First Impressions from CanWISP 2026: A New Perspective on the ISP Industry

Last week I attended my first CanWISP conference in Toronto, and I am still thinking about it.

Going in, I did not fully know what to expect. I knew I would meet ISPs, vendors, and people from across the industry. What I did not expect was how welcoming and open everyone would be right from the start. It felt less like what I’d imagine a typical conference would be and more like a tight community.

Real Conversations, Real Challenges

Throughout the week, I spoke with operators from all over Canada. Every conversation felt honest and grounded in what people are actually dealing with day to day.

Teams are trying to scale networks, manage growing complexity, and make their systems work together. Those challenges came up again and again. At the same time, there was a clear sense that there is a lot of opportunity ahead for teams that can simplify and move faster.

A Shared Mission: Connecting Communities

One thing that really stuck with me was how much people care about what they do. No matter the size of the ISP, there was a shared focus on connecting communities and improving access.

It made the conversations feel more meaningful. This is not just about technology. It is about helping businesses run, students learn, and people stay connected.

What I Took Away

This event really helped me connect the dots. I got to hear directly from operators about what is working, what is not, and where they are trying to go next.

I also had the chance to share how Sonar is helping ISPs simplify operations, reduce manual work, and connect their systems more effectively. Those conversations felt practical and relevant, which made them even more valuable.

More Than Just a Booth

There was a lot happening throughout the event. We filmed episodes of the Bandwidth Podcast, attended breakout sessions, and had plenty of spontaneous conversations on the show floor.

Every interaction added something new. It was a great way to learn quickly and see how different teams approach similar problems.

I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by, share their experiences, and have a conversation. I really appreciated how open and friendly the CanWISP community was.

Looking Ahead

This was my first industry event, and it definitely will not be my last.

Even now, I am still reflecting on what I learned and the people I met. I am looking forward to staying in touch, continuing those conversations, and seeing familiar faces at future events.

If we connected at the show and I owe you a follow-up, it is coming. And if we did not get a chance to meet, feel free to reach out. I am always happy to connect.