Shaw Speed Test — Fibre+ Internet (Now Rogers)

Shaw Communications was Western Canada's cable giant for over 50 years — the default internet provider for millions of homes across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. That chapter ended in April 2023 when Rogers completed its $26 billion acquisition, creating a coast-to-coast cable and wireless empire. If you are a Shaw customer in 2026, you are effectively a Rogers customer — even if the box in your living room still says "BlueCurve."

So what does this mean for your speed test? In practice, the infrastructure has not changed. The coaxial cables in the ground, the DOCSIS nodes on your street, and the BlueCurve Gateway on your shelf are all the same equipment. Your speeds should be identical to what they were before the acquisition. What is changing are plan names, branding, billing systems, and — gradually — the support experience.

What "Fibre+" Actually Means (And What It Doesn't)

Shaw's marketing branded all their internet plans as "Fibre+" — but this is misleading. The "fibre" part refers to the fibre-optic backbone connecting Shaw's street-level nodes. The last mile to your house runs on coaxial cable — the same technology used for cable television. Technically, this is Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) running the DOCSIS 3.1 protocol.

This distinction matters because it explains the single biggest complaint Shaw customers have: upload speeds are nowhere near download speeds.

Compare this to Telus PureFibre, which delivers symmetrical speeds — 1,000/1,000 Mbps on their gigabit plan. For remote workers uploading large files, streaming to Twitch, or running cloud backups, Telus's upload advantage is dramatic. For households that primarily stream Netflix and browse, Shaw/Rogers' download speeds are more than adequate.

The BlueCurve Gateway — XB6, XB7, and XB8

Shaw (now Rogers) has deployed three generations of gateway. Knowing which one you have helps diagnose speed issues:

Critical detail for Gig 1.5 customers: Your computer's Ethernet port almost certainly maxes out at 1 Gbps (~940 Mbps). To test speeds above 1 Gbps, you need either a USB 2.5G Ethernet adapter ($25-40 on Amazon) plugged into the XB7/XB8's orange 2.5G port, or a Wi-Fi 6E device connected to the XB8's 6 GHz band. Without one of these, your speed test will never exceed 940 Mbps regardless of your plan.

Bridge Mode — Using Your Own Router

Shaw's BlueCurve gateways function as both a modem and a router. If you want to use your own router (for better coverage, VPN support, or advanced QoS), you can put the gateway into Bridge Mode:

1. Go to 10.0.0.1 and log in (admin / password)
2. Navigate to Gateway > At a Glance
3. Find "Bridge Mode" and enable it
4. The gateway will restart — its Wi-Fi will turn off
5. Connect your router's WAN port to one of the gateway's Ethernet ports

In Bridge Mode, the BlueCurve becomes a simple cable modem. Your router handles all DHCP, DNS, NAT, and Wi-Fi functions. This is the recommended setup for anyone using quality mesh systems like ASUS ZenWiFi, TP-Link Deco, or Ubiquiti hardware.

Note: enabling Bridge Mode disables the Shaw BlueCurve Home app features — parental controls, device management, and the XB pod mesh system will stop working. You manage everything through your own router's interface instead.

The Rogers Transition — What Changed and What Didn't

If you are a former Shaw customer wondering what the Rogers acquisition means for you:

• Same infrastructure: The physical cable network, street-level nodes, and equipment in your home are unchanged. Shaw's network was already running DOCSIS 3.1 and continues to do so under Rogers.
• Plan rebranding: Shaw plan names (Fibre+ 300, Fibre+ Gig) are gradually being replaced with Rogers plan names. The underlying speeds and pricing are similar.
• Billing changes: Shaw billing systems are migrating to Rogers. Some customers have experienced billing confusion during the transition — keep records of your original plan terms.
• Support consolidation: Shaw's Calgary-based support is being integrated with Rogers. Call quality and wait times may vary during the transition period.
• Wireless bundles: Rogers offers wireless phone plan bundles that Shaw never had (Shaw Mobile was limited). This creates new packaging opportunities — check if bundling your internet and wireless saves money.

Shaw vs. Telus — The Only Comparison That Matters

In Western Canada, your realistic broadband choice is between Shaw/Rogers (cable) and Telus (fibre):

If Telus PureFibre is available at your exact address, it is the technically superior option — symmetrical speeds, lower latency, and dedicated fibre mean more consistent performance. If PureFibre is not available, Shaw/Rogers cable with no data caps remains a strong choice, especially on the Gig 1.5 plan where raw download speed exceeds what Telus currently offers in most markets.

Practical Shaw/Rogers Questions

My speed test shows 940 Mbps on a Gig 1.5 plan. Is something wrong?

No. Your computer's Ethernet port is capped at 1 Gbps. To test faster, you need a 2.5G Ethernet adapter connected to the XB7/XB8's orange port. Alternatively, test from a Wi-Fi 6E device connected to the XB8's 6 GHz band.

Should I switch from Shaw branding to Rogers now?

There is no rush. Rogers is handling the transition gradually. Your Shaw account, equipment, and speeds continue to work. When Rogers prompts you to migrate your account, review the new plan terms carefully to ensure you are getting equivalent or better value.

Can I keep my Shaw email address?

Rogers has committed to maintaining shaw.ca email addresses during the transition. However, it is wise to begin migrating to a provider-independent email (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud) to avoid any future disruption.

Who do I call for support?

Call 1-888-472-2222 (Shaw line still active) or 1-888-764-3771 (Rogers). The BlueCurve Home app (or Rogers Ignite WiFi Hub app) handles most tasks — restart equipment, check for outages, manage Wi-Fi, and run diagnostics. Online support is available at shaw.ca or rogers.com.