Cable internet delivers broadband through coaxial cable—the same kind used for television service. It’s widely available across Canada and offers solid speeds at a relatively low cost.
For many small to mid-sized businesses, cable internet strikes the right balance between performance and affordability.
How It Works for Businesses
A cable line runs into your building and connects to a modem, which then links to your internal network. The connection is shared with other users in your area, but modern networks are designed to handle high demand with minimal impact.
Cable internet is typically delivered over a hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) network. Fibre reaches your neighborhood, and coaxial cable finishes the connection to your business.
Typical Speeds and Performance
Download speeds range from 50 Mbps to over 1 Gbps, depending on your plan and provider. Upload speeds are often lower—typically between 5 Mbps and 100 Mbps.
Latency is usually low enough for most business applications, including cloud services, VoIP, and video conferencing. Performance may dip during peak usage hours in high-density areas.
Pros and Cons
Why Businesses Choose This Option:
- Widely available in cities and towns
- Fast download speeds at a reasonable price
- Quick to install with little or no construction required
- Often bundled with phone or TV services
Things to Consider:
- Speeds may fluctuate during peak periods
- Upload speeds are lower than download
- No service-level agreement (SLA) on basic business plans
When It Makes Sense
Cable internet is a great choice for small businesses, retail shops, and offices using cloud software, video calls, and email. It’s also a popular primary connection for cost-conscious organizations or a secondary connection for added redundancy.
If your business doesn’t need guaranteed speeds or symmetrical bandwidth, cable is a dependable option that gets the job done.
How Fidalia Helps
We work with major cable providers across Canada and can help you get connected quickly—often with no upfront installation fees. Fidalia helps you compare options, manage installation, and avoid getting locked into rigid contracts.