The Ultimate Guide to Rogers Business vs. Bell Business Internet in Canada
In today’s Canadian business world, fast and reliable internet isn’t a bonus; it’s essential. It’s the engine behind cloud computing, video calls, data backups, and secure phone systems. When you’re picking an internet provider, two big names come to mind: Rogers and Bell.
Choosing between them can feel tough. Both companies offer a wide range of plans, features, and promises. Our goal is to make that choice easier. We’ve looked at their plans, technology, and service promises. We also read thousands of reviews from places like G2 and Gartner. This guide will help you understand the key differences in price, speed, and customer support. Let’s find out which provider is the best fit for your business.
Where They Are and How Their Networks Work
First, you need to know if the provider’s network reaches your business. Both Bell and Rogers have extensive networks, but they use different technologies. This means the performance you get can vary significantly depending on your area.
Bell Fiber
Bell's top service uses pure fiber-optic cables. This network is growing fast, but the best symmetrical speeds are mostly in big cities and new developments. In other areas, you might get a slower connection that doesn't offer the same speed or reliability.
Rogers
Rogers' network is a mix of fiber and cable. This cable network is more common than Bell's pure fiber network. This gives Rogers a slight edge in availability in some rural and suburban areas. Rogers is also building its fiber network in new buildings, which can offer symmetrical speeds just like Bell.
Head To Head Comparison
| Aspect | Rogers Business Broadband | Bell Business Broadband |
|---|---|---|
|
Primary Technology |
Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) network is most common. Fibre-to-the-Business is available in limited areas. Also offers 5G Wireless Internet. |
Primarily Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), delivering pure fibre optic connection. Some areas may still use Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN). |
|
Internet Speeds |
Offers a range of download speeds, from 75 Mbps up to 2 Gbps in some areas. |
Offers a wide spectrum of speeds, including symmetrical options from 50 Mbps up to 8 Gbps, depending on fibre availability. |
|
Symmetrical Speeds |
No, upload speeds are significantly lower than download speeds on their common HFC plans. Symmetrical speeds are rare. |
Yes, a key advantage of their pure fibre plans is offering identical download and upload speeds (e.g., 1 Gbps download & 1 Gbps upload). |
|
Starting Price |
Typically starts around $70/month for basic business plans (e.g., 75 Mbps) on a 3-year term. 5G plans may start lower. |
Typically starts around $75/month for basic business plans (e.g., 50 Mbps) on a 3-year term. |
|
Contract Terms |
Plans are generally offered with 1, 2, 3 or 5-year contracts to secure promotional pricing. Month-to-month options may be available at a higher cost. |
Similar to Rogers, the best pricing is typically locked in with a 3-year contract. Shorter terms or no-contract options are usually more expensive. |
|
Data Caps |
All core business internet plans come with unlimited data. |
All business internet plans feature unlimited data. |
|
Static IP Address |
Available. Can be included in higher-tier plans or added on for a monthly fee on lower-tier plans. |
Available as an add-on for a monthly fee. |
|
Uptime Guarantee |
Offers a 99% uptime guarantee, which is often tied to bundling their Wireless Backup service on specific higher-tier plans. |
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with specific uptime guarantees are typically available, especially on their more advanced fibre plans. |
|
Wireless Backup |
Yes, offers a 4G/5G Wireless Backup solution that automatically kicks in if the primary wired connection fails. |
Yes, offers a Wireless Backup service to ensure business continuity during an internet outage. |
|
Security Features |
Offers Rogers Business WiFi Security, which can include features like content filtering and network threat protection. |
Provides various security solutions, including Bell Security and DDoS protection, which can be bundled with internet plans. |
|
Managed Wi-Fi |
Advantage WiFi service is available, providing managed network solutions, guest Wi-Fi portals, and network insights. |
Offers a “Managed Wi-Fi” service that includes professional installation, equipment, and support for business Wi-Fi networks. |
|
Customer Support |
Offers 24/7 dedicated business support. Reviews are mixed, which is common for large telecom providers. |
Provides 24/7 technical support for business clients. Customer service reputation is similarly mixed. |
|
Geographic Availability |
Primarily available in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. |
Extensive network coverage, particularly in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. Fibre availability is expanding but not yet universal. |
|
Ideal Use Case |
Good for businesses where high download speeds are the priority, cost is a major factor on lower-tier plans, and pure fibre is unavailable. |
Excellent for businesses that require high upload speeds for large file transfers, video conferencing, cloud applications, and hosting servers. |
Discover the Right Internet Partner
Advertised Speed vs. Real Speed
This is a key difference. Bell’s fiber network gives you a dedicated line to your business. This means your speeds are less likely to slow down during busy times. Rogers’ network, which uses cable is a shared connection. This means your internet speed is split with other users in your area. This can cause speeds to drop, especially during evenings and on weekends.
Upload Speeds
This is a big area where Bell stands out. Bell's pure fiber network offers symmetrical speeds. This means your upload and download speeds are the same. This is a huge plus for businesses that use cloud storage, send big files, or have many video calls. Rogers' cable network has much slower upload speeds compared to its download speeds.
The Winner?
Bell wins for performance, but Rogers wins for availability. Bell’s fiber technology is better for consistent speed and uploads. But Rogers' cable network might be the only high-speed option in some places.
Speed and Performance
The Winner?
Bell wins for performance, but Rogers wins for availability. Bell’s fiber technology is better for consistent speed and uploads. But Rogers' cable network might be the only high-speed option in some places.
Bell Fiber
Bell's business Fiber plans offer symmetrical speeds up to 8 Gbps. Standard plans are 1.5 Gbps and 3 Gbps symmetrical. These speeds enable instant file transfers, smooth video calls with multiple participants, and seamless use of cloud apps.
