Canada’s rural internet landscape is improving, but the digital divide between rural and urban communities remains a pressing concern, according to a new report from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).
Rural communities still experience slower speeds than urban ones. Some regions, like New Brunswick, have better service, while the Prairies and northern areas like the territories still face challenges.
Data shows big improvements in Canadian internet speeds. In 2015, the median download speed was about 11 Mbps. Now, it’s 92 Mbps. Upload speeds have increased from 2.4 Mbps to 27 Mbps. This growth became more noticeable after 2019, thanks to higher investment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One important factor is latency, which affects how fast data travels. High latency can cause problems with video calls and online games. The highest delays are in Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is marking the 10th anniversary of its Internet Performance Test (IPT). Since 2015, more than 1.7 million tests have been conducted.
To celebrate this milestone, CIRA has added new features to the IPT. Users can now run automatic tests throughout the day, see upload and download speeds on maps, switch to satellite views, and explore new speed categories. The dashboard now offers better insights for users who want to track internet performance over time.
“Ten years of the IPT marks a major milestone in Canada’s connectivity journey,” says Charles Noir, Vice-president, Community Investment, Policy & Advocacy, CIRA. “Thanks to community partnerships, we’ve built a powerful tool for change, but the digital divide persists. More than ever, we must keep investing, collaborating and pushing forward to ensure fast, reliable internet is a reality for everyone, no matter where they live.”
To run a test and learn more about CIRA’s Internet Performance Test, visit: https://www.cira.ca/en/net-good/internet-performance-test/