FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about WestNet's wireless internet, coverage, pricing, and services in Calgary.

General

About WestNet

What is WestNet Wireless?
WestNet Wireless is a local Calgary company that operates one of Canada's longest-running city-wide Wi-Fi networks, covering over 30 square kilometers. We were the first in Canada to deploy a municipal-scale wireless internet network, and we continue to expand our coverage across Calgary and surrounding areas.
What does WestNet charge?
WestNet offers a range of plans from free community Wi-Fi to high-speed paid services. Paid plans provide faster speeds, higher quality of service, and dedicated bandwidth. Visit our pricing page for current plan details.
How do I connect to WestNet Wi-Fi?
Search for a wireless network (SSID) starting with "WestNet" followed by your community, building, or area name. If you're unsure about coverage at your location, check our coverage map or submit your address for a manual check.
How many users does WestNet serve?
WestNet has served tens of thousands of users across Calgary since our network launched. We've grown from 10,000 users in 2009 to serving communities, businesses, hotels, and events across the city.
Technical

Speed, Coverage & Technology

What speeds can I expect?
WestNet offers speeds up to 100 Mbps depending on your plan and signal strength. Our connections are backed by a 100 Gb fibre optic backbone on the Verizon network. Unlike many competitors, WestNet speeds are symmetrical — you can upload and download at the same speed.
Why are symmetrical speeds important?
Most ISPs throttle upload speeds heavily. If you need to send large files, run video calls, stream, or back up data to the cloud, your upload speed matters as much as download. WestNet's symmetrical speeds mean a large video file that would take hours to upload on a typical connection can be sent in minutes.
Do you offer US-based IP addresses?
Yes. WestNet can provide a US-terminated IP address right here in Calgary — no VPN required. This is ideal for accessing US-based streaming services, business applications, and other geo-restricted content.
Is there coverage in my area?
Coverage depends on line-of-sight to our towers and infrastructure. We serve downtown Calgary, the Beltline, and many surrounding neighborhoods. View our coverage map or submit your address for a free check.
Can I run a speed test?
Yes. Visit speedtest.westnet.ca to test your current connection performance at any time.
History

Why WestNet Was Created

Why was the WestNet Wi-Fi network created?
By consumer demand. In Calgary, like most major Canadian cities, consumers historically had only two choices for internet — TELUS or Shaw Cable. This duopoly meant Calgarians paid some of the highest rates in the world for high-speed internet. WestNet was created to offer a real alternative with competitive pricing, faster speeds, and local ownership.
How long has WestNet been operating?
WestNet has been providing wireless internet in Calgary since 2002, making us one of the longest-running wireless ISPs in Canada. We launched Canada's first city-scale Wi-Fi network and have been expanding ever since. View our full timeline.
Business & Partnerships

Working With WestNet

I'm a business — can I get WestNet internet?
Absolutely. We offer dedicated business wireless internet plans with point-to-point connections, SLAs, and priority support. We also provide business telephone (VOIP), web hosting, and VPN services.
I'm an investor or vendor — who do I contact?
Visit our partner evaluation page or email partners@westnet.ca. We actively partner with hardware manufacturers, software companies, system integrators, and startups.
I'm a property owner — can I bring WestNet to my building?
Yes. We work with commercial and residential property owners to deploy WestNet internet for tenants and to place infrastructure on rooftops. Visit our property page or email provisioning@westnet.ca.

Still have questions? Call us or use our contact form.

Call 403-774-7470 Contact Support