Bell and Cogeco are two of Ontario and Quebec's primary wired fibre internet providers, and for many households in those provinces they are the two most relevant options to compare. Bell operates its Fibe network across Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Manitoba, offering plans from 50 Mbps up to 8 Gbps symmetrical with Wi-Fi 7 equipment included. Cogeco serves Ontario and Quebec exclusively using its own last-mile fibre infrastructure, with UltraFibre plans starting at $49.99/month on a 24-month promotional rate and a free modem included. Both providers compete directly in key Ontario and Quebec markets, making plan pricing, upload speed, contract terms, and equipment the deciding factors for most customers. This page covers plans, pricing, speeds, coverage, contract details, equipment, and more to help you find the better fit in 2026.
Plans and pricing
Bell offers home Fibe plans in Quebec starting at $70/month for Fibe 150 (no contract) and in Ontario starting at $75/month for Fibe 150 (24-month term), with Wi-Fi 7 equipment included on all plans. Cogeco offers UltraFibre plans starting at $49.99/month in both Ontario and Quebec on a 24-month promotional rate, with a free modem included. The plan cards below show representative fibre plans from each provider, with Ontario and Quebec pricing shown where they differ.
Cogeco holds a clear pricing advantage at most tiers during the promotional period. In Quebec, Cogeco UltraFibre 60 starts at $49.99/month versus Bell Fibe 150 at $70/month -- Cogeco delivers faster symmetrical 60/60 Mbps at a lower price than Bell's comparable 150/150 Mbps tier. At the gigabit level in Quebec, Cogeco UltraFibre 1000 is $59.99/month for 1 Gbps symmetrical, compared to Bell Gigabit Fibe 1.5 at $80/month for 1500/940 Mbps (no contract). In Ontario at the gigabit tier, Cogeco UltraFibre 1Gig is $69.99/month versus Bell Gigabit Fibe 1.5 at $95/month. Bell extends beyond 1 Gbps with 3 Gbps and 8 Gbps symmetrical tiers that Cogeco does not offer. Bell includes Wi-Fi 7 equipment on all plans; Cogeco includes a free modem rental.
Network and coverage
Both Bell and Cogeco operate their own last-mile fibre infrastructure in Ontario and Quebec, meaning they are direct competitors in those provinces with no shared network dependency. Bell extends beyond Ontario and Quebec into Atlantic Canada and Manitoba through Bell MTS, whereas Cogeco serves Ontario and Quebec exclusively. For customers in ON and QC, both providers may be available depending on address; outside those provinces, Bell is the only option between the two. Coverage figures below are provider-reported.
Bell has the broader geographic footprint, serving customers in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Manitoba. Cogeco is limited to Ontario and Quebec, but within those provinces it operates entirely on its own last-mile infrastructure. Both providers deliver symmetrical speeds across their fibre plans. Bell extends to 8 Gbps tiers that Cogeco does not offer; Cogeco tops out at 1 Gbps symmetrical. For customers outside Ontario and Quebec, Bell is the only option between the two. Always confirm availability at your specific address before assuming coverage.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Bell | Cogeco |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (home fibre) | $70/mo (Fibe 150 - QC, no contract); $75/mo (Fibe 150 - ON, 24 months) | $49.99/mo (UltraFibre 60 - ON or QC, 24 months) |
| Entry-level fibre speed | 150/150 Mbps (ON and QC) | 60/60 Mbps (QC and ON) |
| Mid-tier value (approx. 300-360 Mbps) | $90/mo for 300/300 Mbps (ON, 24 months) | $54.99/mo for 360/360 Mbps (QC); $84.99/mo for 360/360 Mbps (ON) |
| Gigabit-tier price | $95/mo for 1500/940 Mbps (ON, 24 months); $80/mo for 1500/940 Mbps (QC, no contract) | $59.99/mo for 1000/1000 Mbps (QC); $69.99/mo for 1000/1000 Mbps (ON) |
