The best mobile plans in Canada
Device plans for iPhone 11 And Samsung S10 +
Canadians continue to look for the best mobile plans now and then. The reason for this varies. Many Canucks who use their cell phones often want the best talk time plan, Canadian punters who play online games regularly need mobile data plans which cost less; then there are Canadian students who cannot afford high-cost plans thus look for the best mobile plans which suit their budget. So everyone’s need is different. According to the 2019 Communications Monitoring report from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canadians pay an average of $101 a month on cellphone plans.
- A previous report from 2018 prepared for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada found plans that include talk, text and at least 5 GB of data cost about $30 in the U.K., Italy and Australia.
- An August 2019 report from the CRTC looking at all communication services, including the mobile wireless market, found prices decreased an average of 28 per cent between the years of 2016 to 2018. The report found an average monthly price for a phone plan with unlimited voice, text messaging and 5 GB of data dropped to $51.05 from $78.36.
Note that the three big brands Telus, Bell and Rogers now no longer offer 5 GB plans.
Though there are some major differences in costs and data plans available compared to now and last year, experts who examined data provided by Global News say it’s more of the same: unreasonably high costs with not enough options.
According to a report by Global News here is what it would cost to get a brand-new phone with at least 10 GB of data and unlimited texts and calls.
Rogers, Telus and Bell- iPhone 11 and Samsung S10+
Rogers, Telus, and Bell all three providers offered similar costs for both the iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S10+. Telus edges the other two out on the iPhone 11 by nine cents. Phone manufacturers determine the suggested retail price, not the carriers.
According to Rodrigo Samayoa, a digital campaigner with advocacy group OpenMedia, it’s important to note prices as plans may vary depending on the province or territory you live in, with plans in Quebec likely to be cheaper due to more competition there. You may also have to pay a sales tax on the devices up front, and costs will vary depending on where you live.
The best data plans from some of the biggest Canadian cellphone service providers
The Big Three providers also offered discounts if you contacted them directly and had additional promotions for longtime customers. The Big Three are operating on a sophisticated LTE 4G network, considered one of the fastest speeds that can carry a lot of users at once, so they have room for “unlimited” data for customers, he said. For those who can afford it, the Big Three can be a good option if you need data and good cell service throughout Canada, But costs are not reasonable.
Discount providers in Canada
- Virgin Mobile, the company offered to wave “upfront fees” if the phone and plan were purchased on the spot. Excluding possible one-time deals, Freedom clearly ended up with the cheapest plan, especially with a current offer that gives customers 20 GB of “unlimited” data.
- Freedom’s network is also the strongest in major urban centres like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, according to its website. The provider is continuing to expand to cities like Medicine Hat, Alta., and Kamloops, B.C., making it more accessible, PC Mag reported.
- Many discount providers, especially those owned by the Big Three (Rogers owns Fido, Bell owns Virgin and Telus owns Koodo), offer similar prices. Discount brands also offer cheaper plans if you’re willing to give up the data and a brand-new phone.
- Fido or Koodo, for example, will offer more options, including government-mandated plans that force providers to offer between 250 MB and 1 GB of data per month for $15 to $30.
Regional providers in Canada
Here are some of the regional providers in the country and their best rates.
VIDEOTRON
Available at Quebec and Ottawa areas
iPhone 11 plan
- $110 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB plus 100 GB to use if you go over throughout the year, with a limit of 20 GB extra per month
- Unlimited calls and texts in Canada
- Storage: 64 GB
- Setup fee: $25 (before taxes)
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $110 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB plus 100 GB to use if you go over throughout the year, with a limit of 20 GB extra per month
- Unlimited calls and texts in Canada
- Storage: 128 GB
- Setup fee: $25 (before taxes)
SASKTEL
iPhone 11 plan
- $111.15 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB ($5 per each 100 MB over)
- Unlimited calls and texts
- Storage: 64 GB
- Setup fee: $35 (before taxes)
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $116.15 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB ($5 per each 100 MB over)
- Unlimited calls and texts
- Storage: 128 GB
- Setup fee: $35 (before taxes)
EASTLINK
iPhone 11 plan
- $112.63 per month (before tax)
- Data: 10 GB (additional costs if you go over)
- Unlimited texts and calls nationwide
- Storage: 64 GB
- Setup fee: $10
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $125 per month (before tax)
- Data: 10 GB (additional costs if you go over)
- Unlimited texts and calls nationwide
- Storage: 128 GB
- Setup fee: $10
XPLORE
Available in Manitoba
iPhone 11 plan
- $105/per month (before tax)
- Data: 10 GB (additional costs if you go over, $5/100 MB)
- Unlimited text messaging from Canada
- Unlimited Canada wide calling from Manitoba
- Storage: 64 GB
- Setup fee: No activation fee
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $150 up front (before tax)
- $105/per month (before tax)
- Data: 10 GB (additional costs if you go over, $5/100 MB)
- Unlimited text messaging from Canada
- Unlimited Canada wide calling from Manitoba
- Storage: 128 GB
- Setup fee: No activation fee
TBAYTEL
iPhone 11 plan
- $115 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 12 GB (extra charges after going over)
- Unlimited texting in Canada or to the U.S.
