Netflix has finally added Canada to its ISP Speed Index, reflected in its April 2014 charts:
With this month’s update we have expanded the index to include Canada. Perhaps not surprisingly, the fiber services from Bell Aliant and Bell Canada top the chart, closely followed by cable provider Shaw. As a country, the average speed for Netflix in Canada beats that of the United States, but ranks below most European nations.
According to the chart below, Bell tops the charts at an average speed of 3.19 Mbps, followed by Shaw and Videotron. Telus is in ninth spot while Rogers comes in dead last with an average speed of 1.67 Mbps, well below the Canadian average of 2.52 Mbps and USA average of 2.33 Mbps:
Netflix says its ISP Speed Index is calculated “based on data from the more than 48 million Netflix members worldwide who view over 1 billion hours of TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix each month.”
We have previously asked Joris Evers from Netflix about whether Canada would be added to its speed index and we are glad it has finally arrived.
Just last week Netflix increased its Canadian pricing to $8.99/month for new members, while existing users get to stay at $7.99/month for at least two years. The price increase according to the company will allow expansion of movies and TV shows to its library.
Click here to sign up for Netflix, it’s $8.99/month. How did your ISP rank?
Update: Here’s an quick update from Rogers, as seen on our comments:
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Of course, this data says NOTHING about actual network performance, given that it doesn’t correct for different subscribed speeds across different providers. I’d definitely expect Rogers to have a large number of customers limited to “Lite” speeds, for example.
Good point! I agree with you 100%.
People go with Lite speeds with Rogers as anything else is more expensive and the competition.
exactly, this shows how pathetic rogers is. heck, i am sure some people are still stuck on dial-up as well. we can talk all about the network performance. the numbers above are typical average speeds.
I got NOVUS and don’t see it on the list (unless they go by another name). I consistently get great speed on the base Internet plan (20MB download).
Hi iFone. How’s the Novous service? Does anybody else suggest a: 1-reasonably priced, 2-consistent, 3-reliable and 4-fast(there are a lot of players, but most don’t have all the 4) internet service? I’ve been with Rogers since early 80’s and just found out new internet subscribers got 300 Gigabyte $51 plans, and Unlimited $60 plans which I don’t qualify for, even after talking to Rogers customer relations department for 2 hours. So, I’m looking for a new provider. Time to find a supplier that actually gives something for the money they charge. Thanks in advance everyone!!! Sorry, I posted first before realizing I should’ve replied.
Hi, just a quick update on this. The text by Netflix was done just before we virtually doubled Netflix capacity, we will continue to add more capacity as required.
STFU you throttle everything that is a competition to your services!
Lol
Hi Ryan, we do not throttle Netflix. As I explained above, we’ve recently doubled capacity in the links that carry traffic from Netflix to our customers.?
Notice how they don’t dispute the throttling of OTHER services. Netflix is now paying ISPs for “fast lane”.
Hi Peter, as I said above, and can’t emphasize enough, we do not throttle traffic on our network. What happens is that as a Netflix Open Connect partner, we’re connecting our network to Netflix at a number of their peering locations in the
United States Rogers has virtually doubled the capacity of these connections.
Well no offense Elise, but everyone knows this is not true, and you obviously do not have all the information. Cheers.
So that’s effectively admitting that you had been throttling Netflix? It seems there is no other explanation for their capacity being “virtually doubled”.
Actually, Netflix traffic increases constantly and we add capacity to make sure customers can continue to enjoy a good experience on Netflix. So we’ve recently doubled capacity in the links that carry traffic from Netflix to our customers.? I can confirm that we *do not* throttle Netflix.
I remember back a few years ago we were all complaining that Wow was throttled and your name popped up on so many threads. By proving to the crtc that was in fact throttled only then did r ogers admit they had issues with cisco throttling Wow if you had p2p. Because if that I instantly switched to teksavvy. Glad I did and glad rogers will never ever get a cent from me. I was lied to before and will never allow you to do thst again. Your word is not good..
Doesn’t TekSavvy use the Rogers network anyway?
Mine uses Bell specifically because I didn’t want my money to trickle down to Rogers. Myseld and my family do everything possible to make sure Rogers makes no money from us. Im a down right hater for life all because World of Warcraft was proven to have been throttled even after years od Rogers saying it wasnt. Rogerelise is an account that exists anywhere that negative comments exists for Rogers.
I am another former Rogers customer, who was lied too about the “WOW throttling” issue. The whole situation was disgusting on Rogers part, since they charge the highest prices! For what they claim that they have the highest speeds. That was no the case with WOW, 4 years ago and not now with Netflix.
Glad I switched to Bell.
They use cogeco, bell, rogers, telus and shaw, so it’s more of a combined rating I think.
Hi G.P. I am sorry you’re feeling this way about me. I always try to be truthful and do not share information I don’t believe in.
In terms of throttling, yes we did change our network management policy and now we *do not* throttle.
I had additional information about Netflix traffic on our network: we’re part of the Netflix Open Connect program, as a partner, we connect our network to Netflix at a number of their peering locations in the
United States. This is these connections that we’ve virtually doubled.
Wow, kind of hard to believe that if you got caught throttling once and tried to deny it then….
Actually, you’ve all along throttled your downloads. Now, the jig is up after being exposed.
What about Northwestel?
Not surprising that FibreOp is on top. They’re one of the only ISPs in Canada that YouTube gave their approval for as well.
What does approval mean?
umm. fiber is faster than cable. that’s like saying you’re not surprised that the sun sets in the west.
If you guys have questions for Netflix, ask them here and I’ll try to get them answered.
Would be nice to see the Dolby issue resolved permanently for the ATV3.
I am not a fan of Rogers, but I am with rogers for internet and I have never had any problems streaming netflix on my hd tv or on my computer, not once.
Hi iFone. How’s the Novous service? Does anybody else suggest a: 1-reasonably priced, 2-consistent, 3-reliable and 4-fast(there are a lot of players, but most don’t have all the 4) internet service? I’ve been with Rogers since early 80’s and just found out new internet subscribers got 300 Gigabyte $51 plans, and Unlimited $60 plans which I don’t qualify for, even after talking to Rogers customer relations department for 2 hours. So, I’m looking for a new provider. Time to find a supplier that actually gives something for the money they charge. Thanks in advance everyone!!!
I do notice someone else asked, but is it possible to get the ranking for NorthwesTel? I believe it is still the highest priced ISP in the country.
Does anyone know how Primus ranked in the report or are they under Bell Canada?
This more speaks to the packages offered, and subscribed to. For example if bell fiber optic customers all only have the choice to purchase the highest speed offered, or the lowest speed offered is still much higher than competitors, than they will obviously beat rogers which have packages offered and subscribed to which are borderline unusable.
P.s. Mark this was sent from my old Nexus.
For “fiber”, they’re talking FibreOP from Bell Aliant. The optical connection right in your home, not FTTH (Bell FIBE), which is optical to the curb. Where does Bell (not Aliant) offer this these days?
Elsie, Rogers does have the info. Unfortunately, you’re not privy to it. You’re merely a Rogers puppet paid to speak publicly in favor of your employer. You really can’t expect any sensible Canadian to take anything you say seriously, can you?
Bell Home Internet is decent in my neighbourhood especially with Fibe but they could have installed real fibre cable instead of “massaging” four copper lines to mimic a slower true Fibe connection.
Their cellular coverage especially LTE is horrible in Ottawa.