IPTV Red Deer

Red Deer is in the middle of a fibre build. Through 2025 and 2026, crews from F3 Networks have been working their way across the city to lay a new fibre-optic network, and Telus announced its fibre service would run over it. Meanwhile, the cable network that used to be Shaw’s now belongs to Rogers. Which line reaches your house, and whether anyone at your address has said yes to the new one, decides what you’re streaming on. Here’s how Red Deer is wired, and what Boom TV needs to run smoothly on your connection.

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Alberta’s third-largest city, halfway up the corridor

Red Deer had 100,844 people at the 2021 census, which made it Alberta’s third-largest city again. It sits alongside the Red Deer River, midway along the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor, and the city is surrounded by Red Deer County.

A new fibre network, built street by street

In April 2025 the City of Red Deer announced that F3 Networks Canada was building a fibre-optic network to reach homes and businesses in the city, with crews working through Red Deer in 2025 and 2026. The City was clear that it is not a City-led project. F3 needs City permits to work on public rights-of-way, and the work generally follows existing utility paths.

In May 2025 Telus announced that its fibre service was coming to Red Deer over a network owned by F3. Telus said the service would soon be available to 90% of homes in Red Deer, and F3 said the work would take place over the next two years. That is a target, not a finished result, so check what’s available at your own address rather than assuming.

According to the City’s construction FAQ, building the network through a neighbourhood takes about six weeks, though weather and ground conditions can change the schedule.

Fibre on your street needs a yes from you

The new line doesn’t come onto your property automatically. The City’s FAQ says property owner permission is required, given by scanning a QR code, emailing F3 or speaking with an F3 representative. F3 staff have also gone door to door asking for it.

The same FAQ says the construction doesn’t require you to change providers or buy anything. So a neighbour can be on fibre while the house next door isn’t, simply because nobody there gave permission.

If you think you’re on fibre but streaming behaves like an older connection, ask your provider what technology actually serves your address.

Rogers, formerly Shaw: the cable network

Rogers completed its takeover of Shaw on 3 April 2023. If you still see the Shaw name, it’s the same cable network, now owned by Rogers.

Rogers describes its Red Deer network as fibre to the neighbourhood, with coaxial cable into the home.

An independent coverage map built from CRTC network-owner filings shows this cable network in about four in five of the city’s mapped zones, and Telus fibre in about three in four. It also lists Telus DSL, a few smaller fibre owners, and fixed wireless and satellite across the city. That map has no date, so it may not show the newest construction.

Boom TV works on any home connection that meets the speeds below. Test it on your own line with the free trial. It’s an app you install and sign into. Nothing is installed on the line, and nothing changes on your Rogers or Telus account.

How much speed you actually need

Boom TV’s recommended speeds, per stream:

If a fast connection still buffers, the cause can be inside the house:

• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi rather than 2.4 GHz. It’s faster, and less crowded in apartment buildings and attached homes.
• Plug the main TV in with Ethernet if you can. A wired connection takes Wi-Fi out of the picture.
• Keep the router out of basements and cabinets. Walls and floors cost signal.
• Count everyone else on the network. Downloads and video calls share the same connection as your TV.

Getting set up in Red Deer

1. Start the free 24-hour trial. Test it in the evening, on the TV you actually use.
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 no change to your internet account.

Frequently asked questions

Does Boom TV work on the new fibre in Red Deer?

Yes. Boom TV runs over your existing internet connection, whichever network carries it. Boom TV doesn’t change anything on your internet account.

Do I need to switch to fibre to stream?

No. Boom TV works on cable too. What matters is the speed that reaches your TV in the evening, so check it against the table above.

The fibre crews have been on my street. Am I connected?

Not necessarily. The line comes onto a property only with the owner’s permission, and building it doesn’t change your provider. Ask your provider what serves your address.

Is there a free trial?

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