Overview: Shaw (Now Rogers Xfinity)
Shaw Communications no longer exists as an independent provider. Rogers completed its $26 billion acquisition of Shaw in April 2023, and all Shaw internet plans are now sold under the Rogers Xfinity brand. The physical cable network is the same one Canadians in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and parts of Ontario have relied on for decades — only the logo on the bill has changed.
For Western Canadians, that means you are now dealing with Rogers’ pricing, Rogers’ customer service reputation, and Rogers’ plan structure. The Shaw network was genuinely well-regarded for its reliability and speed. The Rogers integration has brought some improvements (better WiFi equipment, more speed tiers) but also the baggage Rogers is known for: billing surprises, promotional rates that jump significantly after year one, and customer service that consistently ranks among the worst in Canada.
If you are here because you are a former Shaw customer wondering what changed, or a new customer comparing options in Western Canada, this article covers what the plans look like now, how Rogers/Shaw stacks up against Telus, and what alternatives exist if Rogers is not the right fit. For a full review of Rogers as a national provider, see our Rogers internet review.
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Shaw (Rogers Xfinity) Plans & Pricing (2026)
All Shaw plans are now Rogers Xfinity plans. The prices below reflect typical Western Canada pricing on a 24-month term with autopay discount. Western Canada pricing is often slightly better than Ontario for equivalent plans. Always check rogers.com with your specific address, as pricing varies by province and changes frequently.
24 mo term · Autopay Regular: ~$105/mo after promo
24 mo term · Autopay Regular: ~$115/mo after promo
24 mo term · Autopay Regular: ~$125/mo after promo
24 mo term · Autopay Regular: ~$135/mo after promo
24 mo promo · Autopay Select areas · Premier tier
Pricing varies by province 100–500 Mbps · limited data on lower tiers
Equipment
All Rogers Xfinity plans include a Rogers Xfinity Gateway (WiFi 6) modem and router. If you want WiFi 7, extended mesh coverage, and Storm Ready WiFi (battery backup during power outages), you can add the Xfinity Pro upgrade for $25/mo. This is an optional add-on — it is not included by default on any plan.
Which Plan Do You Actually Need?
Shaw / Rogers Plan Picker
Network Technology
The former Shaw network operates on hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable using DOCSIS 3.1 technology. This is the same type of network Rogers uses in Ontario — fibre optic cable runs to neighbourhood nodes, then coaxial cable carries the signal the final stretch to your home. It delivers fast downloads but has an inherent asymmetry: upload speeds are much lower than downloads. For gamers specifically, see our best internet for gaming in BC and Alberta gaming internet guide.
The upload speed reality
This is the most important thing to understand about Rogers cable in Western Canada. On the 300 Mbps plan, your download is 300 Mbps but your upload is approximately 20 Mbps. On the 1 Gbps plan, upload is around 100 Mbps. Telus PureFibre in the same region delivers symmetrical speeds — a 1 Gbps Telus plan gives you 1 Gbps both ways. If you work from home, do video calls, back up to the cloud, or create any content, this gap matters significantly. See our Bell vs Rogers vs Telus comparison for a full side-by-side breakdown.
5G Home Internet
Rogers also offers 5G Home Internet as a wireless option — no cable required, just a plug-in unit. It starts from $60/mo (pricing varies by province) and offers 100 to 500 Mbps download speeds. It is plug-and-play with no installation required. The lower tiers have data limits, and speeds vary based on 5G signal strength at your location. Best suited as a secondary connection or in areas without cable coverage.
Xfinity Pro (WiFi 7 upgrade)
For $25/mo, the Xfinity Pro add-on upgrades your in-home equipment to a WiFi 7 gateway (DOCSIS 4.0 capable), adds mesh WiFi pods for extended coverage, includes Storm Ready WiFi with battery backup, and gives you front-of-the-line customer support. Worth considering for larger homes or anyone who relies heavily on a stable connection during power outages.
Coverage & Availability
The former Shaw cable network covers five provinces. Coverage is strongest in BC and Alberta — Shaw’s home turf — and thinner in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario.
Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, and most urban and suburban communities across BC have Rogers cable coverage from the former Shaw network. Telus PureFibre is the main competitor in BC and has deep penetration in the Lower Mainland and select Interior communities. In areas where both are available, Telus fibre is generally the superior technical choice. For city-specific guidance, see our Vancouver internet guide and Victoria internet guide.
Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and most Alberta cities and towns have Rogers cable coverage. Alberta is where Shaw started in 1966 and where the network is deepest. Telus PureFibre competes strongly in Calgary and Edmonton. In many Alberta communities, Rogers cable and Telus fibre both reach the same streets — check both providers at your specific address. See our Calgary internet guide for a local breakdown.
Regina, Saskatoon, and major Saskatchewan cities have Rogers cable coverage. However, SaskTel is the dominant and locally owned provider in Saskatchewan with extensive fibre coverage across the province. For most Saskatchewan residents, SaskTel is worth comparing directly before committing to Rogers. See our Saskatoon internet guide for a city-specific comparison.
Winnipeg and surrounding communities have Rogers coverage from the former Shaw network. Bell (formerly Bell MTS) provides fibre competition in Winnipeg and other Manitoba centres. Rogers cable is a viable option in Winnipeg, but check Bell’s fibre availability — the upload speed difference is significant for work-from-home users.
Rogers has cable coverage in select Northern Ontario communities including Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Simcoe, and Goderich, largely from Shaw’s acquisition of Amtelecom and other local cable operators. These are smaller markets where Rogers cable may be one of only a few high-speed options. Rogers is also investing $125 million in rural Ontario fibre through the provincial Accelerated High Speed Internet Program, including a project on the Bruce Peninsula launching spring 2026.
Rogers (Shaw) vs Telus: The Main Western Canada Decision
For most Western Canadians where both providers are available, this is the comparison that matters. Telus PureFibre and Rogers cable (the former Shaw network) are direct competitors across BC and Alberta.
| Feature | Rogers (Shaw) | Telus PureFibre |
|---|---|---|
| Network type | HFC cable (DOCSIS 3.1) | FTTH fibre (XGS-PON) |
| Symmetrical uploads? | No — ~10 to 200 Mbps up | Yes — upload = download |
| Max download speed | 2 Gbps (select areas) | Up to 5 Gbps |
| Max upload speed | ~200 Mbps | Up to 5 Gbps (symmetrical) |
| Peak hour congestion | Yes (shared cable node) | Minimal (dedicated fibre) |
| Customer satisfaction | 1.3/5 Trustpilot · #1 CCTS complaints | 3.0–3.5/5 · far fewer complaints |
| Coverage in SK & MB | Broader (Rogers covers more) | Limited outside BC/AB |
| Pricing (~1 Gbps) | ~$110/mo promo | ~$95–$105/mo promo |
| Contract required? | No (but best price = 24 mo term) | No (but best price = 24 mo term) |
| Discount brand | None (Fido Internet ended 2024) | Koodo Internet, Public Mobile |
The bottom line: Where Telus PureFibre is available, it is the stronger technical product. Symmetrical speeds, dedicated fibre connections that do not slow down during peak hours, and better customer satisfaction ratings all favour Telus. Rogers cable competes on promotional pricing and broader coverage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. If you are in BC or Alberta and Telus fibre reaches your address, it deserves serious consideration before defaulting to Rogers. Use our internet cost calculator to compare monthly costs side by side.
Rogers (Shaw) vs Third-Party Resellers
Third-party resellers like TekSavvy, Start.ca, and Carry Telecom use the same Rogers cable infrastructure in Western Canada. You get the same download and upload speeds on the same physical network — but typically with lower prices, better customer service, and more transparent billing.
| Feature | Rogers Direct | TekSavvy / Start.ca |
|---|---|---|
| Network infrastructure | Rogers cable | Same Rogers cable |
| ~300 Mbps pricing | ~$90/mo promo ($115 regular) | Often $60–$75/mo, stable pricing |
| Customer service | #1 CCTS complaints in Canada | Significantly better reputation |
| Billing surprises | Frequent — well documented | Less common |
| Max speed tiers | Up to 2 Gbps | Typically up to 1 Gbps |
| TV/mobile bundling | Full suite available | Internet only |
| Modem | Included (Xfinity Gateway) | May need to purchase own (~$100) |
| Contract required | No (24 mo for best price) | No contracts at all |
For most households that do not need bundling or the absolute fastest speeds, a reseller offers the same network experience with meaningfully better customer service and often lower long-term costs. The tradeoff is that you may need to buy your own modem and lose access to the 2 Gbps tier and Rogers TV/mobile bundles. In rural areas where cable does not reach, Starlink satellite internet is worth exploring.
