Canadian wireless speeds faster than in U.S., study says

Urban Canadians have access to consistently faster wireless network speeds than their neighbours in the U.S., according to a study by PC Magazine.

In its first study of Canada's wireless networks, the New-York based online publication said the speeds delivered by the country's three major telecoms - Rogers, Bell, and Telus - were remarkable.

"Urban Canadians can get online fast, often at speeds that would make south-of-the-border Americans green with envy," said the study, released Wednesday.

Rogers had the fastest wireless network followed by Bell and Telus, according to the study, done in August and September in 13 of Canada's largest metropolitan areas.

PC Magazine tested downloads and uploads of data — such as video, apps and photos — but did not test the quality of mobile phone calls.

AT&T's Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network was deemed the fastest in the U.S. in 2013 by PC Magazine.

The study's author noted that Canadian prices for wireless service were higher than the U.S.

"There's no real Canadian equivalent to Sprint or T-Mobile. People with less money are getting a lot less value than if they are in the U.S.," said Sascha Segan.

PC testing was done in Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara region, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Windsor and Ottawa in Ontario, as well as in Montreal and Quebec City, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.