IPTV Burnaby

Burnaby sits right next to Vancouver, on its eastern side, but it’s a separate city with its own plan for growth. That plan centres on four town centres: Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed and Edmonds, which the City plans around higher-density housing such as towers. The 2021 census counted 249,125 Burnaby residents, up 7.0% in five years, faster than Vancouver’s 4.9%. For streaming TV, the useful local fact is how many companies own fibre here. Burnaby has an unusually crowded fibre map, and it changes what you can choose and what you should check. Here’s how it works, and what Boom TV needs to run well on your connection.

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Four town centres, one city

The City of Burnaby describes Metrotown as its regional city centre and downtown. Brentwood, Lougheed and Edmonds are municipal town centres. The City calls each one a self-sufficient yet connected community, and lists towers, mid-sized walk-ups and townhouses among the higher-density housing on offer.

Burnaby was a district municipality for about a century before it became a city in 1992. Towers, walk-ups and detached houses don’t all get their internet the same way, so a friend’s connection across town tells you about their line, not yours.

Who owns the wires in Burnaby

Two big networks reach across the city:

• Rogers, formerly Shaw. Rogers completed its purchase of Shaw on 3 April 2023, and says its own brand will become more prevalent over time. If you still see Shaw on a bill or a modem, it’s the same network. Rogers’ Burnaby page describes fibre to the neighbourhood with coaxial cable into the home, and says fibre-to-the-home plans appear at an address once they become available there.
• Telus, with fibre-to-the-home and DSL. Telus’s Burnaby page notes that its fibre is not available in all areas, and that it offers DSL where fibre hasn’t reached.

An independent coverage map built from CRTC network-owner filings splits Burnaby into 11 zones. It lists Telus fibre and DSL in all 11, and it also lists the former Shaw network as a fibre-to-the-home owner in 10 of the 11. Rogers’ own page and that coverage map describe the network differently. So if fibre matters to you, ask Rogers what technology actually serves your address.

Nine fibre owners in eleven zones

That coverage map lists nine companies as fibre-to-the-home owners in Burnaby. That’s a lot for one city. Besides Telus and the former Shaw network, they include:

• Novus, a Vancouver-based company that runs fibre into apartment and condo buildings across Metro Vancouver, listed in 8 of the 11 zones.
• Urban Fiber, listed in 4 zones, and Beanfield, listed in 3.
• Four smaller owners, each listed in one or two zones.

If you live in a tower, your building may have its own fibre provider alongside the big two. Resellers also sell plans over these networks under their own names. Boom TV works the same on all of them. It’s an app on your TV device, so nothing is installed on the line and nothing changes on your internet account.

How much speed you actually need

Boom TV’s recommended speeds, per stream:

That coverage map lists Burnaby DSL at 5 to 100 Mbps, so if your address is on DSL, run a speed test in the evening before counting on 4K or several screens. On cable or fibre, the bigger risk is usually inside the home:

• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi, not 2.4 GHz. In a tower, many neighbouring routers share the 2.4 GHz band.
• Run Ethernet to the main TV if you can. It’s the most reliable fix there is.
• Keep the router out of cabinets and closets, and away from the back of the TV.
• Test at the time you actually watch. A weeknight evening tells you more than a quiet afternoon.

Getting set up in Burnaby

1. Start the free 24-hour trial. Use it in the evening, on the TV you actually watch.
2. Install the app on a streaming stick, TV box, smart TV, phone, tablet or computer, and sign in with the details sent by email.
3. Connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet and watch for a full evening. If it plays cleanly, choose a plan on the plans page.

No installer, no new wiring, and nothing to return.

Frequently asked questions

Does Boom TV work on Rogers internet in Burnaby?

Yes. Rogers has owned the former Shaw network since April 2023, and Boom TV runs over it the same way it runs over Telus fibre or DSL. Nothing on your Rogers account changes.

My building near Metrotown has its own fibre company. Will it work?

Yes. Several smaller companies own fibre in Burnaby buildings. Boom TV only needs a working internet connection that meets the speeds above.

I’m on Telus DSL. Is that enough?

It depends on your line. Run an evening speed test in the room with the TV and compare it with the table above. About 10 Mbps per screen is enough for HD.

I live in Vancouver or New Westminster. Is it the same service?

Yes. Boom TV works the same way anywhere you have a reliable home connection. Only your local internet options differ.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. It lasts 24 hours and is free. Start the trial or compare plans.