Presenting an overview of PCMag’s 2023 rankings for the Best Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Thanks to their updated methodology, the focus has expanded beyond speed, now encompassing customer satisfaction, coverage, and pricing. This shift provides a more comprehensive understanding of Canadian ISPs and their practical performance for real customers. The refined methodology further enables a province-specific analysis, offering a breakdown of the data. In this article, we analyze the data to identify the top performers both overall and within each of the four specific categories for Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Bell Canada
- Rogers
- Eastlink
Speed lets Bell Canada down. It scores just 7 out of 10, while Rogers hits a full 10 out of 10. Still, Bell more than makes up for it with the highest coverage rate (tying with Bell DSL to cover 80% of the area), one of the best customer satisfaction ratings and the absolute best price. Eastlink gets a slightly higher customer rating, but Bell Canada has the best combination of factors.
If we look more closely at the individual categories, we can see some interesting results. The PCMag speed test was the starting point for ISPs. If they received enough speed tests from readers online, PCMag could include that ISP in their results. Rogers topped this particular element, providing a median speed of 211.7, and Bell Canada came in second with a median speed of 139.5. Eastlink was about half as fast at 74.3, but the speeds really tailed off after that. Bell DSL and Burgeo Broadcasting Systems only had a speed of 2.0. That’s the only information Burgeo Broadcasting Systems provided, so we aren’t able to compare them with the others in any other category.
Coverage can be spotty in Newfoundland and Labrador. Bell covers most of the province: both Bell DSL and Bell Canada offer services to 81% of the province. Eastlink covers just over half – 51% – while Rogers covers just under half – 48%. When it comes to value for money, most of the ISPs are similar in pricing. Bell Canada charges an average of $0.03, and Rogers charges $0.05. Eastlink charges almost double that, at $0.09, but that is relatively cheap compared to Bell DSL, which charges an average rate of $2.00.
Finally, turning to the results of PCMag’s Readers’ Choice Overall Satisfaction survey, it’s clear that the service Newfoundlanders and Labradorians receive is superb. Eastlink sits at the top of the rankings, earning 7.3 out of 10, while Bell Canada and Bell DSL both get a rating of 7.2. Rogers isn’t far behind, however, with a healthy 6.7 out of 10.
Clearly, major national ISPs enjoy a substantial advantage due to their amalgamation of expansive coverage, brand recognition, and competitive pricing. Nonetheless, as we dissect the categories further, typically in the realms of speed and customer satisfaction, smaller companies often reveal their standout qualities. The ‘best’ ISP is the one that most precisely aligns with the customer’s individual preferences, be it for personalized service, high-speed connectivity, or outstanding value. These rankings further streamline the process for consumers in their quest to pinpoint the ideal ISP for their requirements.
