Canada – known for its stunning nature, its love for Maple Syrup, and, of course, its politeness. Even the mooses are polite (actually – they are not. Be careful around them).
Being home to the largest land border globally, together with the United States, there are plenty of things to see and do in Canada.
However, unlike some other large nations that host various climates, from blazing hot to freezing cold, Canada's are always on a cooler side (or permanent cold when staying up north). So better dress up when visiting this literally cool nation.
What is not cool, however, are expensive international roaming rates. In fact, I often call (standard) roaming rates criminal because those bills do be feeling like you are getting robbed on the highway.
Luckily, it is possible to get yourself a Canadian SIM card. Most often, using local SIM cards, like a Canadian one, will be much cheaper than international roaming or using an international or travel SIM card.
But how much will a SIM card in Canada cost?
You can buy a Canadian SIM card for 10 CAD (8.15 USD) or 20 CAD (16.30 USD), depending on the operator, in the official stores of the operator (like Rogers, Telus, Bell & Freedom Mobile stores), or various retail partners (such as electronic stores). 1 GB of data will cost you at least 29 CAD (23.60 USD).
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube
.
To many, these prices will sound expensive, which they are. Not only is getting a SIM card quite pricey, but plans can cost you an arm and a leg.
Okay, it is not that expensive, but you will be surprised how expensive phone plans are in Canada. Unless you are from the United States, Bermuda, or remote island nations like the Falkland Islands, St. Helena, or Ascension Island, things may feel like they are on a discount.
There is a lot to learn about getting yourself a SIM card in Canada.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Canada. Let's get started.
Original publication: 18th of October 2019. Last updated: 13th of July 2021.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Canada?
Everyone visiting and living in Canada can buy a SIM card from any of the Canadian operators without any restrictions.
Although SIM card registration is not a thing in Canada, SIM cards do have to be activated in-person or online. Moreover, your phone needs to support the frequencies used in Canada.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Canada?
You can purchase a Canadian in the official stores of the Main Operators (Rogers, Telus, Bell & Freedom Mobile), the flanker brands (such as Fido & Virgin Mobile Canada), or third-party resellers, such as grocery stores, electronic shops, and convenience stores.
Although it is possible to order SIM cards online, they have to be delivered to a Canadian address. Moreover, most operators accept only Canadian debit and credit cards. Furthermore, delivery can take between 2 to 5 workdays in the metro areas and up to a few weeks in the remote parts of Canada.
It is also possible to buy SIM cards at select Canadian international airports. However, the selection is minimal at most airports. Sometimes, only one SIM card is available at an unfavorable starter price.
Chatr Mobile, Lucky Mobile, SpeakOut (7-Eleven), and Telus SIM cards can be found at a handful of Canadian international airports.
You can buy a Canadian SIM card at the following international airports:
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport
- Toronto Pearson Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.
You can expect to pay the following for Canadian SIM cards:
- Rogers: 10 CAD
- Chatr Mobile: 10 CAD
- Fido: 10 CAD
- Telus: 20 CAD
- Koodo Mobile: 20 CAD
- Public Mobile: 10 CAD
- Bell Canada: 10 CAD
- Lucky Mobile: 20 CAD
- Virgin Mobile Canada: 10 CAD
- Freedom Mobile: 10 CAD
- PC Mobile: 10 CAD
- Petro-Canada Mobility: 10 CAD
- PhoneBox Canada: 10 CAD
- SpeakOut 7-Eleven: 10 CAD
Do note that (third-party) retailers are allowed to charge more for SIM cards than mentioned above. Moreover, some operators charge a connection fee of up to 30 CAD on top of the SIM card price.
Can You Use Your Phone in Canada?
GSM technology is used for mobile communication services in Canada, meaning that you need a GSM-supported phone. All CDMA networks were shut down on or before the 30th of April 2019.
Luckily, there is a 99% chance your phone supports GSM anyway.
Canada uses traditional American frequencies, which are mainly used in the Americas (North-, Central- & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Other parts of the world (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania – ITU Regions 1 & 3) use European frequencies, which are different from the American frequencies.
by Denelson83, CC BY-SA 2.5If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Canada.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Canada or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Canada (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Canada
Canada has four Canada-wide mobile network operators (Main Operators), six flanker brands directly owned by the Main Operators, and four MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offering prepaid services.
These Canadian operators are your options:
- Rogers
- Chatr Mobile (Rogers Flanker Brand)
- Fido (Rogers Flanker Brand)
- Telus
- Koodo Mobile (Telus Flanker Brand)
- Public Mobile (Telus Flanker Brand)
- Bell Canada
- Lucky Mobile (Bell Flanker Brand)
- Virgin Mobile Canada (Bell Flanker Brand)
- Freedom Mobile
- PC Mobile (Bell MVNO)
- Petro-Canada Mobility (Rogers MVNO)
- PhoneBox Canada (Rogers MVNO)
- SpeakOut 7-Eleven (Rogers MVNO)
The following frequencies are used in Canada:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz, 1700 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12, Band 13, Band 17 & Band 29), 850 MHz (Band 5), 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4 & Band 66), 1900 MHz (Band 2 & Band 25) & 2600 MHz (Band 7 & Band 38)
- 5G NR: 600 MHz (n71), 1700/2100 MHz – AWS (n66), 2500 MHz (n41) & 2600 MHz (n38)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
Cannot see the video above? Watch it here or on YouTube.
To check whether your phone will work in Canada, check out this page by Will My Phone Work.
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
A Note About 4G HSPA+
Before 4G/LTE was being rolled out in Canada, some operators thought it was a great idea to market HSPA+, which is 3.75G, as 4G HSPA+ to confuse or trick customers into thinking that they were getting 4G/LTE experiences. 4G HSPA+ is not 4G/LTE – it is a lie.
To this day, some operators mention or highlight their 4G HSPA+ coverage. Whenever an operator is guilty of doing this, I will clearly highlight this throughout the guide.
Although the four Main Operators (Rogers, Telus, Bell & Freedom Mobile) do have true 4G/LTE now (even LTE-A: Long Term Evolution – Advanced), this 4G HSPA+ trickery is still going on to this day.
