Frequently Asked Questions

The difference between cable and DSL Internet services is mainly in the way that the service is delivered. DSL runs through lines typically associated with telephone service, where cable runs through lines typically associated with cable television service. If your current Internet provider is Shaw, you have a cable Internet connection. If your current Internet provider is Telus, there is a good chance you have a DSL connection.

A cable connection runs through coaxial cabling. You are not required to have active cable television service in your home to receive cable Internet service. Cable Internet is a shared service, which means that the line running into your home is a branch of a larger trunk, which also feeds into your neighbour's homes. If the trunk is not wide enough to feed all of the users in your area, you may notice some congestion which leads to slower speeds when everyone is using the service at one time.

Internet speed is measured by how much data the connection can download (download speeds) or upload (upload speeds) per second. For most households, having fast download speeds are what's important. That's what we use for common activities such as streaming TV, downloading music, and browsing social media.

Finding the right speed for your household depends on your Internet usage habits. Speeds of 25 Mbps or above will support most online activity, such as HD streaming, online gaming, web browsing, and downloading music. Internet speeds of 100 Mbps and over are often chosen by those who want their Internet connection to support multiple devices and users at once.

To access Internet service in your home, you will need a modem. To connect multiple devices, or to achieve WiFi service, you will need a router. Some modems are a combination device, which include a built-in router.

Cable: Yes. All of our Internet plans require that you rent or purchase a Q Wave modem. Cable modem prices are listed below. You will also be charged $15 to have the modem shipped to your home.

DSL: Yes. If you do not have a telephone landline with TELUS, what is called a "Dry Loop" would need to be installed ($37.23) and wiring by a technician would be required in and around your home ($250). If you do have a telephone landline with TELUS, the dry loop and wiring fees may not apply. Our Customer Care team will assess your current set up and advise what fees will be required. A monthly ILEC Surcharge (Rate Band) is charged to all DSL customers. The total cost of the monthly ILEC Surcharge is location dependent. Click here for more information. Additionally, all of our Internet plans require that you rent or purchase a Q Wave modem.

Yes, we provide paper bills at a monthly cost of $3.25.

If you qualify as one of the following customer types, please contact our Customer Care team to request free paper bills.

This varies from home to home as you have to take the size of your home and the placement of your router into consideration. If you have a small home or apartment, a budget router may suffice, as the area it needs to cover is smaller. If you have a larger home with multiple levels, you may need a more powerful router, or a WiFi booster to ensure WiFi coverage for your entire home.

Step 1: Don't panic.

Step 2: If you have cable Internet, check to see if Shaw is currently experiencing an outage by clicking here. If you have DSL Internet, check to see if Telus is currently experiencing an outage by clicking here. If there is a current outage in your area, unfortunately all we can do it wait for the outage to be resolved by either Shaw or Telus.

Step 3: Try unplugging your Internet modem from its power source for 30 seconds and then plugging it in again. Allow your modem to reboot, this could take as long as 10 minutes.

System generation will depend on several factors (panel tilt, number of sunshine hours, etc.) so the figures below are approximates based on ideal generation conditions:

Carbon is a commodity, and the market price is based on demand and supply. As the market price for carbon changes, your annual return from the program will adjust accordingly.

Solar Offset and Rewatt Power sell your carbon offset credits into the market each year of the program, returning to system owners a percentage of the market sale rate per credit (see “What are ‘Commission Costs’?” for more information) over the program period.

A variable price aggregator shares in your gains in exchange for market risk.

Solar offset credit prices (“Credit Price”) in Alberta trade from 15 – 30% lower than the federally-regulated price of carbon (“Carbon Price”). For example, the Carbon Price was $65 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO2e) in 2023.

Credit prices fluctuate with market-demand, however, they have increased because the Carbon Price is rising due to environmental mandates and federal pressure. In fact, the Carbon Price is federally mandated to increase $15 per year until it reaches $170 in 2030.

It’s important to note that the value of a carbon credit is not the same as the Carbon Price. Typically, carbon credits sell for roughly 70 – 90% of this amount – although it all depends on market dynamics.

The Commission Costs are split between the Aggregators and us, and cover the administrative burden of managing the program, including the cost of independent third-party audit as required by government.

If you select a variable price through Solar Offset, the Commission Cost varies according to your system size. Find out how much you can make with Solar Offset’s program by completing a no-obligation sign-up to receive an estimate for your system: www.solaroffset.ca/sign-up

If you select a variable price through Rewatt Power for your carbon credits, the Commission Cost is a flat 25%.

Rewatt drives competitive pricing and quality through automation so you must have an inverter or metering device that Rewatt supports. The list of devices that Rewatt supports can be found here.

Our Carbon Offset Credit Platform is partnered with three aggregators: Solar Offset and Rewatt Power. You can make your choice based on Commission Costs, and ease of credit generation and reporting.

If you were previously enrolled under BMO Radicle’s protocol and your contract is now terminated, you can sign up with any of our other Aggregators. We are working with our Aggregators to determine a process you can follow.

More information to come.

With Solar Offset, if you sell your home, either you can terminate the agreement, or you can assign it to the new homeowner to ensure they get value from future offset credits. In either case, you are entitled to receive value from your offset credits generated up to the point of the sale of your property. You simply notify Solar Offset that you have sold your property, provide your new address and system data up to the point of sale, and you'll receive any payment you are due.

With Radicle, if you sell your home, ownership of the credits transfers to Radicle Balance, who will assume ownership of credits generated until the end of the term or until a new agreement is signed with the new homeowners. Payment will only be made to the new homeowners if they sign an agreement with Radicle Balance.