Having trouble with your internet speeds?
According to a recent survey, you aren't alone. As the number of Canadians working at home has skyrocketed, internet speeds have slowed.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) offers new insight into how technology and internet use has changed in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Widespread school closures, social distancing, and work from home has significantly shifted how Canadians are using the internet to learn, work, and stay connected with friends and family. In fact, the data found that a whopping 52 per cent of Canadians are working form home due to the pandemic. Prior to this, only 7 per cent worked from home. Of those working at home, nearly 44 per cent say they have two or more people working at home. t ho
While working at home, respondents find that the biggest drawback is face-to-face interactions (45 per cent), while a sizeable 27 per cent of respondents have trouble switching off from work at all. 25 per cent of respondents feel they lack the proper equipment to do their jobs.
Not only are people working online and streaming videos, but they are also video and teleconferencing to stay in touch with teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. What's more, nearly one in 10 Canadians have reported reaching their monthly mobile phone data cap since the pandemic began.
For entertainment and downtime, 70 per cent of respondents say they are spending more time streaming TVs and movies, while a third or more (38 per cent) report spending ‘a lot’ more time doing so. Over half (61 per cent) of Canadians report spending more time connecting with friends via video or teleconference.
Now, 38 per cent of survey respondents say their home internet connection is slower than before the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing began. Here in B.C., almost half of respondents say their connection is slower (49 per cent).
"COVID-19 has changed everything. It feels like overnight the entire country had to move their work, schooling, and social calendar online. Over the past few weeks, the power of the internet to connect us has never been more clear, nor more important," writes David Fowler, vice-president, marketing and communications, Canadian Internet Registration Authority.
"The data shows how the country is coping with our massive shift online. There are struggles as Canadians discover that working from home isn't without its pitfalls, but we are also seeing families and friends playing games, hosting video conference parties and connecting online like never before. As Canadians do their part to fight this virus, we hope this data helps shine a light on what folks are doing online during this very unusual time in our country's history."
The survey also found that six-in-ten respondents are making an effort online to support Canadian businesses. However, few Canadians (12 per cent) report that they are shopping primarily from local small businesses.