Somehow, this lie is not limited to Canadian operators. Many operators throughout the Americas, notably Digicel, straight up lied about their 3G or HSPA+ networks being 4G/LTE.
As history likes to repeat itself, American operators AT&T & Verizon have been caught lying about their 5G networks. T-Mobile USA was told to town down with their 5G reliability advertisements. At least the Canadian operators have a bit more class in terms of 5G marketing… for now.
5G in Canada
The Canadian Main Operators held 5G trials back in 2016. Bell was the first operator to demonstrate a pre-commercial 5G system with Nokia.
Rogers was the first to commercially launch 5G in the urban hubs of Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver on 2500 MHz (n41). The other Main Operators followed, and they later got access to the 600 MHz (n71) spectrum.
Right now, Rogers seems to have the broadest 5G coverage, covering more than 130 cities and towns throughout Canada.
The auction for the 3500 MHz (n78) spectrum was scheduled to take place in 2020. However, due to COVID-19, the Canadian government decided to postpone the auction to the 15th of June 2021.
This is important because 3500 MHz will be the backbone of 5G in almost all countries setting up 5G networks now and in the future. That is because the spectrum is “at a balancing point between coverage and capacity that provides the perfect environment for the earliest 5G connectivity”, according to GSMA.
All the other 5G frequencies currently in use in Canada sacrifice speed for broader coverage (the lower the frequency, the greater the range but slower speeds).
Even though 5G is up and live in Canada already, 5G will not be available to prepaid customers in the near future.
A Note About Regional Operators in Canada
Canada has a few regional operators (Ice Wireless, SaskTel & Vidéotron) active in one or multiple provinces. However, they do not have native Canada-wide coverage like the Big Three (Rogers, Telus & Bell).
These regional operators (Ice Wireless, SaskTel & Vidéotron) are often competitively priced if you stay in the province they operate in. However, you will not be saving a lot of money by going with the regional operators because… well… you are still in Canada.
The regional often have a national roaming agreement with the Big Three. However, speeds are often throttled because the Big Three prioritizes the traffic of their own customers over roaming customers.
Because you need to be in a province where the regional operator is active to get one of their SIM cards, I will not cover them in-depth in this guide. However, you should consider them if you are visiting or staying in their operations zone.
Regional operators offering prepaid services:
- Ice Wireless (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut & part of Quebec)
- SaskTel (Saskatchewan – nationwide roaming on Bell & Telus)
- Vidéotron (Quebec & part of Ontario – nationwide roaming on Rogers)
However, rumors and reports have surfaced that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) may force the Big Three to let the regional operators use their networks.
If that happens, then the SIM cards of the regional operators could be purchased nationwide, which could lead to some savings.
Best SIM Card in Canada
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Canada, I recommend going with Telus or its flanker brands (Koodo & Public Mobile). Telus has the fastest and most extensive network in the country. Telus has also won the Speedtest Awards Fastest Mobile Network four years in a row.
You can also consider Bell and its flanker brands (Lucky Mobile & Virgin Mobile). Telus & Bell have a network sharing agreement, allowing customers of both operators to share each other's networks.
Be advised that prepaid speeds with flanker brands are often throttled to 3G speeds (3 Mbps) even when you get access to their 4G/LTE network.
SIM Card Registration in Canada
SIM card registration using your passport information is not needed when buying a SIM card in Canada. However, if your purchase your SIM card from a third-party reseller, you will need to activate the SIM card on the operator's site or by visiting their (partner) stores.
Online activation, however, often requires the use of a Canada-issued debit or credit card. That is why you are better off activating your SIM card in (partner) stores.
Taxes & 911 Emergency Fee in Canada
Canada is one of the few countries where the price tag's price is not the final price you pay. You have to pay a federal Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 5% and a Provincial/Territorial Sales Tax (PST) or Retail Sales Tax (RST) – or Quebec Sales Tax in Quebec (QST) – between 0% and 10% on top of your purchase. This means the final price can be 15% more than the listed price, depending on the location of your purchase.
Some provinces and territories moved to the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) system where both the federal and regional taxes are listed as one tax and not separately.
All these taxes affect all purchases, including buying a SIM card, recharging your card, and buying plans.
Because the taxes differ per province and territory, the prices listed in this guide are without tax. However, below is an overview of the sales tax rates of the provinces and territories. Remember, you have to pay the federal GST rate of 5%, even if the province or territory has no regional sales tax itself:
| Province/Territory | Type | Provincial Tax Rate | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | GST | 0% | 5% |
| British Columbia | GST + PST | 7% | 12% |
| Manitoba | GST + RST | 7% | 12% |
| New Brunswick | HST | 10% | 15% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | HST | 10% | 15% |
| Northwest Territories | GST | 0% | 5% |
| Nova Scotia | HST | 10% | 15% |
| Nunavut | GST | 0% | 5% |
| Ontario | HST | 9% | 13% |
| Prince Edward Island | HST | 10% | 15% |
| Quebec | GST + QST | 9.975% | 14.975% |
| Saskatchewan | GST + PST | 6% | 11% |
| Yukon | GST | 0% | 5% |
GST: Goods and Service Tax
HST: Harmonized Sales Tax
PST: Provincial/Territorial Sales Tax
QST: Quebec Sales Tax
RST: Retail Sales Tax
Additionally, you will be charged a monthly municipal or provincial 911 emergency services fee to cover the costs for said services. This fee ranges between 0.41 CAD to 1.88 CAD depending on the province you are in and will be charged directly by the operator.
Although the 911 fee only applies to those on a plan inclusive of calling and texting, some operators will also charge the fee on data-only plans (even though those are exempt from this fee for now). A few operators charge a flat fee of 1.25 CAD, regardless of your plan and your location.
Canada Speeds, Internet Prices & Insights
North America is not known for having cheap mobile data rates. In fact, Northern America is the most expensive region for mobile data – especially for prepaid.
Honestly, sometimes, I think it may be better to rely on WIFI connections when in Canada because the prices are criminal – mostly because of the oligopoly in the Canadian telecom market.
Yes, that is the case in many countries around the world. But price fixing is incredible here. And the illusion of choice does not make things better.
So, how expensive is mobile data in Canada?