Rogers Business Internet
Rogers offers download speeds up to 2 Gbps. But their upload speeds are not symmetrical, often only reaching 150-200 Mbps. These speeds are fine for most daily tasks, but they can slow things down for data-heavy jobs.
A Look at Consistency
For a business, a steady connection is often more important than the highest speed. Bell's fiber network is known for being very stable. Because your line is dedicated, it's not affected by how others use the internet. Rogers' shared network can experience more speed fluctuations, especially during busy times.
Best for Cloud, Video, and VoIP
For all these essential business tasks, Bell's symmetrical and steady upload speeds give it a clear advantage. Uploading big files to the cloud is just as fast as downloading them. Video calls stay clear and stable, and phone calls are less likely to have delays.
The Winner?
Bell. The excellent, symmetrical performance of Bell's fiber network makes it the clear winner for businesses that need a strong, reliable connection.
Prices and Plans
Bell Business Internet
Bell offers different levels of plans, from basic options for small businesses to dedicated fiber for large companies. Prices are often tied to a three-year contract. The prices may go up each year. You should also expect setup fees and hardware costs.
Bell Business Internet
Rogers Business Internet: Rogers also has different plan levels. They offer monthly or multi-year contracts. Rogers is known for special bundles that can include discounts on internet, phone, and business TV. They also offer free installation or other deals for new customers.
Fees, Hardware, and Deals
Both providers have setup and installation fees, usually around $100-$150. Sometimes these fees are waived with a special deal. The modem and router are typically included in the monthly payment. Both companies often have promotions. It's smart to talk to a sales rep to get the best deal.
Flexibility
For small businesses, Rogers' flexible contracts and bundles can be a good choice. For larger companies with critical needs, Bell's focus on custom fiber solutions is more appealing.
The Winner?
It's a tie. The winner depends on your specific needs and how well you can negotiate. Both companies offer reasonable prices, but their real value lies in their network technology and current deals.
Customer Support and Service Promises (SLAs)
24/7 Tech Support
Both Rogers and Bell offer 24/7 technical support for business customers. However, what people say in online reviews shows that wait times and the quality of support can vary. Many users complain about long waits and needing to call multiple times to fix a problem.
Guarantees for Uptime and Response
For their higher-priced fiber plans, both companies offer Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These are promises about how much uptime you'll have (e.g., 99.9%) and how fast they'll respond to a problem. For example, Bell’s SLAs might say they will respond to a major outage within two hours. Rogers has a 99% Uptime Guarantee on some plans with a wireless backup. It's essential to read these agreements carefully to understand what you're entitled to in the event of an outage.
Backup Plans
Some of the best plans from both companies include a wireless backup service. This feature automatically switches your internet to a cellular network (like Bell's or Rogers' 5G network) if the wired connection fails. This is a very valuable feature for keeping your business running.
The Winner? Bell wins by a small amount. While both can improve, Bell’s focus on better SLAs and the natural reliability of its fiber network give it a slight advantage for businesses that need minimal downtime.
Check Who Offers Better Value
| Business Features and Extras | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Offers static IP addresses, network security like DDoS protection, and managed Wi-Fi services. Their “Advantage WiFi” provides managed, full-coverage Wi-Fi with separate networks for guests and employees. Their “5G Business Internet” is a good option for remote or temporary locations. |
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Bell also offers static IP addresses, managed services, and enhanced security. Their “Bell Total Connect” is a set of communication tools including phone systems, video calls, and instant messaging. Bell also offers managed services like SD-WAN for businesses with multiple locations. |
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The Winner? It’s a tie. Both companies offer a complete set of business features. The better choice depends on what specific extras your business needs.
Good and Bad Things About Each
Rogers
Widely available, often has better deals and bundles, strong wireless backup options with 5G.
Slower upload speeds, possible network slowdowns during busy times.
Bell
Great symmetrical speeds and reliability with pure fiber, excellent for cloud services and VoIP Phone, and offers good service promises for top plans.
Fiber network is not everywhere, and it might be more expensive over time after a promotion ends.
Which Provider is Right for Your Business?
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- Choose Bell if your business requires symmetrical speeds for large file transfers, cloud backups, and numerous video calls. You are in an area with Bell’s Fiber network, and you want the best reliability and speed.
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- Choose Rogers if you’re a small to medium-sized business that prioritizes fast downloads. You’re looking for affordable prices and bundled services, but Bell’s fiber isn’t available in your area.
Our Final Word: Which One Should You Choose?
The decision between Rogers and Bell business internet comes down to one question: Do you need the most advanced, reliable connection, or do you need one that is widely available and more affordable? Bell, with its strong fiber network, is better for performance and for businesses where consistent uptime and symmetrical speeds are a must. But for many small to medium-sized companies, Rogers offers a solid, widely available choice with reasonable prices and features. The best provider for you is the one that gives you the right mix of speed, reliability, and value for your specific business needs.
Get the Speed & Reliability You Need
Is Rogers or Bell better for business internet?
Based on our deep analysis, Bell generally has a better network for businesses that need high performance because of its symmetrical fiber technology. However, for sheer availability and reasonable prices, Rogers can be the better option, especially for small businesses with basic internet needs.
Which is faster: Bell Fiber or Rogers Ignite?
Does Rogers offer fiber for business?
Yes, Rogers offers dedicated fiber solutions for businesses. This is usually a custom solution for larger companies. It provides symmetrical speeds and offers excellent, promising performance, making it a direct competitor to Bell’s Fiber.
