Despite claims from Canadian Internet Service Providers that Internet Overcharging schemes like “usage-based billing” are about pricing fairness, paying for what one uses, and keeping prices down, comparing broadband prices across the west and east sides of the Niagara River tell a very different story.

We went shopping for the lowest possible prices for standalone broadband service from two cable companies serving the Niagara Falls area, on both sides of the border.

Here is what we found (prices roughly equivalent in CAD/USD at today’s exchange rate of $1US = $0.99CAD):

Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Time Warner Cable

$34.95/month

Road Runner Standard Service: 10/1Mbps
No Usage Limit
No Overlimit Fee
No Modem Rental Fee
No Contract Commitment

Niagara Falls, Ontario — Rogers Communications

$39.00/month

Rogers Express Service: 10Mbps/512kbps
60GB Monthly Limit with $2/GB Overlimit Fee
$14.95 Installation Fee
One Year Contract Required
(Price above reflects a one-year promotion that includes the monthly Home Gateway Rental ($4.50 value) for one year, $5.50 per month thereafter, effective 3/2011)

The $46.99 price noted above reflects regular Rogers pricing, before the modem rental fee.