Selecting the right Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution can significantly impact your organization’s communication efficiency and operational success. Comwave VoIP review highlights one of Canada’s most established telecommunications providers, has been serving businesses since 1999, positioning itself as the nation’s largest independent communications company.
This Comwave VoIP review delivers a comprehensive review examines Comwave’s VoIP offerings, analyzing everything from pricing structures and feature sets to performance reliability and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re a small business looking to upgrade from traditional phone systems or a large enterprise seeking scalable communication solutions, this unbiased analysis will help you determine if Comwave aligns with your specific requirements.
Company Overview and Background
Founded in 1999 by Yuval Barzakay and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Comwave has established itself as a significant player in the Canadian telecommunications market. The company underwent a major transition in November 2023 when it was acquired by Rogers Communications, one of Canada’s largest telecom operators.
Comwave’s business portfolio encompasses comprehensive communication solutions including VoIP phone systems, business internet, direct routing for Microsoft Teams, network security services, wireless LTE internet, and business television. Their VoIP platform features hosted PBX systems with over 40 business-class features designed to meet diverse organizational needs.
The company’s infrastructure spans three geographically diverse data centers across Canada, ensuring service continuity and redundancy. This network architecture connects with every major IP network in Canada, providing the foundation for their reliability-focused service delivery model.
Pricing Analysis and Plans
Basic Plan Pricing Structure
Comwave’s Basic Plan pricing is US$12.95 per month. It represents their entry-level business offering. The basic Plan includes essential business communication features such as:
- Unlimited local calls
- My Account web access
- Free long-distance calling between Comwave customers
- Keep your current phone number at no extra charge
- Caller ID block.
Enhanced Plan Features
The Enhanced Plan pricing is US$19.95 per month. It builds upon the basic plan offering with enhanced capabilities:
- Caller ID with name
- Call Forwarding
- Call waiting
- Visual call waiting
- Enhanced voicemail
- Do not disturb
- 3-way calling
- Speed Dial Memory
Canada Plan
Comwave’s Canada Plan pricing is US$24.95 per month. You can get unlimited local and almost unlimited Canada-wide long distance calling. You don’t have to pay extra for all the features traditional home and cellphone service providers charge you for, such as caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, etc.
Global Plan
Global Plan pricing is US$34.95 per month. You will get unlimited local calling and almost unlimited long distance to 60 countries. You will get 13 features free, including call forwarding, voicemail, and caller ID.
Competitive Pricing Comparison
When evaluated against market competitors, Comwave’s pricing positions it in the premium segment:
- Zoom: Starting at US$10 per user per month
- Dialpad: Starting at US$27 per user per month
- RingCentral: Starting at US$30 per user per month
- Nextiva: Starting at US$25 per user per month
- Google Voice: Starting at US$10 per user per month
- Ooma: Starting at US$19.95 per user per month
Features and Functionality Assessment
Core Communication Features
Comwave’s VoIP platform delivers comprehensive business communication capabilities. The virtual receptionist functionality ensures professional call handling, while the auto-attendant system efficiently routes incoming calls to appropriate departments or individuals. Unlimited calling within the US and Canada eliminates concerns about usage-based charges for North American communications.
The voicemail-to-email feature enhances productivity by delivering voice messages directly to email inboxes, enabling remote access and faster response times. Multi-level toll-free numbers support complex organizational structures, while the enterprise directory facilitates internal communication management.
Integration Capabilities
The platform’s CRM integration capability allows businesses to connect their communication system with existing customer relationship management tools, streamlining workflow processes. Team messaging functionality provides internal collaboration tools, reducing dependence on external messaging platforms.
Advanced Features
Premium plan subscribers benefit from call recording capabilities, essential for quality assurance, training, and compliance requirements. Group calling supports conference scenarios, while SMS messaging extends communication options beyond voice calls.
The integration with Cisco Webex represents a significant differentiator, providing seamlessly integrated video conferencing capabilities that many competitors offer as separate services or third-party integrations.
Performance and Reliability Analysis
Infrastructure Foundation
Comwave’s network infrastructure centers on three geographically distributed data centers, providing redundancy and minimizing single points of failure. This architecture supports their “Always Connected™” internet product, which includes failover connections via LTE to minimize downtime risks.
While specific uptime percentages aren’t publicly disclosed, the infrastructure is engineered to deliver 99.9% reliability. The company provides real-time service status updates through their website, enhancing transparency and enabling proactive issue awareness.
Call Quality Standards
Comwave’s VoIP services utilize Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) to ensure voice clarity and security. User feedback generally indicates satisfactory call quality that meets industry benchmarks, though some customers have reported occasional disruptions during peak usage periods.
Service Reliability Concerns
Customer reports and monitoring platforms like Downdetector have documented intermittent service disruptions, particularly noted in April 2025. While these events aren’t frequent, concerns remain regarding response times and support handling during outages. This represents an area where Comwave could improve their service delivery consistency.