The average price for 1 GB of data in Canada is 5.72 USD, much less than the North American average of 8.21 USD. The world average is 4.07 USD.
Now, you may be thinking I was exaggerating a bit earlier because there are many countries with a much higher average for 1 GB (more than 40 countries). Plus, Bermuda is not playing any games with an average price of 1 GB of almost 20 USD.
But you should know that the North American average is the highest in any region in the world when using Cable.co.uk's definition of regions.
The thing is, the Canadian telecom market focuses more on postpaid customers or users on a plan. Prepaid customers, like you and I, will have to pay a premium for prepaid service in Canada.
You have to spend at least 29 CAD to get 1 GB of data on a prepaid plan (with Freedom Mobile). For comparison, spending a few dollars more can get you truly unlimited (and unthrottled) data in Taiwan.
Do you want 2GB or 2.5 GB of data? Be prepared to spend at least 35 CAD. Paying 50 CAD for 5 GB is not unheard of in Canada either.
For reference, the American average for 1 GB of data, which include North-, Central-, and South America plus the Caribbean, is 4.61 USD
So, you will pay top-dollar prices for data. Are the speeds any good?
Canada's average mobile download speed is around 94 Mbps, placing Canada in the top 15 fastest countries in the Global Index.
Those are incredible speeds! Almost double the world average.
As we learned earlier, 5G is not available to prepaid customers yet (and will not be for the forseeable future), so you should not expect extremely fast speeds outside of the metropolitan areas.
However, you should also know that many operators actively throttle prepaid speeds.
Not only are speeds often limited to 3G speeds, which is 3 Mbps (although true 3G/HSPA+ can be much faster) on 4G/LTE networks, some operators and MVNOs do not allow prepaid customers to even use 4G/LTE, making reliability worse than those on 4G/LTE.
So not only will data be expensive, you may not be able to take full advantage of the networks because you are using a prepaid SIM card.
I remember the first time I was in Canada, 2015, I was shocked at how expensive data was – at least, for prepaid (I had two Chatr Mobile SIM cards – 40 CAD for the plan and a 2 GB add-on for 25 CAD – so 65 CAD total). When writing this, six years later, things have barely changed.
You can find many videos on YouTube of (exchange) students or new immigrants being appalled about how pricey (and bad) mobile data is in Canada compared to their home countries.
Now that you know all of this, the price shock should be less severe.
North America Roaming in Canada
Many American and Mexican operators offer free roaming or roaming at attractive rates than standard Pay As You Go roaming rates.
Do note that if your operator offers free roaming in Canada, you may have a roaming (data) allowance or may be roaming at reduced speeds (often, that is 128 Kbps, which is extremely slow).
Even then, I would recommend checking whether your operator offers such a feature, as mobile data for prepaid customers is costly in Canada.
Currency in Canada
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar with the symbol CAD (which will be used throughout this guide). However, prices are often listed as just $ – sometimes also as C$, CA$ & Can$, but those formats are rather rare. For example, 25 CAD = C$/CA$/Can$/$25. For reference, below are some exchange rates between CAD and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 CAD = 0.80 USD
- 10 CAD = 8.05 USD
- 100 CAD = 80.65 USD
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card. Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks). I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!
Canadan Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Rogers, Chatr Mobile, Fido, Telus, Koodo Mobile, Public Mobile, Bell Canada, Lucky Mobile, Virgin Mobile Canada, Freedom Mobile, PC Mobile, Petro-Canada Mobility & SpeakOut 7-Eleven, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge / top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Canada has to offer to us.
Rogers
Rogers Communications, simply known as Rogers (or Rogers Wireless), is the largest operator in Canada (when counting the subscriber numbers of its Flanker brands Chatr Mobile & Fido that offer cheaper services than Rogers itself). However, it is only slightly ahead of the competition.
Rogers uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz (to be phased out on the 1st of January 2022)
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12, Band 13 & Band 17), 1700 MHz (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 600 MHz (n71), 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (n66) & 2600 MHz (n38)
This is what you will learn about Rogers:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Rogers SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Rogers
Rogers has extensive coverage throughout Canada.
At the time of writing, Rogers has the widest 5G range in Canada. However, prepaid customers cannot take advantage of 5G at this time (and not in the coming few years either, probably).
Even then, Rogers' coverage is great in the metro areas, cities, and many populated towns. Coverage in densely populated or remote areas may be lacking, just like the other Canadian operators. Rogers covers about 20% of Canadian land while covering more than 97% of the population (in other words, 97% of where Canadians live).
Below is the coverage map provided by Rogers.
Below is Rogers' general availability and 4G availability concluded by the Speedtest Best Mobile Coverage Canada Awards of 2020.
Below is the Rogers coverage map produced by the Speedtest app.
SIM Card Price – Rogers
You can get a Rogers SIM card for 10 CAD in Rogers Stores and Partner stores, including electronic shops and phone stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Rogers
Rogers top-up vouchers are available in Rogers stores and many other retailers (like grocery stores and electronic shops), starting from 10 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued cards are accepted.
Below is an overview of Rogers' top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Value | Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 30 days |
| 40 CAD | 30 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Rogers top-up voucher, dial *114*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *114*123456#.
You can also top up by calling +18005759090, dialing *611 or *868.
You can check your balance by dialing *225.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Rogers
Rogers has the Talk, Text & Data Plans and the Wireless Internet Add-Ons.
Talk, Text & Data Plans – Rogers
The Talk, Text & Data Plans are combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS.
The following Talk, Text & Data Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes (Daytime) | Unlimited Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 CAD | 500 MB | 100 minutes | Yes 2 | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 65 CAD | 1 GB | 150 minutes | Yes 2 | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for international use too
2 unlimited local minutes – evening: 18:00 – 7:00 & weekend: 18:00 & 7:00
Wireless Internet Add-Ons – Rogers
The Wireless Internet Add-Ons are data add-ons for the Talk, Text & Data Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can get one of the following Wireless Internet Add-Ons:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 CAD | 10 MB | 24 hours |
| 5 CAD | 60 MB | 7 days |
| 10 CAD | 100 MB | 30 days |
| 15 CAD | 250 MB | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | 500 MB | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | 2 GB | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Rogers
- Name: Rogers
- APN: internet.com
- Username: wapuser1
- Password: wap
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Chatr Mobile
Chatr Mobile, also known as simply Chatr or Chatr Wireless, is one of Rogers' flanker brands targeting entry-level/budget-minded customers.
