oxio vs. Telus
TELUS added $5 a month to select month-to-month internet plans in March 2026, avoidable by signing a two-year term. oxio has no term contract to sign in the first place.
Published · Updated : Added sourced facts, public reviews and complaint data.
What's actually different
- TELUS: +$5/month in March 2026 unless you sign two years
- Koodo, Start.ca and Altima are TELUS brands
- oxio: no term contract, $0 setup, modem lent
The price increase that nudges you into a contract
In March 2026 TELUS added $5 a month to select month-to-month internet and Optik TV plans. The way to avoid it, according to TELUS, was to sign a new two-year term [1]. That's the loop we'd rather not be in: stay flexible and pay more, or lock in to keep the price.
TELUS was also the brand whose complaints grew fastest at the CCTS last year, up 77.9% [2]. The TELUS group includes Koodo, Public Mobile, Start.ca and Altima Telecom [2].
Where oxio fits
oxio has no term contract to begin with [6], so there's nothing to sign to protect your price. Setup is $0 for activation, installation and shipping, and the modem is lent at no charge [5]. It runs on rented cable networks: Cogeco, Vidéotron, or Rogers from BC to Manitoba and in Ontario [4].
If you're in Alberta or BC on TELUS fibre, check oxio's price at your address and compare it to your current TELUS rate after the increase, not the rate you signed up at.
TELUS vs. oxio, sourced
| What | The facts |
|---|---|
| 2026 price change | +$5/month on select month-to-month internet and Optik TV plans from March 2026; avoidable by signing a new two-year term. [1] |
| Complaints (CCTS, Aug. 2024 – July 2025) | 4,904 accepted complaints, 20.7% of the national total, up 77.9% year over year. [2] |
| Brands in the TELUS group | TELUS, Koodo, Public Mobile, Start.ca, Altima Telecom and others. [2] |
| oxio's side | No term contract; $0 activation, installation and shipping; modem lent; rented cable networks. [4][5][6] |
What customers say publicly
- Trustpilot1.2 / 5(2,891 reviews) Themes: unexpected bill increases and extra charges, long waits for help, and internet and mobile outages. [3]
Sources
- MobileSyrup: TELUS increasing some internet and TV prices by $5 (Jan. 12, 2026)
- CCTS Annual Report 2024–25: Working with service providers
- Trustpilot: TELUS reviews
- oxio: Ground rules (networks, guarantee, fees)
- oxio Help Centre: activation, shipping and equipment fees
- oxio: Internet plans and FAQ
Researched by Simon. Last checked: . Facts are checked against the linked sources on the date shown. Prices and policies change, so confirm with the provider before you decide. Opinions are ours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Switching From Telus
The practical stuff, answered.
oxio sells in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, over Cogeco, Vidéotron or Rogers cable depending on the area. It isn't available in Atlantic Canada. Enter your address on oxio's site to see the plans at your exact address.
Get Your Free Monthoxio lists $0 for activation, installation and shipping, and lends you the modem at no charge. What you may owe Telus depends on your current agreement, so check its end date and any equipment you need to return.
Get Your Free MonthUsually just a few days from signup to being online. Keep your Telus service active until oxio is confirmed working, then cancel — that avoids any gap in your internet.
Get Your Free MonthReturn it through Telus's own process once you've cancelled — oxio ships you its own equipment regardless, so there's no overlap or workaround needed.
Get Your Free MonthReady to leave Telus behind?
Get your first month free when you sign up with oxio using this referral code.