Best Cheap Internet Plans: TekSavvy vs. CarryTel vs. Oxio

For most Canadian households in 2026, the home internet bill is the second most expensive utility after electricity. While the "Big Three" (Rogers, Bell, and Telus) dominate the marketing space, a growing movement of savvy spenders has shifted to Independent Service Providers (ISPs). These companies, often called "resellers," lease the high-speed infrastructure from the giants at wholesale rates regulated by the CRTC and pass the savings—sometimes as much as $50 a month—directly to you.

Choosing a third-party internet provider is the single most effective way to lower your fixed costs without sacrificing the speed you need for remote work, 4K streaming, or gaming. Whether you are a student managing your OSAP or student aid budget or a newcomer trying to follow the Ultimate Savings Guide, understanding the nuances between the top three contenders—TekSavvy, CarryTel, and Oxio—is your roadmap to financial breathing room.

This deep dive breaks down the hardware, the customer service experience, and the secret "Retention Hacking" tactics you can use to get the fastest speeds for the lowest price in 2026.

2026 Internet Value Leaderboard: Reseller Comparison

1. TekSavvy: The Authority on Independent Internet

TekSavvy is the oldest and most respected independent ISP in Canada. They are known for their fierce advocacy for consumer rights at the CRTC.

• The 2026 Advantage: Unlike many budget brands, TekSavvy now offers 1.5 Gbps FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) in select regions, moving them beyond just "cable resellers."
• Customer Service: They are one of the few independent providers that still offers robust 24/7 phone support, which is vital if you work from home and can't wait for a "chat-only" ticket to be resolved.
• Pricing Note: Their 100 Mbps plan currently sits at $38.95/month for the first year, providing a massive discount for new subscribers.

2. CarryTel: The "No-Frills" Price Leader

CarryTel is for the "Price First" shopper. They strip away the fancy branding and 24/7 phone lines to offer the absolute market floor for high-speed cable internet.

• The 2026 Advantage: Their promotions are aggressive. You can often land a 1 Gbps plan for $49.99 for the first few months.
• The Catch: CarryTel often requires an upfront equipment fee or a small activation charge. However, in the long run, their monthly "regular price" is usually $5–$10 lower than TekSavvy.
• Gaming Focus: They are consistently ranked as a top gaming ISP by PCMag due to their low-latency routing in Ontario and Quebec.
• I USD THIS CarryTel AND THEY ARE AMAZING GO TO THEIR SITE HERE TO SAVE ON INTERNET..
• Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up through my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

3. Oxio: The Tech-Forward "Anti-Provider"

Oxio (owned by Cogeco but operating independently) is the most transparent provider in the industry. They actually show you a breakdown of their profit on your bill.

• The 2026 Advantage: Free Equipment. Oxio provides a high-quality Eero Mesh Router for free with every plan. This hardware alone is worth $150+, making Oxio the best choice for large apartments or homes with "dead zones."
• Fixed Pricing: They don't do "12-month promos." The price you see is the price you pay indefinitely, which prevents the "bill shock" many Canadians face every January.

Which cheap internet provider is best in 2026?

The best cheap internet provider in 2026 depends on your needs: Oxio is the best for transparency and includes a free high-end Eero router; CarryTel offers the absolute lowest promotional price for high-speed cable; and TekSavvy is the top choice for those wanting the fastest 1.5 Gbps fibre speeds with 24/7 phone support. All three use the same physical lines as Rogers or Bell but save users between $30 and $50 per month.

Finding a cheap plan is step one. Step two is mastering the "Street Angle" to ensure you are never throttled, never overcharged, and always prioritized on the network.

1. The "Confirmation of Enrolment" Subsidized Internet

While the OSAP schedule helps you budget, many students don't realize they qualify for Rogers Connected for Success even if they don't live in subsidized housing.

• The Street Angle: In 2026, if you are receiving the maximum Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or provincial disability support like ODSP, you can get the Ignite 50 plan for $9.99/month.
• The Hack: Do not call the general Rogers line. You must call the specific "Connected for Success" intake line at 1-866-689-0758. Mention that your "Confirmation of Enrolment" for school or your benefit statement is ready for upload. This is a "Zero-Competition" way to save $1,000 a year.

