IPTV Sarnia

In Sarnia, cable internet comes from one company. On an independent coverage map built from CRTC network-owner filings (the CRTC is Canada’s telecom regulator), Cogeco is the only cable network owner listed for the city, and fibre from Cogeco and Bell is mapped in most of its zones. Sarnia had 72,047 people in the 2021 census, and for live TV, the line into your home and the Wi-Fi inside it decide how well it plays. Here’s who wires Sarnia, what Boom TV needs, and how to test it on your own connection first.

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Where the lake meets the river

Sarnia sits where Lake Huron flows into the St. Clair River, in Lambton County. The Blue Water Bridge links Sarnia and the neighbouring village of Point Edward to Port Huron, Michigan.

Today’s city took shape on 1 January 1991, when Sarnia and the neighbouring town of Clearwater, formerly Sarnia Township, were amalgamated. Point Edward was originally meant to join too, but it was allowed to stay independent, so it is still its own village. Sarnia covers about 164 square kilometres of land, including the former township land.

Lambton College, the city’s only post-secondary school, is here too. If you’re renting near campus or in an older building, check which lines actually reach your unit before you move in.

In Sarnia, cable means Cogeco

That coverage map splits Sarnia into 14 zones:

• Cogeco cable is mapped in 13 of the 14 zones, and no other cable owner is listed. Cogeco fibre is mapped in 12.
• Bell fibre-to-the-home is mapped in 9 of the 14 zones, with Bell’s older DSL listed in all of them.
• Eastlink fibre appears in one zone.

These are shares of mapped zones, not homes, so check your own address. The map counts network owners only, so a smaller company may sell you service over one of these lines under its own name.

Bell’s fibre plan for Sarnia and Point Edward

In 2017, Bell told Sarnia city council it planned to connect about 20,000 homes in Sarnia and Point Edward with fibre, in a two-to-three-year project. Today, that coverage map lists Bell fibre in 9 of Sarnia’s 14 zones, so it isn’t listed in every zone. If you’re on Bell’s older DSL, ask whether fibre has reached your street.

Boom TV is an app, so nothing is installed on the line, and Boom TV doesn’t change anything on your internet account.

How much speed you actually need

Boom TV’s recommended speeds, per stream:

That coverage map lists Bell DSL at 5 to 100 Mbps, so on DSL, run a speed test in the evening before you rely on it for 4K or several screens.

Then add up your screens. A 4K TV in the living room and an HD stream on a tablet in the kitchen need about 35 Mbps between them.

That coverage map also lists fixed wireless and satellite in Sarnia. Boom TV works on any home connection that meets the speeds above. Test it on your own line with the free trial.

When a fast connection still buffers

The cause is usually inside the house:

• Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, not 2.4 GHz.
• Run Ethernet to the main TV if you can.
• Move the router out of the basement or a closet, or add a mesh point for a TV on another floor.
• Count everyone on the network. Video calls, game downloads and cloud backups share the same connection as your TV.
• Restart the streaming device now and then. Small sticks with limited memory run better after a fresh start.
• Test in the evening, when everyone at home is online.

Getting set up in Sarnia

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

No technician, no new wiring and nothing to return.

Frequently asked questions

Does Boom TV work on Cogeco internet in Sarnia?

Yes. Cogeco cable is mapped in 13 of Sarnia’s 14 zones, and Boom TV works over Cogeco cable or fibre just as it does over Bell. Boom TV doesn’t change anything on your internet account.

Is there Bell fibre in Sarnia?

In parts of the city. That coverage map lists Bell fibre in 9 of Sarnia’s 14 zones and Bell DSL in all of them. Check your own address.

I live in Point Edward. Does this page apply to me?

Point Edward is a separate village, but it was part of the same 2017 Bell fibre plan as Sarnia. Boom TV works the same on any connection that meets the speeds above, so the free trial is the simplest test.

Is DSL fast enough for Boom TV?

It depends on your line. Bell DSL is listed at 5 to 100 Mbps, so test your evening speed against about 10 Mbps per HD stream and about 25 Mbps per 4K stream.

What do I need for 4K?

About 25 Mbps per 4K stream, plus a device that supports 4K.

Is there a free trial?

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