
- Crave: ~$13/month
- Tou.tv Extra: ~$7/month (exclusive Quebec content)
Total: ~$49/month — still less than a traditional cable package at $80 or $100.
Underrated tip: most services allow sharing within a household, and several offer discounted annual billing — Disney+, for example, gives about two free months for a year paid up-front.
And several mobile or internet plans include a free or discounted streaming service — check what's already bundled before paying twice.
8. Your action list
Follow these steps to choose and install your home internet service. Check each box as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Assess the speed needed for your usage
- Compare 3–4 providers for the same speed
- Favor no-commitment plans
- Check the expiry date of promotions
- Book the installation (often a 1–2 week wait)
- If you take streaming: don't keep a redundant cable subscription
9. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about home internet in Quebec: the real difference between Big 3 and resellers, how to schedule installation in time for July 1, whether fibre is really worth it over cable, and how to complain if the provider doesn't deliver the promised speed.
What's the real difference between Bell or Vidéotron and a reseller like EBOX or Fizz?
The infrastructure is the same — resellers lease lines from the Big 3, regulated by the CRTC. So the speed and reliability you receive are identical.
The differences lie elsewhere:
- The Big 3 offer in-store service, sometimes faster phone support, and bundled TV plans.
- Resellers offer 100% online service, lower prices, and shorter or no-commitment plans.
For most users, savings of $20 to $30 per month over two years easily justify online-only customer service.
When should I book installation to be connected by July 1?
Reserve at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance for a July 1 move-in. The week of July 1 is the busiest of the year for installers — most slots are gone by mid-June.
Some providers (Fizz Internet, Vidéotron) offer self-install kits delivered by mail, which dodges the technician queue entirely.
Practical tip: as soon as your lease is signed, book the installation date — even before the actual move.
Is fibre really worth it over cable?
For the majority of household uses (streaming, video calls, basic gaming), modern cable at 100 to 300 Mbps already does the job.
Fibre delivers two real advantages:
- Upload speed equal to download (vs much lower upload on cable) — useful if you upload large files, host a server, or do 4K video calls.
- Stable latency, less affected by neighborhood load.
If you don't recognize yourself in either case, cable is enough. If you regularly upload videos or work in remote IT, fibre justifies its modest extra cost.
My provider doesn't deliver the promised speed — what can I do?
First, run a speed test from speedtest.net wired to the modem with an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi distorts the result). Repeat at three different times (morning, evening, weekend) to spot patterns.
If the average is significantly below the contract speed, contact customer support with your numbers. If nothing moves within a reasonable time, file a complaint with the CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services), the federal ombudsman.
The CCTS is free, independent, and resolves most cases within 30 to 60 days.
10. Official sources
For official information:
11. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Choosing a mobile plan in Quebec — the sister decision for mobile connectivity.
- Signing a lease in Quebec — book the internet installation as soon as you sign so you don't lose days without service.
- Open a bank account in Quebec — to set up monthly autopay.
Author's Note: Compare 3–4 providers before signing. One hour of comparison = $300 in savings over 2 years.