To learn about Chatr Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Rogers' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Chatr Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Chatr Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Chatr Mobile
Chatr Mobile is a Rogers flanker brand. Chatr Mobile is directly owned by Rogers and uses the Rogers network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Rogers' network is extensive but not as widespread as Telus' and Bell's.
Below is the Chatr Mobile coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Chatr Mobile
Chatr Mobile SIM cards are available for 10 CAD in Chatr Stores or Retail Partners, such as electronic shops and convenience stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Chatr Mobile
Chatr Mobile top-up vouchers are available in Chatr Stores and many other retailers (like gas stations and convenience stores), starting from 5 CAD to 50 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued cards are accepted.
Below is an overview of Chatr Mobile top-up values:
- 5 CAD
- 10 CAD
- 25 CAD
- 40 CAD
- 50 CAD
To activate your Chatr Mobile top-up voucher, dial *233*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *233*123456#.
You can check your balance by dialing *225. Dial *100# to see your account information.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Chatr Mobile
Chatr Mobile has the Talk, Text & Data Plans and the Data Plan.
Do note that data speeds are throttled to 3G speeds, 3 Mbps, even while using Chatr Mobile's 4G/LTE network.
Talk, Text & Data – Chatr Mobile
The Talk, Text & Data Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Talk, Text & Data Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 35 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 40 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 50 CAD | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 55 CAD | 10 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
1 for calls to the United States too
2 for international use too
Data Plan – Chatr Mobile
The Data Plan is a plan with 500 MB of data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited international SMS.
| Price | Data | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
1 for international use too
APN/Internet Settings – Chatr Mobile
- Name: Chatr Mobile
- APN: chatrweb.apn
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Fido
Fido is one of Rogers' flanker brands after purchasing Fido back in 2004. Fido's target market is Millennials.
To learn about Fido's frequencies, jump back to Rogers' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Fido:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Fido SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Fido
Fido is a Rogers flanker brand. Fido is directly owned by Rogers and uses the Rogers network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Rogers' network is extensive but not as widespread as Telus' and Bell's.
Below is Fido's coverage map.
Do note that Extended Coverage, which is Rogers roaming on the Telus and Bell network, is not available to prepaid customers.
That is one reason why the Speedtest app's coverage map shows weaker coverage with Fido than Rogers itself.
SIM Card Price – Fido
You can buy a Fido SIM card for 10 CAD in Fido Stores and Partner Stores, including phone shops and electronic shops.
Topping Up & Recharging – Fido
Fido top-up vouchers are available in Fido Stores and many other retailers (like drug stores and post offices), starting from 10 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued credit cards are accepted (NO debit cards).
Below is an overview of Fido's top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Value | Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | 60 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Fido top-up voucher, dial *114*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *114*123456#.
You can also top up by dialing *868.
You can check your balance by dialing *225.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Fido
Fido has the Prepaid Plans and Data Add-Ons.
Prepaid Plans – Fido
The Prepaid Plans are combo plans with data, local minutes, and (international) SMS.
The following Prepaid Plans are available, which can be activated by calling 611:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | Talk & Text | N/A | 75 minutes | 75 SMS 1 | 1 month |
| 15 CAD | No Calls 250 MB | 250 MB | N/A | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 25 CAD | Talk & Text | N/A | 250 minutes | 250 SMS 1 | 1 month |
| 25 CAD | No Calls 500 MB | 500 MB | N/A | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 35 CAD | Talk & Text | N/A | 1000 minutes | 1000 SMS 1 | 1 month |
| 40 CAD | No Calls 1 GB | 1 GB | N/A | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 55 CAD | 750 MB | 750 MB | 500 minutes | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 60 CAD | 1 GB | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 70 CAD | 2 GB | 2 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
1 Canada-wide
2 Canada-wide & international numbers
Data Add-Ons – Fido
The Data Add-Ons are, as the name implies, data add-ons for the Prepaid Plans. However, you can only purchase a Data Add-On on Prepaid Plans without data (Talk & Text 15 CAD, 25 CAD & 35 CAD).
You can get one of the following Data Add-Ons:
| Price | Data |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 100 MB |
| 20 CAD | 500 MB |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB |
APN/Internet Settings – Fido
- Name: Fido
- APN: internet.fido.ca
- Username: fido
- Password: fido
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Telus
Telus Communications, simply known as Telus (or Telus Mobility), is the second-largest operator in Canada. It also has the fastest network in Canada. It has two flanker brands that offer cheaper services than Telus itself, Koodo Mobile & Public Mobile, with conditions attached.
Telus uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: Shut down
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12, Band 13, Band 17 & Band 29), 850 MHz (Band 5), 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (n66)
This is what you will learn about Telus:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Telus SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Telus
Telus has the best coverage in Canada.
Telus shares its 4G/LTE and 5G network with Bell. However, both Telus and Bell have their own antennas, hardware, and core networks. Telus' equipment is better than Bell's, which is why there is still a slight difference in coverage and speeds between Telus and Bell.
Telus has been rolling out 5G for a while. However, 5G is limited to postpaid customers – prepaid customers will not have access to 5G anytime soon.
Telus covers about 29% of Canadian land while covering more than 99% of the population (in other words, 99% of where Canadians live).
Below is the coverage map provided by Telus.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
Below is Telus' general availability and 4G availability concluded by the Speedtest Best Mobile Coverage Canada Awards of 2020, which Telus won.
Below is the Telus coverage map produced by the Speedtest app.
SIM Card Price – Telus
Telus SIM cards can be obtained for 20 CAD with 20 CAD in credit in Telus Stores and from other retailers, such as phone stores and electronic stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Telus
Telus top-up vouchers are available in Telus Stores and from other retailers (like drug stores and post offices), starting from 10 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued credit cards are accepted.