2. Oxio vs TekSavvy Coverage: The "Middle Mile" Reality

A common search is "Oxio vs TekSavvy coverage 2026." * The Reality: They use the same "Last Mile" (the wire to your house), but they have different "Middle Miles" (the servers that connect them to the global web).

• The Winner: In Toronto and Montreal, Oxio’s routing is often faster for international traffic. However, TekSavvy’s ownership of their own hardware in some regions makes them more resilient to peak-hour "slowdowns." If you are a heavy downloader, TekSavvy's 1.5 Gbps plan on a "Fibre" line is significantly more stable than Oxio's 1 Gbps on a "Cable" line.

3. CarryTel Throttling: Myth vs. Fact

Search traffic for "CarryTel throttling reviews" has spiked in 2026.

• The Truth: Independent ISPs do not "throttle" specific users. However, because they buy wholesale capacity, if a neighborhood is overcrowded, the wholesaler (Rogers/Bell) will prioritize their own customers during peak hours (7:00 PM – 11:00 PM).
• The Hack: To bypass the appearance of throttling, use a Third-Party DNS (like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or Google 8.8.8.8) on your router. This often speeds up the "lookup" time for websites and makes a budget plan feel like a premium one.

4. TekSavvy Promo Code 1.5 Gbps: The "Loyalty" Loophole

Everyone wants a "TekSavvy promo code 2026," but the best deals aren't on coupon sites.

• The Strategy: Sign up for the 100 Mbps plan. After three months of perfect payment history, use the "Chat" feature and ask for the "Fibre Upgrade Loyalty Promo."
• The Result: Many users are getting the 1.5 Gbps speeds for the price of the 500 Mbps plan ($60–$70) simply by asking. Because TekSavvy is fighting for market share against Bell’s "PureFibre," they are highly motivated to keep you on their fibre network.

5. Switching from Bell to Oxio: The "Overlap" Rule

The highest anxiety for "cord-cutters" is represented by the search: "How to switch from Bell to Oxio without downtime."

• The Protocol: 1. Order Oxio first. 2. Set your installation date for 3 days before you cancel Bell. 3. Once the Oxio Eero router is live and you've verified the speed, then call Bell to cancel.
• The Financial Tip: Because Oxio is "no-contract" and often gives the first month free via a referral code, the 3-day overlap costs you $0 but saves you from being disconnected.

Managing Your Internet in the Ultimate Savings Silo

Your internet plan is the anchor of your Ultimate Savings Guide. If you are paying $120 for Bell but you could be paying $45 for Oxio, that $75 difference covers your Cheapest Cell Phone Plan and half of your Grocery Rescue budget.

The "Hidden" Data Cap in 2026

While most resellers claim "Unlimited Data," always read the "Fair Use Policy."

• The Warning: In 2026, some extremely cheap providers may "soft-cap" you after 3TB of data. For a standard household, this is plenty. But if you are a "Data Miner" or running a server, you must stick with TekSavvy or Oxio, as they are the only ones with a "No-Throttling" guarantee at the wholesale level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need a technician to visit to switch to a reseller?

A: If you are switching from Rogers to an independent cable provider (like Oxio or CarryTel), you usually do not need a technician. It is a "Remote Activation." You just plug in your new modem on the activation day.

Q: Can I use my own router?

A: Yes. While Oxio gives you an Eero for free, both TekSavvy and CarryTel allow you to use your own hardware. We recommend a Wi-Fi 6 or 6E router in 2026 to ensure you are actually getting the speeds you pay for over wireless.

Q: What happens if the internet goes down?

A: You call your ISP (TekSavvy/Oxio), not Rogers/Bell. If the problem is with the physical wire, the independent ISP will book a Rogers/Bell technician on your behalf. You get the same repair service, just through a different customer service agent.

Q: Can I get TV and Phone bundles?

A: TekSavvy and VMedia offer the best bundles for "Cord-Cutters." You can get basic TV channels for roughly $25/month, which is significantly cheaper than the $80+ "Legacy TV" packages from major providers.

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. PCMag: The Best ISPs in Canada 2025/2026 - Speed and Satisfaction Rankings
2. CRTC: Wholesale High-Speed Access Service - 2026 Regulatory Update
3. PlanHub: Internet Plan Comparison for Ontario and Quebec - January 2026
4. WhistleOut: Best Unlimited Internet Plans in Canada - January 2026 Update

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.