Unlimited — But Is It Really?
Almost every internet provider in Canada now advertises “unlimited” plans. But what does that actually mean? Is there truly no limit, or is there fine print you should know about?
Let’s break it down.
What “Unlimited” Means
In Canada, “unlimited internet” means no data caps — you won’t be charged extra or have your service cut off based on how much data you use. Whether you download 100 GB or 1,000 GB in a month, your price stays the same.
This is different from plans with data caps (like many mobile plans), where exceeding your limit triggers overage charges or speed throttling.
What “Unlimited” Does NOT Mean
Unlimited data doesn’t mean unlimited speed or zero restrictions. Here are the nuances:
Speed Tiers Still Apply
Your plan speed (e.g., 75 Mbps, 150 Mbps, 300 Mbps) is still a hard limit. “Unlimited” refers to data volume, not speed. If you want faster internet, you need to upgrade your speed tier.
Fair Use Policies
Some providers have “fair use” or “acceptable use” policies buried in their terms. These allow the provider to manage your connection if your usage is deemed “excessive” — though in practice, this rarely affects residential customers using internet normally.
Network Congestion
On cable internet, your connection shares bandwidth with other customers in your neighbourhood. During peak hours (typically 7-11 PM), you might notice slower speeds. This isn’t a data cap — it’s a limitation of the shared cable infrastructure. Fibre connections don’t have this issue.
How Much Data Do People Actually Use?
According to the CRTC, the average Canadian household uses about 350-400 GB per month. Here’s what common activities consume:
| Activity | Data per Hour |
|---|---|
| Web browsing | ~0.05 GB |
| Social media | ~0.15 GB |
| Music streaming | ~0.15 GB |
| SD video streaming | ~1 GB |
| HD video streaming | ~3 GB |
| 4K video streaming | ~7 GB |
| Online gaming | ~0.05 GB (but game downloads can be 50-100+ GB) |
| Video calls (Zoom/Teams) | ~1.5 GB |
A family of four streaming a couple hours of HD video daily, plus normal browsing and work usage, will use roughly 300-500 GB per month. Well within what unlimited plans are designed for.
Why Unlimited Matters
Data caps create anxiety. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether downloading a game update or binging a show will cost you extra. Unlimited plans remove that stress entirely.
This is especially important for:
- Remote workers — large file transfers and video calls add up fast
- Families with kids — streaming, gaming, and school work consume more data than most people realize
- Gamers — game downloads and updates can be 50-100+ GB each
Get Wifi: Truly Unlimited
Every Get Wifi plan comes with unlimited data — no caps, no throttling, no overage charges. Use as much as you need, whenever you need it.
No surprises on your bill. Just fast, reliable internet.
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