Below is an overview of Telus' top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Value | Validity |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD – 24.99 CAD | 30 days |
| 25 CAD – 99.99 CAD | 60 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Telus top-up voucher, dial #123, select option 1, and enter your Voucher Code.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial #123, select option 1, and enter 123456.
You can check your balance by dialing #123.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Telus
Telus has the Talk, Text & Data Plans and the Add-Ons.
Talk, Text & Data Plans – Telus
The Talk, Text & Data Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes and calls to the US, and unlimited local SMS.
The following Talk, Text & Data Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 CAD | Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 35 | 500 MB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 45 CAD | Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 45 | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 50 | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 60 CAD | Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 60 | 8 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 for calls to the United States too (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)
Add-Ons – Telus
The Add-Ons are data add-ons for the Talk, Text & Data Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone data plans.
You can get one of the following Add-Ons:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 CAD | Data 10 | 100 MB | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | Data 20 | 500 MB | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | Data 30 | 1 GB | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Telus
- Name: Telus
- APN: sp.telus.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Koodo Mobile
Koodo Mobile, also known as simply Koodo, is one of Telus' flanker brands. It targets younger customers.
To learn about Koodo Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Telus' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Koodo Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Koodo Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Koodo Mobile
Koodo Mobile is a Telus flanker brand. Koodo Mobile is directly owned by Telus and uses the Telus network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Telus has the best network in Canada and shares its network with Bell.
Below is Koodo Mobile's coverage map.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
SIM Card Price – Koodo Mobile
You can get a Koodo SIM card for 20 CAD with 20 CAD in credit in Koodo stores and Partner stores, including grocery stores and gas stations.
Topping Up & Recharging – Koodo Mobile
Koodo Mobile top-up vouchers are available in Koodo Stores and many other retailers (like gas stations and convenience stores), starting from 10 CAD to 50 CAD.
To activate your Koodo Mobile top-up voucher, dial *611 and follow the instructions.
You can check your balance by dialing *611.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Koodo Mobile
Koodo Mobile has the Base Plans and the Data Boosters.
Base Plans – Koodo Mobile
The Base Plans are combo plans with data, local minutes, and local/international SMS.
The following Base Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | N/A | 100 minutes 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 40 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 45 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 55 CAD | 8 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | N/A | 100 minutes 1 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB | N/A | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 35 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 45 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
| 60 CAD | 8 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited 3 | 30 days |
1 province-wide
2 Canada-wide
3 for international use too
Data Boosters – Koodo Mobile
The Data Boosters are data add-ons for the Base Plans. The allowance of a Data Booster does not expire and can be rolled over unlimited times when your Base Plan renews. Data Boosters can, however, not be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Data Boosters:
| Price | Data |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 100 MB |
| 20 CAD | 500 MB |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB |
APN/Internet Settings – Koodo Mobile
- Name: Koodo
- APN: sp.koodo.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Public Mobile
Public Mobile is one of Telus' flanker brands. Although it was initially launched as a self-service (digital-only) value brand in 2010 to increase competition in the Canadian telecom market, it was bought up by Telus in 2013. Public Mobile targets budget-minded customers.
To learn about Public Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Telus' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Public Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Public Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Public Mobile
Public Mobile is a Telus flanker brand. Public Mobile is directly owned by Telus and uses the Telus network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Telus has the best network in Canada and shares its network with Bell.
Below is Public Mobile's coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Public Mobile
Public Mobile SIM cards are available for 10 CAD in mobile shops, convenience stores, and Koodo stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Public Mobile
Public Mobile top-up vouchers are available in various stores, like grocery stores, mobile shops, and electronic stores, starting from 5 CAD to 60 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued cards are accepted.
To activate your Publicr Mobile top-up voucher, dial *611 and follow the instructions.
You can check your balance by dialing *611.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Public Mobile
Public Mobile has the Plans and Data Add-Ons.
Plans – Public Mobile
The Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | N/A | 100 minutes | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 35 CAD | 2.5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 40 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for international use too
Data Add-Ons – Public Mobile
The Data Add-Ons are, as the name implies, data add-ons for the Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Data Add-Ons:
| Price | Data |
|---|---|
| 5 CAD | 200 MB |
| 15 CAD | 1 GB |
APN/Internet Settings – Public Mobile
- Name: Public Mobile
- APN: sp.mb.com
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Bell Canada
Bell Canada, simply known as Bell (or Bell Mobility), is the third-largest operator in Canada. It has two flanker brands that offer cheaper services than Bell itself, Lucky Mobile & Virgin Mobile Canada, with conditions attached.
Bell uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: Shut down
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 12, Band 13, Band 17 & Band 29), 850 MHz (Band 5), 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: 1700 MHz/2100 MHz – AWS (n66)
This is what you will learn about Bell:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Bell SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Bell Canada
Bell has extensive coverage throughout Canada.
Bell shares its 4G/LTE and 5G network with Telus. However, both Bell and Telus have their own antennas, hardware, and core networks. Bell's equipment is slightly worse than Telus, which is why there is still a slight difference in coverage and speeds between ‘Bell and Telus.
Bell has been rolling out 5G for a while. However, 5G is limited to postpaid customers – prepaid customers will not have access to 5G anytime soon.
Bell covers about 29% of Canadian land while covering more than 99% of the population (in other words, 99% of where Canadians live).
Below is the coverage map provided by Bell.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
Below is Bell's general availability and 4G availability concluded by the Speedtest Best Mobile Coverage Canada Awards of 2020.
Below is the Bell coverage map produced by the Speedtest app.
SIM Card Price – Bell Canada
You can buy a Bell SIM card for 10 CAD in Bell Stores and Partner Stores, including phone shops and electronic shops.
Topping Up & Recharging – Bell Canada
Fido top-up vouchers are available in Bell Stores and Partner Stores (like drug stores and post offices), starting from 15 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued credit cards are accepted (NO debit cards).
Below is an overview of Fido's top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Voucher | Validity |
|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 60 days |
| 50 CAD | 60 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Fido top-up voucher, dial *114*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *114*123456#.
You can also top up by dialing *868.
You can check your balance by dialing *225.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Bell Canada
Bell has the Prepaid Voice and Data Plans and Data Add-Ons.