| Top residential speed | 8,000 Mbps (ON and QC) | 1,000 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | Symmetrical on most fibre plans | Symmetrical on all fibre plans |
| Data cap | Unlimited (all Fibe plans) | Unlimited (all UltraFibre plans) |
| Price lock guarantee | Yes — price guaranteed for 2 years on all ON Fibe plans | Not advertised |
| Contract options | No contract (all QC plans); 24 months with price lock (all ON plans) | 24 months (promotional rate) |
| Installation fee | $0 self-install; $0 pro install if self-install unavailable; $150 if self-install declined | Free professional installation when ordered online |
| Equipment | Wi-Fi 7 included (all Fibe plans) | Free modem rental included (all UltraFibre plans) |
| Termination fee | Not specified | Up to $75/service (not applicable in Quebec) |
| Provinces served | ON, QC, Atlantic Canada, MB (Bell MTS) | ON and QC only |
| Bundle discounts | Yes (with Bell Mobility and Bell TV) | Yes ($10/mo discount when bundled with Cogeco mobile) |
| Sign-up perk | 25,000 Aeroplan points (ON plans); 10,000 Aeroplan points when ordering online (QC plans) | Up to $25 bonus bill credit for 2 months (select QC plans) |
| Languages supported | English and French | English and French |
| Outage checker | Available via Bell website | Available at cogeco.ca/en/support/outages |
| Customer rating (Topicks.ca) | 2.4 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
Contract and pricing details
Bell contract terms differ by province. In Ontario, all wired Fibe plans -- Fibe 150, Fibe 500, Gigabit Fibe 1.5, Gigabit Fibe 3.0, and Gigabit Fibe 8.0 -- are on 24-month terms at the promotional rate. In Quebec, all Fibe plans are available on a no-contract basis: Fibe 150 ($70/mo, was $80), Fibe 500 ($78/mo, was $83), Gigabit Fibe 1.5 ($80/mo, was $90), Gigabit Fibe 3.0 ($85/mo, was $100), and Gigabit Fibe 8.0 ($100/mo, was $130). All QC plans include 10,000 Aeroplan points when ordering online as a sign-up incentive. Ontario plans include a price guarantee for 2 years, meaning the promotional rate is locked for the full 24-month term: Fibe 150 ($75/mo, was $90), Fibe 500 ($90/mo, was $105), Gigabit Fibe 1.5 ($95/mo, was $110), Gigabit Fibe 3.0 ($100/mo, was $115), and Gigabit Fibe 8.0 ($130/mo, was $160). Ontario plans also include 25,000 Aeroplan points as a sign-up incentive.
Cogeco UltraFibre plans are priced at a 24-month promotional rate in both Ontario and Quebec. Pricing varies by province -- for example, UltraFibre 360 is $54.99/month in Quebec versus $84.99/month in Ontario, and UltraFibre 1000 is $59.99/month in Quebec versus $69.99/month (UltraFibre 1Gig) in Ontario. Post-promotional pricing is not specified in available plan data; customers should confirm the rate that applies after the 24-month term directly with Cogeco. A $5/month pre-authorized debit discount applies on most plans. A termination fee of up to $75 per service applies to customers who cancel before the end of the promotional period; this fee does not apply in Quebec. Cogeco does not advertise a price lock guarantee.
Equipment and installation
Bell includes Wi-Fi 7 equipment on all home Fibe plans in Ontario and Quebec. Bell offers self-installation at no charge. If self-installation is not available at your address, professional installation is also provided at no charge. However, if you decline self-installation when it is offered to you, a $150 professional installation fee applies. Additional equipment rental or purchase terms should be confirmed directly with Bell.
Cogeco includes a free modem rental (WiFi Modem AC wave 2) on all UltraFibre plans at no additional monthly charge. Free professional installation and activation is provided when the plan is ordered online. Customers should confirm installation terms for orders placed through other channels directly with Cogeco.
