Northwestel Speed Test - Check Internet Speed
Test your Northwestel internet speed in Canada
www.nwtel.caNorthwestel is the primary internet provider for Canada's northern territories, serving approximately 40,000 customers in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and northern British Columbia. Headquartered in Whitehorse, the company offers fibre, cable, DSL, and satellite internet. Test your Northwestel connection to measure actual download, upload, and latency performance.
About Northwestel
Northwestel, established in 1979 and headquartered in Whitehorse, Yukon, is the dominant telecommunications provider in Canada's northern territories. The company is currently a subsidiary of Bell Canada, though Bell has announced plans to sell Northwestel to an Indigenous-led consortium.
Northwestel serves approximately 40,000 customers across Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and parts of northern British Columbia. The company operates over 8,000 km of fibre-optic backbone connecting communities across a service area larger than most European countries.
Northwestel provides internet, television, home phone, and business services in some of the most remote and challenging environments in North America.
Northwestel Plans and Services
Northwestel offers several internet plans across different technologies and price points.
Northwestel internet plans range from $129.95 to $219.95 CAD per month, reflecting the higher costs of northern infrastructure. Internet 50 offers 50/5 Mbps at $129.95. Internet 150 delivers 150/15 Mbps at $149.95.
Internet 300 provides 300/30 Mbps at $199.95. Internet 700 reaches 700/100 Mbps at $219.95. All plans include unlimited data.
Fibre and cable availability varies by community. Remote communities may only have DSL or satellite options with lower speeds and data caps. Northwestel also provides TV, phone, and business services across its northern service area.
Northwestel Internet Plans
| Plan | Speed | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 50 cable | 50 Mbps | $129.95/month |
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| Internet 150 cable | 150 Mbps | $149.95/month |
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| Internet 300 fiber | 300 Mbps | $199.95/month |
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| Internet 700 fiber | 700 Mbps | $219.95/month |
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Prices and availability may vary by location. Contact Northwestel for current offers.
Test Your Northwestel Speed
Run a free speed test to check if Northwestel delivers the speeds you are paying for. Test during peak evening hours for the most realistic results. Compare your results against Northwestel advertised speeds above.
Northwestel Speed Test FAQ
How fast is Northwestel internet?
Northwestel speeds range from 5 Mbps in remote satellite-served communities to 700 Mbps in larger centers with fibre infrastructure. Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit have the fastest speeds with fibre and cable options. Smaller communities may be limited to DSL at 5-25 Mbps or satellite. The company has been expanding fibre infrastructure across the north through government funding programs. Actual speeds depend on your community and available technology. Run a speed test to check your performance.
Why is Northwestel more expensive than southern carriers?
Northwestel's higher prices reflect the extreme costs of building and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure in remote northern environments. The company operates over 8,000 km of fibre backbone across challenging terrain with extreme weather conditions. Many communities are accessible only by air, making equipment delivery expensive. The small customer base of 40,000 subscribers must support infrastructure costs that southern carriers spread across millions of customers. Government subsidies help offset some costs but pricing remains higher than urban Canadian markets.
How do I test my Northwestel speed?
Use the speed test tool on this page to measure your Northwestel download speed, upload speed, and ping latency. Connect via ethernet cable to your modem for accurate results. Satellite customers should expect higher latency around 600ms which is normal for geostationary satellite technology. DSL speeds depend on distance from the central office. Test during evening peak hours to assess congestion in your community. Compare results against your plan's advertised speed tier.
Is Northwestel being sold by Bell?
Bell Canada announced plans to sell Northwestel to an Indigenous-led consortium. The sale is subject to regulatory approval from the CRTC and other authorities. If approved, Northwestel would become the largest Indigenous-owned telecommunications company in Canada. The sale reflects Bell's strategic focus on its core southern markets. During the transition, existing customer services and plans continue without disruption. The Indigenous ownership group has committed to maintaining and improving internet services in northern communities.