Prepaid Voice and Data Plans – Bell Canada
The Prepaid Voice and Data Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Prepaid Voice and Data Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 CAD | Unlimited talk and text + 500 MB | 500 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 45 CAD | Unlimited talk and text + 2 GB | 2 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 50 CAD | Unlimited talk and text + 4.5 GB | 4.5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 60 CAD | Unlimited talk and text + 8 GB | 8 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
1 for international use too
Data Add-Ons – Bell Canada
The Data Add-Ons are, as the name implies, data add-ons for the Prepaid Voice and Data Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Data Add-Ons:
| Price | Data |
|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 100 MB |
| 20 CAD | 500 MB |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB |
| 50 CAD | 2 GB |
APN/Internet Settings – Bell Canada
- Name: Bell
- APN: pda.bell.ca
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile is one of Bell's flanker brands. It is one of the newer players in the Canadian telecom market. Lucky Mobile targets budget-minded customers.
To learn about Lucky Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Bell's frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Lucky Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Lucky Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile is a Bell flanker brand. Lucky Mobile is directly owned by Bell and uses the Bell network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Although Bell shares its network with Telus, which has the best network in Canada, Bell's hardware is not as reliable as Telus', which is why Bell's network is not the best together with Telus.
Below is Lucky Mobile's coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Lucky Mobile
You can get a Lucky Mobile SIM card for 20 CAD from Lucky Mobile Retail Partners, including electronic shops and phone stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile top-up vouchers are available from Lucky Mobile Retail Partners, such as gas stations, pharmacies, and grocery stores, starting from 15 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued cards are accepted.
Below is an overview of Lucky Mobile top-up values:
- 15 CAD
- 20 CAD
- 25 CAD
- 50 CAD
- 100 CAD
To activate your Fido top-up voucher, dial *111 and follow the instructions.
You can check your balance by dialing *58249.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile has the Plans and Data Add-Ons.
Plans – Lucky Mobile
The Plans are combo plans with data, local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | Canada-Wide Data Only Plan – 500 MB | 500 MB | N/A | N/A | 1 month |
| 15 CAD | 100 Minutes Canada-Wide Calling Plan | N/A | 100 minutes 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 25 CAD | Unlimited Canada-Wide Canada Plan – 500 MB | 500 MB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 35 CAD | Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan 2.5 GB | 2.5 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 40 CAD | Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan – 4.5 GB | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 50 CAD | Unlimited Canada-Wide & US Calling Plan – 10 GB | 10 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
1 Canada-wide
2 for international use too
Data Add-On – Lucky Mobile
The Data Add-On is an Add-On with 2 GB of data.
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 2 GB | 1 month |
APN/Internet Settings – Lucky Mobile
- Name: Lucky Mobile
- APN: connect
- MMSC: http://mms.luckymobile.ca/mms/wapenc
- APN Type: default,dun,supl,mms
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile Canada, just Virgin Mobile, is one of Bell's flanker brands. It targets teens (Gen Z) and Millennials.
To learn about Virgin Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Bell's frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Virgin Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Virgin Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile is a Bell flanker brand. Virgin Mobile is directly owned by Bell and uses the Bell network – it does not have its own mobile infrastructure. Although Bell shares its network with Telus, which has the best network in Canada, Bell's hardware is not as reliable as Telus', which is why Bell's network is not the best together with Telus.
Below is Virgin Mobile's coverage map.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
SIM Card Price – Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile SIM cards are available for 10 CAD in Virgin Mobile Stores and Retail Partner stores, such as electronic shops and phone stores.
Topping Up & Recharging – Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile top-up vouchers are available in Virgin Mobile Stores and Retail Partner stores (like drug stores and post offices), starting from 15 CAD to 100 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued credit cards are accepted (NO debit cards).
Below is an overview of Virgin Mobile's top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Voucher | Online Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 15 CAD – 24 CAD | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 25 CAD – 49 CAD | 60 days |
| 50 CAD | 50 CAD – 99 CAD | 60 days |
| 100 CAD | 100 CAD – 200 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Virgin Mobile top-up voucher, dial #111 and follow the instructions.
You can check your balance by dialing #999.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile has the Monthly Plans and Add-Ons.
Monthly Plans – Virgin Mobile Canada
The Monthly Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local SMS.
The following Monthly Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | N/A | 100 minutes | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 20 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 25 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 30 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 30 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 35 CAD | 500 MB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 40 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 45 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 45 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 50 CAD | 4.5 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 55 CAD | 8 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 60 CAD | 8 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
| 75 CAD | 10 GB | Unlimited 2 | Unlimited | 1 month |
1 province-wide
2 Canada-wide
Add-Ons – Virgin Mobile Canada
The Add-Ons are data add-ons for the Monthly Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Add-Ons:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 250 MB | 1 month |
| 28 CAD | 1 GB | 1 month |
APN/Internet Settings – Virgin Mobile Canada
- Name: Internet
- APN: inet.bell.ca
- MMSC: https://mms.bell.ca/mms/wabenc
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile, formerly known as Wind Mobile until 2016, is the smallest operator (6% market share) in Canada with nationwide coverage. Its native coverage is limited to mostly the metro areas. However, it is the cheapest operator in the country.
Freedom Mobile uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A
- 3G: 1700 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13), 1700 MHz – AWS (Band 4 & Band 66) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
- 5G NR: Pending development
This is what you will learn about Freedom Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Freedom Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile has limited coverage throughout Canada and has the worst coverage of the four Main Operators.
Freedom Mobile covers the metro areas and large cities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. It has a national roaming agreement (Nationwide) with Rogers, Telus, and Bell, where Freedom Mobile has no native coverage.
Freedom Mobile covers about 1% of Canadian land. Regional operators, like Videotron and SaskTel, perform better than Freedom Mobile in that regard. However, Freedom Mobile is present in the metro areas, making them cover about 43% of the population (in other words, 43% of where Canadians live).
Below are the coverage maps provided by Freedom Mobile. First, we have the 3G & LTE coverage map.
Next, we have Freedom Mobile's Extended Range LTE coverage map.
Below is the Freedom Mobile coverage map produced by the Speedtest app.
SIM Card Price – Freedom Mobile
You can buy a Freedom Mobile SIM card for 10 CAD in Freedom Mobile Stores and Authorized Retailers, including phone shops and electronic shops.
