ISED won’t raise high-speed internet standard, says 50/10 Mbps sufficient for Canadian households

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has no plans to raise its standard for high-speed internet as the federal government creeps towards its goal of connecting 100 per cent of households to the service by the end of the decade. ISED defines high speed internet as a minimum of 50/10 megabits per second (Mbps), meaning 50 Mbps download speed, and 10 Mbps upload speed. The CRTC classifies high-speed internet as an essential service for all Canadians, and as the feds aim for 98 per cent connectivity by the end of the year, questions linger about whether the current standard holds up to emerging technologies. When asked whether the government plans to increase its high-speed internet standard, an ISED spokesperson said “the 50/10 Mbps target continues to be relevant and allow Canadians to take advantage of modern applications.” “The bandwidth requirements necessary for meaningful connectivity were evaluated to be capable of supporting activities like conducting business, staying connected, engaging in distance learning, and accessing telehealth,” the statement read. But compared to other jurisdictions, Canada’s policy is stuck in the slow lane. In 2023, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission raised its high-speed broadband standard to 100/20 Mbps, and in 2016, the European Union set its sights on offering all European households access to a minimum of 100 Mbps download speeds. Meanwhile, over the next five years, Singapore is upgrading its nationwide broadband network to bring homes and businesses internet speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps), while it considers 1 Gbps adequate for basic browsing. The U.K. on the other hand, holds much slower standards, classifying a “decent connection” as 10/1 Mbps. According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, streaming 4K video only requires 30/2 Mbps, though it does not specify how many devices can stream simultaneously at that speed. The ISED spokesperson said Canada’s connectivity strategy aims for projects to have greater capacity than the minimum standard, adding that about 80 per cent of projects under the Universal Broadband Fund are capable of providing speeds of 1 Gbps. The statement added that, given Canada’s geography, it compares well against peer countries in terms of 1 Gbps coverage. ISED said it “will continue to monitor the speeds that Canadians require for meaningful participation in the digital economy.” mcollins@thewirereport.ca

ISED won’t raise high-speed internet standard, says 50/10 Mbps sufficient for Canadian households

Regulatory |
By Maria Collins
|June 5, 2026

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ISED won’t raise high-speed internet standard, says 50/10 Mbps sufficient for Canadian households

Regulatory | By Maria Collins |June 5, 2026

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