Security and Compliance Framework
This Comwave VoIP review emphasizes Comwave’s commitment to security:
Data Protection Measures
Comwave implements a layered security approach, utilizing SRTP for voice data encryption and Transport Layer Security (TLS) for call signaling protection. This end-to-end encryption ensures communication privacy and data integrity throughout transmission.
Regulatory Compliance
The platform maintains compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks:
- GDPR Compliance: Privacy practices align with European Union data protection standards
- HIPAA Compliance: Systems support healthcare organizations handling sensitive electronic protected health information
Security Infrastructure
Additional security measures include multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementation, role-based access controls (RBAC), regular security audits, and comprehensive staff cybersecurity awareness training. These measures demonstrate Comwave’s commitment to maintaining robust security standards.
Customer Experience and Feedback Analysis
Positive Customer Feedback
Many users appreciate Comwave’s call quality consistency and find the feature-rich plans easy to navigate and implement. Some customers highlight the competitive value proposition, particularly when considering the comprehensive feature sets included in each plan tier.
The range of available features receives positive feedback from businesses that utilize multiple communication tools within a single platform, reducing the complexity of managing separate service providers.
Areas of Customer Concern
Customer service experiences present mixed feedback, with several users reporting extended wait times and unresolved technical issues. This represents a significant concern for businesses requiring reliable support access.
Billing-related challenges have emerged as another concern, with instances of unexpected charges and difficulties in service cancellation processes. Some customers report being locked into long-term contracts without clear communication, leading to unexpected cancellation fees.
Service reliability issues, including dropped calls and poor call quality during peak hours, have been documented by multiple users. These performance inconsistencies can significantly impact business operations, particularly for organizations heavily dependent on voice communications.
Regulatory History and Corporate Transparency
Past Regulatory Issues
Comwave’s operational history includes regulatory challenges that potential customers should consider. In 2016, the Competition Bureau imposed a $300,000 fine for misleading advertising practices related to VoIP and internet services. Additionally, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) levied a $100,000 fine in 2013 for telemarketing call violations.
Corporate Changes
The 2023 acquisition by Rogers Communications represents a significant corporate development that may influence future service delivery, pricing strategies, and feature development. While the long-term implications remain to be seen, this change provides increased financial backing and potentially enhanced infrastructure investment.
Competitive Market Position
Strengths Against Competitors
Comwave’s integration with Cisco Webex provides a significant advantage for organizations already invested in Cisco’s ecosystem. The comprehensive compliance framework, particularly HIPAA certification, makes it attractive for healthcare and regulated industries.
The Canadian market focus allows for specialized local support and understanding of regional telecommunications requirements, potentially providing superior service for Canadian businesses compared to international providers.
Competitive Disadvantages
The premium pricing structure positions Comwave at a disadvantage when competing purely on cost. Many competitors offer similar basic features at significantly lower entry points, making Comwave less attractive for price-sensitive small businesses.
The mixed customer service feedback contrasts with competitors that have invested heavily in support infrastructure and customer experience optimization.
Target Audience and Use Cases
Ideal Customer Profile
Comwave’s service profile aligns best with medium to large enterprises requiring integrated VoIP and video conferencing through Cisco Webex. Healthcare providers benefit from HIPAA compliance and secure voice data handling capabilities.
Multi-location businesses can leverage the redundant data center infrastructure and Always Connected™ service for high availability across distributed teams. Finance and legal sectors requiring data encryption and regulatory compliance find value in Comwave’s security framework.
Less Suitable Scenarios
Small startups prioritizing ultra-low-cost solutions may find better value with competitors offering lower entry-level pricing. Organizations requiring advanced AI-driven analytics or cutting-edge communication features might need to supplement Comwave’s offerings with additional tools.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Comwave presents a robust VoIP solution for Canadian businesses that prioritize reliability, security, and integrated communication platforms. The comprehensive feature sets, regulatory compliance, and Cisco Webex integration provide significant value for organizations with specific requirements in these areas.
However, the premium pricing structure and mixed customer service feedback require careful consideration. Businesses should evaluate whether the additional features justify the higher costs compared to competitors, particularly if basic VoIP functionality meets their operational needs.
For organizations in regulated industries or those requiring enterprise-grade security and compliance, Comwave offers compelling advantages. The Canadian market specialization and local infrastructure provide additional benefits for domestic businesses.
Potential customers should carefully review contract terms, understand all associated fees, and consider the company’s customer service track record when making their decision. While Comwave delivers solid technical capabilities, the overall value proposition depends heavily on specific business requirements and budget considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Comwave’s uptime guarantee?
A: While Comwave doesn’t publish specific uptime percentages, their infrastructure is engineered for 99.9% reliability with redundant data centers and failover capabilities.
Q: Does Comwave offer month-to-month contracts?
A: Yes, though longer contract terms (3-5 years) can provide up to 6 months of free service and potentially better pricing.
Q: Is Comwave suitable for healthcare organizations?
A: Yes, Comwave maintains HIPAA compliance, making it appropriate for healthcare providers handling sensitive patient information.
Q: What additional fees should businesses expect?
A: Additional costs include a US$50 equipment deposit, US$12 VoIP adapter fee, and potential hardware rental charges.