The number to aim for: 30 Mbps at the device
Live TV needs at least 30 Mbps reaching the TV or box you watch on. That's the key part — not the speed on the plan you pay for, and not the speed in the room where your modem sits, but the speed at the device itself.
Any Toronto home internet plan that delivers that speed works, whether it's cable, fibre or condo Wi-Fi. A fast plan can still produce a weak signal in a back bedroom, so it's always worth measuring where you actually watch.
How to test your speed with fast.com
The test takes about a minute and you don't need to install anything. Use the browser on the same device you watch on, so you're measuring the connection that really matters.
If your TV or box doesn't have a browser, stand right beside it with your phone on the same Wi-Fi network and run the test there. It won't be exact, but it gives you a good idea.
- Open the web browser on your TV, streaming box or Firestick.
- Go to fast.com and let it finish — the number it shows is your download speed in Mbps.
- Run it once while nobody else is streaming, and once during your busy evening hours.
- Write both numbers down so you can compare them later.
What to do if you're under 30 Mbps
A low result doesn't always mean you need a bigger internet plan. Most of the time something between the modem and the TV is slowing things down, and that's usually fixable at home.
Work through these in order and re-test with fast.com after each change, so you can see what helped.
- Run a network cable from your router to the TV or box. A wired connection is the single biggest improvement for most homes.
- If you must use Wi-Fi, move the box closer to the router or move the router away from walls, metal shelves and other electronics.
- Pause big downloads, game updates and other streams while you test.
- Restart your modem, router and streaming device, then test again.
- If the speed is still low everywhere in the home, it's worth asking your internet provider about the connection or your plan.
Speed isn't the only thing that affects the picture
Once you have enough speed, two other things make a real difference: the app you use and the device you use it on. We recommend IPTV Smarters Pro, TiviMate, MYTVOnline, STB Emulator Pro and Smart STB. Other apps may work, but we can't fix problems caused by the app itself.
Older devices with little memory can stutter even on a strong connection. If you'd rather not sort through options, we sell the XTV Air Pro at $165 plus tax with a 1-year warranty, and it arrives already set up.
Still freezing after all that?
If the picture still stops or keeps loading, our step-by-step guide at tdot-media.com/tutorials/buffering walks through the usual causes in more detail. If only one channel shows a black screen while everything else plays fine, tdot-media.com/tutorials/black-screen covers that instead.
You can also reach us any time. Email support@tdot-media.com, or call or text 647-424-4070 — an assistant answers right away and our tech team replies by email.
Test it on your own connection first
The simplest way to know whether your home is ready is to try it where you watch. Every new household can take a free 24-hour trial at tdot-media.com/trial, with no card needed.
Run fast.com on your TV, then watch for an evening and see how it holds up. If you decide to carry on, plans start at $13 a month plus HST, with no contracts.
Common questions
Why does my internet plan say it's fast, but my TV still buffers?+
Plan speed is measured at the modem, not at your TV. Walls, distance and other devices on the Wi-Fi can cut it down a lot by the time it reaches the back of the house. Test with fast.com on the device you watch on to see the real number.
Do I need a special internet plan for live TV?+
No. Any Toronto home internet plan that delivers at least 30 Mbps to your TV or box will work — cable, fibre or condo Wi-Fi are all fine.
Does a network cable really help that much?+
Yes. A wired connection from your router to the TV or box is the most reliable fix for freezing and buffering, because it avoids Wi-Fi interference altogether.
Can I check all this before I pay anything?+
You can. Every new household gets a free 24-hour trial at tdot-media.com/trial with no card needed, so you can test your speed and the picture on your own setup first.