Do note that an activation fee of 30 CAD applies when you activate a Freedom Mobile SIM card.
Topping Up & Recharging – Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile top-up vouchers are available in Freedom Mobile Stores and Authorized Retailers (like grocery stores and electronic shops), starting from 5 CAD to 40 CAD.
It is also possible to top-up online. However, only Canada-issued cards are accepted.
To activate your Freedom Mobile top-up voucher, dial *123# and follow the instructions.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *114*123456#.
You can check your balance by dialing *123#.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile has the Freedom Prepaid by Month Plans and Add-Ons.
Freedom Prepaid By Month – Freedom Mobile
The Freedom Prepaid By Month Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Freedom Prepaid by Month Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 CAD | N/A | N/A | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 24 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 29 CAD | 1 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 2 | 1 month |
| 39 CAD | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 99 CAD | N/A | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 1 year |
| 179 CAD | 5 GB/month (60 GB) | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 1 year |
1 Canada-wide
2 for international use too
Add-Ons – Freedom Mobile
The Add-Ons are data-only or data and call add-ons for the Freedom Prepaid by Month Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Add-Ons:
| Price | Add-On | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 1 GB Freedom Nationwide Data Pass | 1 GB | 1 month |
| 20 CAD | 1 GB Freedom Nationwide + U.S. | 1 GB 1 | 1 month |
| 25 CAD | 5 GB Freedom | 5 GB | 1 month |
| 30 CAD | 2 GB Freedom Nationwide Add-On | 2 GB | 1 month |
| 45 CAD | 3 GB Freedom Nationwide Add-On | 3 GB | 1 month |
1 can be used in the United States too
APN/Internet Settings – Freedom Mobile
- Name: Freedom Mobile
- APN: internet.freedommobile.ca
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
PC Mobile
PC Mobile is a mobile brand by President's Choice, which is a Canadian store brand. It is a Bell MVNO.
To learn about PC Mobile's frequencies, jump back to Bell's frequencies.
This is what you will learn about PC Mobile:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a PC Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – PC Mobile
PC Mobile is a Bell MVNO, meaning PC Mobile uses the Bell network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
Below is PC Mobile's coverage map.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
SIM Card Price – PC Mobile
PC Mobile SIM cards can be obtained for 10 CAD in supermarkets.
Topping Up & Recharging – PC Mobile
PC Mobile top-up vouchers are available in supermarkets, starting from 15 CAD to 100 CAD.
Below is an overview of PC Mobile's top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Voucher | Validity |
|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 60 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your PC Mobile top-up voucher, dial *7266 and follow the instructions.
You can check your balance by dialing *123#.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – PC Mobile
PC Mobile has the Plans and Add-Ons.
Plans – PC Mobile
The Plans are combo plans with data, unlimited on-net minutes, (un)limited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Plans are available:
| Price | Data | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 CAD | N/A | Unlimited | 50 minutes | N/A | 30 days |
| 15 CAD | N/A | Unlimited | 100 minutes | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 30 CAD | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 40 CAD | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 50 CAD | 6 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for international use too
Add-Ons – PC Mobile
The Add-Ons are data add-ons for the Plans. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.
You can activate one of the following Add-Ons:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 10 CAD | 1 GB | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | 2 GB | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – PC Mobile
- Name: Freedom Mobile
- APN: internet.freedommobile.ca
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
- Name: Internet
- APN: pda.bell.ca
- MMSC: http://mms.bell.ca/mms/wapenc
- APN Type: default,supl,mms
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Petro-Canada Mobility
Petro-Canada Mobility is a mobile brand by Petro-Canada. Petro-Canada's parent company, Suncor Energy, is one of the leading oil and gas companies in Canada. Petro-Canada Mobility is a Rogers MVNO.
To learn about Petro-Canada Mobility's frequencies, jump back to Rogers' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about Petro-Canada Mobility:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a Petro-Canada Mobility SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | PhoneBox | SpeakOut
Coverage – Petro-Canada Mobility
Petro-Canada Mobility is a Rogers MVNO, meaning Petro-Canada Mobility uses the Rogers network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
Below is Petro-Canada Mobility's coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Petro-Canada Mobility
You can get a Petro-Canada Mobility SIM card for 10 CAD in Petro-Canada gas stations.
Topping Up & Recharging – Petro-Canada Mobility
Rogers top-up vouchers are available in Petro-Canada gas stations, starting from 15 CAD to 100 CAD.
Below is an overview of Petro-Canada Mobility's top-up values and the credit validity:
| Top-Up Voucher | Validity |
|---|---|
| 15 CAD | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 120 days |
| 30 CAD | 120 days |
| 40 CAD | 120 days |
| 50 CAD | 180 days |
| 100 CAD | 365 days |
To activate your Petro-Canada Mobility top-up voucher, dial *888*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *888*123456#.
You can check your balance by dialing *777#.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Petro-Canada Mobility
Petro-Canada Mobility has the 30 Day Plans with data, local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
Do note that Petro-Canada Mobility does not have access to Rogers' 4G/LTE network – you will be restricted to 3G use only.
The following Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 CAD | N/A | 100 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | N/A | 200 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | N/A | 300 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 35 CAD | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 45 CAD | 3 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 55 CAD | 5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for international use too
APN/Internet Settings – Petro-Canada Mobility
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
- Name: Petro-Canada
- APN: rogers-core-appl1.apn
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
PhoneBox Canada
PhoneBox Canada, just PhoneBox, is an MVNO offering cheaper services than the Main Operators. It is a Rogers MVNO.
To learn about PhoneBox's frequencies, jump back to Rogers' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about PhoneBox:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a PhoneBox SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | SpeakOut
Coverage – PhoneBox Canada
PhoneBox is a Rogers MVNO, meaning PhoneBox uses the Rogers network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
Below is PhoneBox's coverage map.
Do not be fooled: 4G HSPA+ is not the same as 4G/LTE. 4G HSPA+ is a marketing gimmick – it is simply 3.75G.
SIM Card Price – PhoneBox Canada
PhoneBox SIM cards are available for 10 CAD in PhoneBox stores or Retail Partners, such as gift shops or touristy places (tourist information & tour guides).