Perks and add-ons
Bell includes Wi-Fi 7 equipment on all Fibe plans in Ontario and Quebec. Ontario Fibe plans include 25,000 Aeroplan points as a sign-up incentive, plus a price guarantee for 2 years on all ON plans. Quebec Fibe plans include 10,000 Aeroplan points when ordering online as a sign-up incentive. Bundling with Bell Mobility or Bell TV can provide additional monthly savings. Bell Freedom mobile data plans ($30 to $150/month) are available as a wireless internet alternative for customers outside the wired Fibe footprint.
Cogeco includes a free modem rental on all UltraFibre plans. Free professional installation and activation is available when ordered online. A $10/month bundle discount applies when a Cogeco internet plan is paired with a Cogeco mobile plan. Select Quebec plans include a $25 bonus bill credit for 2 months. A $5/month pre-authorized debit discount applies on most plans. Cogeco supports both English and French, and provides an outage checker at cogeco.ca/en/support/outages.
Customer support
Both Bell and Cogeco offer phone support, online chat, and in-person store locations. Bell adds a self-serve app and online account portal. Cogeco holds a significantly higher customer rating on Topicks.ca at 4.0/5 versus Bell at 2.4/5 -- a meaningful gap that reflects notably higher satisfaction among Cogeco customers in reviewer feedback.
Who should choose which?
- You live outside Ontario or Quebec -- Bell is the only option between the two in Atlantic Canada and Manitoba, where Cogeco does not operate
- You need speeds above 1 Gbps -- Bell offers 3 Gbps and 8 Gbps symmetrical tiers that Cogeco does not match
- You want Wi-Fi 7 equipment included with your internet plan rather than an older modem standard
- You are in Quebec and want a no-contract fibre plan -- Bell QC plans including Fibe 50, Fibe 150, Fibe 500, and Gigabit Fibe tiers are all available without a term commitment
- You want to earn 25,000 Aeroplan points as a sign-up incentive on select Ontario or Quebec plans
- You prefer a provider with a broader retail presence and a self-serve app
- You live in Ontario or Quebec within a Cogeco service area -- Cogeco is available only in these two provinces, so address-level availability should be confirmed first
- You want the lowest promotional pricing -- Cogeco UltraFibre starts at $49.99/month in both Ontario and Quebec, significantly underpricing Bell at equivalent or faster speeds
- You want symmetrical gigabit speeds at a lower price -- Cogeco UltraFibre 1000 in Quebec is $59.99/month versus Bell Gigabit Fibe 1.5 at $80/month in Quebec, and in Ontario Cogeco UltraFibre 1Gig is $69.99/month versus Bell at $95/month
- You want free professional installation when ordering online, with no risk of an unexpected $150 installation fee
- You have or plan to get a Cogeco mobile plan and want to save $10/month on internet through bundling
- Customer satisfaction matters -- Cogeco holds a 4.0/5 rating on Topicks.ca compared to Bell at 2.4/5
- You are in Quebec and want to avoid a termination fee -- Cogeco does not charge cancellation fees in Quebec
Cogeco wins on pricing, customer satisfaction, and value at most speed tiers, offering UltraFibre plans starting at $49.99/month with fully symmetrical speeds, a free modem, free professional installation online, and a 4.0/5 customer rating well above the Canadian telecom average. In both Ontario and Quebec, Cogeco delivers comparable or faster symmetrical speeds at substantially lower promotional prices than Bell at nearly every tier up to 1 Gbps. Bell wins on geographic reach, top-end speeds, equipment quality, and no-contract flexibility in Quebec, serving Atlantic Canada and Manitoba where Cogeco does not operate, offering 3 Gbps and 8 Gbps symmetrical tiers that Cogeco cannot match, including Wi-Fi 7 on all plans, and providing no-contract terms on all Quebec Fibe plans. For customers in Ontario or Quebec where both providers compete, Cogeco is the stronger value choice for most households; Bell is better suited to those who need speeds above 1 Gbps, want no-contract flexibility in Quebec, or prefer Wi-Fi 7 equipment.
View the Bell internet coverage map and Cogeco internet coverage map on Topicks.ca to check service availability in your area.
