10 11 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca October 2025 TOP: NOLAN - ADOBE STOCK BARN & BROADBAND: DOES YOUR INTERNET WORK AS HARD AS YOU DO? ARTICLE BY JEFF BUELL For many small farm operators across rural Canada these days, internet service can still feel like a stubborn old tractor: slow to start, unreliable and prone to breakdowns. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. More than one in five rural households still don’t meet the basic CRTC target of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed. And while governments and internet service providers (ISPs) are working to close the gap, there’s something you can do right now to take control of your connection: run a test! WHY START WITH THE CIRA IPT? Running a farm today means being online, whether it’s checking weather forecasts, selling products through e-commerce platforms, or using precision agriculture tools. So, if your internet is slacking, it can be bad for business! The Internet Performance Test (IPT) is a free, easyto-use tool developed by CIRA, the national not-forprofit managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. The test is designed to give you a clear picture of how your internet is actually performing and not just what your provider advertises. Unlike many speed tests, the IPT measures performance beyond your provider’s local network, reflecting real-world conditions like uploading farm records to government portals or joining online training sessions. And here’s the best part: every test you run contributes to a national database that helps identify gaps in rural connectivity. Your results don’t just help you, they help your community and other underserved regions across Canada push for better service. You can run the test anytime at performance.cira.ca. Make it your default tool for checking internet speed— it’s accurate, transparent and built with Canadian users in mind. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TESTS To make sure your results are meaningful, here are a few quick tips: • Use a wired connection if possible. Plug your computer directly into your router with an Ethernet cable to eliminate WiFi interference. If that isn’t practical, get as close to your router as possible. • Pause other activities. Ask family members to hold off on streaming or uploading files during the test and close any programs running on your device. • Test at different times. Internet speeds often dip in the evening when more people are online. Running tests at various times helps you spot patterns. Once you’ve run a few tests, you’ll have a clearer picture of your connection and whether it’s time to make changes. WHAT MIGHT BE SLOWING YOU DOWN? If your results are lower than expected, your internet provider might not be the only factor. Here are some common culprits that you should be aware of: • Too many devices online. A typical household might have smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and even connected farm equipment, all competing for bandwidth. • Outdated equipment. Routers older than four or five years may not support modern speeds. The same goes for older laptops and phones. • Connection type. Farms often rely on copper lines, unlicensed wireless, or satellite services. While these can work well, trees, hills, distance and wet weather can degrade the signal occasionally. • Weak WiFi coverage. In large farmhouses or outbuildings, a weak signal from your router can feel like slow internet. A WiFi extender or repositioning your router might help. Checking these factors can sometimes solve slowdowns without needing to call your provider. STILL SLOW? HERE’S WHAT TO DO If your connection still isn’t cutting it, here are a few steps to take: • Keep running tests on the IPT. Track your speeds over time in your profile and compare them to your plan. Look for patterns; do things slow down at certain times of day or during bad weather? • Restart your modem and router. A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches. • Upgrade your equipment. If your router can’t handle your plan’s speed, ask your provider for a replacement or visit a local tech store. • Limit device use. Disconnect non-essential devices and schedule farm-related online tasks during offpeak hours. • Contact your ISP. Share your IPT results and ask for support. Sometimes switching to a higher- speed plan or a different provider can make a big difference if alternatives exist in your community. Local and regional Internet Service Providers have deep connections to communities and have been working for years to try and improve access. In the past few years, we’ve seen 5G wireless and lowearth orbit satellite services expanding across rural Canada while governments are investing heavily in rural broadband infrastructure, especially fibre, so options are improving every year. A STRONGER CONNECTION WHERE IT MATTERS MOST Reliable internet isn’t a luxury for small farms; it’s essential infrastructure. It helps you stay competitive, connected and informed. Because better internet means better farming, CIRA is proud to invest the revenue generated through .CA domains to offer the IPT to all Canadians as part of our Net Good program. Let’s work together to make sure rural Canada gets the connection it deserves. Jeff Buell is a longtime Small Farm Canada subscriber and Internet Performance Test Program Manager at CIRA. RURAL ACCESS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=