Shaw’s History: From Edmonton Cable to $26 Billion Acquisition
Shaw was founded in 1966 as Capital Cable Television Co. Ltd. in Edmonton, Alberta, by J.R. Shaw. Starting as a single cable TV franchise serving Edmonton’s eastern suburbs, the company grew through decades of acquisitions — Halifax Cablevision, Videon Cablesystems, Amtelecom, and others — eventually becoming Canada’s second-largest cable company and the dominant telecommunications provider across Western Canada.
Key milestones: Shaw introduced Western Canadians to internet service in 1996. It launched home phone service in 2005, breaking Bell’s long-standing monopoly on residential telephone in parts of the region. In 2016, Shaw acquired Wind Mobile (later rebranded Freedom Mobile), expanding into wireless. At its peak, Shaw reported revenues of approximately $4.4 billion annually and served over 3 million customers.
Rogers completed the acquisition in April 2023 for approximately $26 billion — the largest telecommunications merger in Canadian history. As a condition of regulatory approval, Freedom Mobile was sold to Quebecor’s Vidéotron. J.R. Shaw, who founded the company at age 32 in 1966, passed away on March 21, 2020, at age 85, before seeing the company he built absorbed by its longtime rival. His son Brad Shaw led the company through the merger.
Customer Service: What Changed After the Merger
Shaw had a reasonably positive customer service reputation, particularly among long-term customers in Alberta and BC. That changed after the Rogers merger. Rogers leads all Canadian telecoms in CCTS complaints for three consecutive years — in the 2024–2025 report, 6,485 complaints were accepted against Rogers/Shaw combined, representing 27% of all complaints nationally. Complaints are up 16% year over year.
Former long-term Shaw customers have been among the most vocal about the deterioration. Common issues include billing surprises, promotional rates not being honoured after transitions, extremely long hold times, and difficulty resolving issues that Shaw’s local teams previously handled efficiently.
Pros and Cons
What Rogers (Shaw) Does Well
- Fast download speeds — among the best available in Western Canada
- Unlimited data on all wired plans, no overage charges
- Xfinity Gateway (WiFi 6) included on all plans
- Wide coverage across BC, AB, SK, MB, and Northern ON
- Full service bundling: internet, TV, mobile, home security
- 5G Home Internet option for areas without cable
- Strong retention deals available if you negotiate — see our home internet guide for tips
Where Rogers (Shaw) Falls Short
- Upload speeds much lower than Telus fibre
- Prices jump $25–$45/mo after promotional period ends
- #1 in CCTS complaints — service deteriorated post-merger
- No discount flanker brand (Fido Internet ended 2024)
- Mid-contract price increases ($7–$10/mo hike March 2026)
- Peak-hour congestion on cable in dense neighbourhoods
- True fibre-to-the-home only available in select areas
How to Save Money on Rogers (Shaw) Internet
Negotiate when your promo expires. Call Rogers and say you are considering switching to Telus. Their retention team can offer renewed promotional rates. Mentioning a specific Telus offer you have seen gets faster results. Customers in BC and Alberta regularly report getting 1 Gbps plans for $60–$75/mo through retention — well below the listed price.
Check Western Canada–specific pricing. Plans in BC, AB, SK, and MB are sometimes priced better than what Rogers shows nationally. Always enter your actual address on rogers.com to see what is available at your location.
Consider a third-party reseller. TekSavvy and Start.ca use the same Rogers cable network with simpler pricing, no billing surprises, and better customer service. You may need to buy your own modem (~$100 one-time) but will likely save money over 2+ years.
Skip the Xfinity Pro unless you need it. The $25/mo WiFi 7 upgrade is worth it for large homes or heavy users, but for a typical household in a 2-bedroom apartment, the included WiFi 6 gateway is sufficient. Do not let sales staff upsell you on it by default.
Stack the autopay discount. Autopay saves $10/mo on Rogers plans. Set it and forget it — but still check your bill every month for unexpected charges, as Rogers billing errors are well documented. While you are at it, run our Canadian internet speed test to confirm you are actually getting the speeds you are paying for.