Topping Up & Recharging – PhoneBox Canada
PhoneBox top-up vouchers are available in PhoneBox stores in Toronto and Vancouver, or you can top-up online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – PhoneBox Canada
PhoneBox has its Prepaid Plans with data, unlimited local minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Prepaid Plans are available:
| Price | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 CAD | N/A | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 35 CAD | 5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 40 CAD | 10 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 45 CAD | 5 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 55 CAD | 15 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
| 60 CAD | 20 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited 1 | 1 month |
1 for international use too
APN/Internet Settings – PhoneBox Canada
- Name: PhoneBox
- APN: ltemobile.apn
- MMSC: http://mms.gprs.rogers.com
- Proxy Server: 10.128.1.69
- Port: 80
- Authentication Type: None
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched. If your SIM card was proved by Telus or Bell, use the APN settings mentioned on this page.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
SpeakOut, formerly known as 7-Eleven SpeakOut, is a mobile brand by 7-Eleven Canada. SpeakOut is a Rogers MVNO.
To learn about SpeakOut's frequencies, jump back to Rogers' frequencies.
This is what you will learn about SpeakOut:
Click on the links above to jump to the section you are interested in.
* Coverage
* How to Get a SpeakOut SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Top-Up Methods & Options
* Packages & Plans
* APN Settings
Jump to: Rogers | Chatr | Fido | Telus | Koodo | Public Mobile | Bell | Lucky Mobile | Virgin Mobile | Freedom Mobile | PC Mobile | Petro-Canada Mobility | PhoneBox
Coverage – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
SpeakOut is a Rogers MVNO, meaning SpeakOut uses the Rogers network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.
Below is SpeakOut's coverage map.
SIM Card Price – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
You can buy a SpeakOut card for 10 CAD in 7-Elevens.
Topping Up & Recharging – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
SpeakOut top-up vouchers are available in 7-Elevens, starting from 25 CAD to 100 CAD.
Each top-up, regardless of value, extends your SIM card's validity by 365 days. Below is an overview of SpeakOut's top-up values.
- 25 CAD
- 35 CAD
- 50 CAD
- 100 CAD
To activate your SpeakOut top-up voucher, dial *888*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *888*123456#.
You can check your balance by dialing *777# or *777*1#.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
SpeakOut has the Basic Plans and the Smartphone Plans.
Do note that SpeakOut does not have access to Rogers' 4G/LTE network – you will be restricted to 3G use only.
Basic Plans – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
The Basic Plans are combo plans with data, local minutes, and unlimited local/US-bound SMS.
The following Basic Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 CAD | Unlimited Text Plan | N/A | N/A | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 10 CAD | 100 MB Data Plan | 100 MB | N/A | N/A | 30 days |
| 20 CAD | 200 Minutes w/ Unlimited Text Plan | N/A | 200 minutes | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 25 CAD | 300 Minutes w/ Unlimited Text Plan | N/A | 300 minutes | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for calls to the United States too
Smartphone Plans – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
The SmartPhone plans are combo plans with data, unlimited local/international minutes, and unlimited local/international SMS.
The following Smartphone Plans are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 CAD | Unlimited Talk and Text and 1 GB Data | 1 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 35 CAD | 2 GB Data Plan | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
| 45 CAD | Unlimited Talk and Text and 3 GB Data | 3 GB | Unlimited 1 | Unlimited 1 | 30 days |
1 for international use too
APN/Internet Settings – SpeakOut (7-Eleven)
- Name: SpeakOut
- APN: rogers-core-appl1.apn
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Other Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling in Canada
I would highly encourage anyone visiting Canada to get themselves a Canadian SIM card – you will be saving a lot of money when you do so.
However, for some, getting a Canadian SIM card is not an option. For example, your device may be SIM-locked, meaning that you cannot use any SIM card other than the SIM card provided by your operator.
There are other ways to stay online while in Canada, but they may not be cheap.
However, these methods may be more expensive than getting a SIM card from the two local operators.
International Roaming
International roaming is the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling in other countries because you do not have to buy a new SIM card, have to deal with SIM card registration regulations, nor have multiple phone numbers to deal with.
However, international roaming has proven to be expensive in many cases, especially compared to buying local SIM cards. That is why many travelers are not fond of international roaming.
International roaming has its pros and cons. However, it is important to know how it works. This in-depth guide explains it all.
Find out whether your mobile operator has attractive roaming rates for Canada here.
Using an International SIM Card or Travel SIM Card
International SIM cards are SIM cards made for the traveler in mind. Using them is often cheaper than international roaming. However, they are almost always more expensive than using a local SIM card.
There are many other advantages and disadvantages of getting international SIM cards, which you can learn about here.
Using a Mobile Hotspot (Pocket WIFI)
Mobile hotspots, or pocket WIFI, are small devices that connect to the local operators of the country you are visiting. Mobile hotspots are ideal for families or those traveling in a large group, as they allow you to connect multiple devices to one hotspot without the need of each traveler having to buy a SIM card.
You can either buy a mobile hotspot or rent one.
Using Free WIFI Networks
Using free WIFI connections is the cheapest way to stay connected because they are free. The major downside of trying to use WIFI hotspots is that you will have to locate them, and they are not available on every corner in Canada.
Make sure to protect your internet traffic with a VPN so that hackers cannot steal your personal data.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Canada
Getting a SIM card from Telus, Koodo, or Public Mobile would do you well when considering a Canadian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other North American Countries
Visiting other countries in North America? Check out my North America SIM card buying guide, covering other North American nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience? Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel! Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises, and accommodation. Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling? In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services, and products I have for this site and my YouTube channel. If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally. Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
Sign Up for the Phone Travel Wiz Newsletter
Sign up for my newsletter: Get an excel sheet of the best SIM cards of over 230+ destinations around the world! Moreover, I send you many tips and tricks on how to save money while traveling every now and then.
Let's Be Social
Did you know that I have a YouTube channel covering everything you need to know about traveling with your phone? A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!
Learn More About Who Adu Actually Is
Who is the guy behind Phone Travel Wiz? Well, find out on the Ernest Adu about page!
