Canadians like to use the Internet for a variety for reasons, from making connections on social media websites to streaming TV shows and movies. In fact, we're known as one of the world leaders in terms of our Internet use. A comScore report revealed that as of early 2013, the average Canadian spends about 45 hours online every month, which is almost double the global statistic.

Because we're a world leader in regards to going online, our Internet service providers (ISPs) are recognized for providing the best connections possible - from super fast speeds to competitive prices.

However, there are new developments in Internet connectivity that are turning the heads of industry experts. With the emergence of new technology, a town in Alberta recently declared itself the fastest area in Canada. What does this mean for the rest of us and the future of Canadian Internet?

Is Olds the fastest town?
According to The Montreal Gazette, the people of Olds, Alberta, have declared that they have the fastest Internet in the nation. They just might - the average speed is 10 times faster than those in the rest of Canada. They connect on a specialized network that has been in the works over the past 10 years.

That being said, this did not come without a price. The average expense paid by users is higher than the fee requested of people who connect with more traditional options like cable or DSL. Not only did the project to create this option take an entire decade, but it cost $13 million in total. This might indicate that this probably won't become commonplace in bigger cities any time soon.

Anyway, The Gazette reported that most people in Olds aren't using this technology, because it simply costs too much, with packages starting at $57 monthly. They instead opt for equally reliable, reasonable connections from other ISPs.

Foreign competition
Though Canadians are known worldwide for enjoying fast Internet speeds, no matter which ISP is used, other nations are giving some competition. Stockhouse detailed that a recent Akamai report revealed that though Canada and the United States have sped up their broadband speeds in the past few years, both Latvia and South Korea are gaining on them.

The report indicated that Latvian Internet is 25 per cent faster than its Canadian counterpart. This could prompt some friendly competition between the nations, and everyone would benefit.

What can ISPs do?
There are a number of ISPs whose current offerings won't be changed by the tweaks being made to broadband speeds elsewhere in Canada. Maybe the technology isn't widely available yet or perhaps these alterations aren't being made in coverage areas.

Regardless, this can be a good thing. When new technologies emerge, they often cost a lot of money, and indie ISPs are known for their competitive prices and thoughtfulness regarding what their clients can afford. Not to mention, as more discoveries are made, ISPs will likely stay on top of the information to see what reliable tools they can offer their customers.