- Unlimited calling in Canada or to the U.S.
- Storage: 64 GB
- Setup fee: $25 SIM card fee
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $123.75 (before taxes)
- Data: 12 GB (extra charges after going over)
- Unlimited texting in Canada or to the U.S.
- Unlimited calling in Canada or to the U.S.
- Storage: 128 GB
- Setup fee: $25 SIM card fee
SOGETEL
iPhone 11 plan
- $80 down for the phone upfront
- $105 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB a month (extra charges after going over)
- Unlimited calls in Canada and unlimited texts
- Storage: 64 GB
- No activation fee in a current promotion
Samsung Galaxy S10+ plan
- $105 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB a month (extra charges after going over)
- Unlimited calls in Canada and unlimited texts
- Storage: 128 GB
- No activation fee in a current promotion
ICE WIRELESS
Available in the Yukon, Northwest Territories)
Samsung Galaxy S8 (only phone with $0 down)
- $119 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 10 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Unlimited calls to Canada, U.S. and Mexico
- Unlimited texts to Canada, U.S. and internationally
Bargain brands in Canada
According to Global News the cellphone plans of bargain brands in Canada require the customer to bring their own phone.
PUBLIC
- $50 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 8 GB at 3G speeds (with a bonus 500 MB if autopay is set up, $30 per extra 1 GB)
- Unlimited talk and text in Canada and calls to the U.S.
CHATR
- $50 per month (before taxes)
- Data: Unlimited 8 GB data at 3G speeds (speed reduces after 8 GB)
- Unlimited text and talk in Canada and calls to the U.S.
LUCKY
- $50 per month (before taxes)
- Data: Unlimited 8G data (speed reduces after 8 GB)
- Unlimited texts and talk in Canada and calls to the U.S.
CITYFONE
Same company as Primus, Zoomer and Simply Connect
Samsung Galaxy A70
- $0 down on the phone
- $95 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 5 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Unlimited Canada-wide calling, unlimited text and MMS in Canada and internationally
Google Pixel 3A
- $0 down on the phone
- $95 per month (before taxes)
- Data: 5 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Unlimited Canada-wide calling, unlimited text and MMS in Canada and internationally
The bargain providers offering in Canada are owned by the Big Three like Lucky Mobile is owned by Bell, Public Mobile is owned by Telus and Chatr and Cityfone are both owned by Rogers. Even though some of these brands seem to offer a good amount of data, they have slowed-down speeds compared to other providers, he said.
Those who live in rural areas, as well as reserves, have trouble accessing the internet at basic speeds, according to a 2019 CRTC report.
Companies like K-Net, a First Nations-owned and -operated provider, work to provide internet and phone services to remote First Nations communities and bridge connection gaps. Qiniq is another network that services 25 communities in Nunavut to improve broadband services for Inuit communities. Ice Wireless, which operates in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, states on its website that it is expanding coverage to more remote areas across Northern Canada.
How to find the best mobile plans in Canada?
Well, it’s tough to decide which is the best mobile plan in Canada. But still here are a few tips to use:
If you want the cheapest price on a cellphone plan, don’t switch to a financing option every time a new phone comes out.
Experts recommend bringing your own device. “It gives you more flexibility to do some price shopping, and generally, the prices when you bring your own device are cheaper.” Bringing your own phone means you likely won’t be tied to a contract, so if another provider comes out with a discounted plan, you can switch, he said. Also, you need to be questioning your provider about extra fees.
Also, you need to figure out what you want in advance, including your habits, how you use the phone: are you using it for playing games so wanting more data, or are you an international traveler, or you talk and chat often with your friends. Also whether you have a new phone or old phone to get the best mobile plan accordingly.