Mobile & internet plans in Canada
Phone and internet are early decisions because they affect apartment viewings, banking verification, job replies, and daily life. Canada can feel expensive compared with many countries, so compare before signing.
New to Canada
How mobile and internet work in Canada
Phone and internet are early decisions — they affect apartment viewings, banking verification, and job replies. Here is the quick mental model before you compare plans.
The three networks
Rogers, Bell, and Telus own most of the infrastructure. Nearly every plan runs on one of these networks, so coverage is often similar — the price and terms are what differ.
Value & prepaid brands
Cheaper brands run on the same towers: Fido and Chatr (Rogers), Koodo and Public Mobile (Telus), Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile (Bell), plus independents like Fizz and Freedom Mobile.
Prepaid vs postpaid
Prepaid means you pay first, with no credit check — the easiest option for newcomers. Postpaid is billed monthly and can require a credit check or deposit until you build Canadian credit.
BYOD vs financed phone
Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) plans are cheapest and let you switch anytime. A financed phone spreads the device cost over ~24 months but locks you into the provider.
Home internet types
Cable and fibre are the most common; DSL is older and slower. Fibre is fastest and most reliable where available. Match the speed to your household rather than buying the top tier.
Internet providers
The big three sell internet too, alongside independents like Oxio, TekSavvy, and Fizz that often undercut them. Availability depends on your building and postal code.
General advice for newcomers
- Compare before you sign — prices vary a lot for near-identical coverage.
- Avoid long contracts in your first weeks until you know your real data and speed needs.
- Start with prepaid or BYOD, then upgrade once your setup and credit are stable.
- Check availability at your exact postal code — internet options change by address.
- Watch the promo expiry date; intro pricing often jumps after 3–12 months.
Live comparison
Compare current plans
Search live plans below, then use the guidance and Canooq picks to sanity-check the deal.
Plan prices and availability change often.
Availability depends on your postal code, and promotional prices can rise after an intro period. Always confirm the final price, contract length, and terms directly with the provider before signing up.
Compare mobile plans
Filter by data, price, and network. Most newcomers do fine on a smaller data plan with Wi-Fi at home.
Compare internet plans
Filter by speed, price, and provider. Match the speed to your household rather than buying the fastest tier.
Canooq picks
Newcomer-friendly providers we like
Canooq's own picks, separate from the live comparison. Some links may be referral links that support Canooq at no cost to you.
Oxio
Home internet
Flat-rate internet with no contracts and simple pricing — a popular first-apartment pick.
Learn more →
Public Mobile
Mobile
Low-cost SIM plans on the Telus network. Great for a cheap BYOD line while you settle in.
Learn more →
Fizz
Mobile + internet
Referral-friendly mobile and internet in QC/ON, with data rollover and gifting.
Learn more →How to choose a phone plan
Start with how much data you really use. With Wi-Fi at home and work, 5–15 GB covers most people; heavy streamers and hotspot users need more. Then choose BYOD over a financed phone if you already own an unlocked device — it is almost always better value.
Check coverage where you live and commute, whether calling is Canada-wide, and the price after any promo. Smaller carriers on the big networks often beat the flagship brands for a first line.
How much internet speed do you need?
Speed is measured in Mbps. One or two people browsing and streaming HD are comfortable on 50–100 Mbps. A busy household with 4K, gaming, and video calls at once is better on 300 Mbps or more. Upload speed matters if you work from home.
Do not overpay for a gigabit plan you will not use. Match the tier to your real household, and remember Wi-Fi coverage and the router matter as much as the headline number.
BYOD vs a financed phone
BYOD keeps your bill low and your options open. A financed phone bundles the device into the plan, which can look cheaper but locks you in and hides the real cost.
If you need a phone, compare the total: plan plus 24-month financing versus a cheaper BYOD plan plus buying a phone outright or used.
Newcomer phone setup
Before you land, consider a travel eSIM so you are reachable at the airport. Once here, postpaid accounts may need ID and sometimes a Canadian address or deposit; prepaid skips the credit check.
A working Canadian number matters early — it is used for banking, two-factor codes, jobs, and rental references. Start cheap, then upgrade.
Common mobile plan traps
- Promo pricing that jumps after the intro period — check the price after 3–12 months.
- Financed-phone plans that lock you in and hide the true monthly cost of the device.
- Overage and roaming charges — confirm Canada-wide calling and any US/international add-ons.
- Autopay-only discounts and paper-bill fees that quietly change the advertised price.
Cancellation & switching fees
Before switching, check for an early-cancellation fee or a remaining device balance — these are what catch people out. Month-to-month BYOD plans are usually free to leave.
To keep your number, ask the new provider to port it in; do not cancel the old line first or you can lose the number.
Switching checklist
- Check your current contract end date and any early-cancellation or device-balance fee.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and compatible with the new provider's network.
- Keep your number: ask the new provider to port it — don't cancel the old line first.
- Note your account number and any transfer PIN before you start.
- Test coverage at home and work with the new network before fully committing.
What to check before signing up
- Confirm the plan is available at your postal code — price and availability vary by address.
- Read the price after any promotional period, not just the intro rate.
- Check contract length, activation fees, and the cost to cancel early.
- Confirm data caps, throttling, and Canada-wide vs regional calling.
- Save the final terms and your confirmation number in case the price changes later.
Mobile & internet questions
Why are Canadian phone plans expensive?
Pricing depends on provider, network, data, device financing, promotions, and region. Compare current options instead of assuming previous-country pricing.
Do I need Canadian credit for a phone plan?
Prepaid can be easier without Canadian credit. Some postpaid plans may involve checks.
Should I finance a phone right away?
Usually compare total cost first. A cheaper BYOD plan can be simpler for newcomers.
Important disclaimer
This guide is practical information, not financial or legal advice. Plan prices, availability, and provider terms change and depend on your postal code. Confirm the final price and terms directly with the provider before signing up.