List of Canadian mobile phone companies

This is a list of mobile telephony providers in Canada.

As of Q3 2016, there are over 30 million wireless subscriptions in Canada.[1] Approximately 90% of Canadian mobile phone users subscribe to one of the three largest national telecommunication companies (Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, and Telus Mobility) or one of their subsidiary brands. These three mobile network operators own and operate transmission facilities that cover most of the country, though they sometimes share each other's networks in certain geographical regions in order to reduce costs and reach more customers.

The remaining 10% of subscribers are served by smaller, regional providers, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and resellers.[2] Regional providers own and operate transmission facilities that cover a limited area and rely on partnerships with national service providers to connect their customers across Canada. In contrast, MVNOs and resellers do not own spectrum or network infrastructure and are required to lease network capacity from other providers at wholesale rates. While MVNOs have their own facilities to package and support their mobile services, resellers rely on the host network provider to package, market, bill, and deliver mobile services.[3]

All wireless service providers in Canada are regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which has been blamed by some for the concentration of wireless service subscribers to only three large national carriers. Though measures have been taken to encourage more competition, critics suggest that more should be done to address the issue, e.g. by mandating wholesale network access for MVNOs.[4][5]

Mobile network operators

This is a list of mobile network operators, which includes national and regional service providers. Where applicable, this list will also include any subsidiary "extension" brands associated with a mobile service provider. While primary brands, such as Rogers Wireless or Bell Mobility, account for roughly 82% of wireless revenue, extension brands allow wireless service providers to differentiate service offerings and reach broader market segments.[6]

This list is ordered from largest to smallest by the number of current subscriptions.

Parent company Brands and subsidiaries % of Canadian population covered Subscriptions Blended ARPU monthly
Postpaid Prepaid Total
Rogers Communications Rogers Wireless, Fido Mobile, Chatr Mobile, Cityfone LTE: 96%
HSPA+: 98%
GSM: 97%		 8,839,000 1,786,000 10,625,000 $61.94 (2017 Q3)
BCE Inc. Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Solo Mobile, Bell MTS LTE: 97%
HSPA+: 98%
[7][note 1]		 8,243,446 764,827 9,008,273 $69.78 (2017 Q3)
Telus Corporation[note 2] Telus Mobility, Koodo Mobile, Public Mobile LTE: 97%
HSPA+: 98%
[8][note 1]		 7,868,000 956,000 8,824,000 [9] $67.04 (2017 Q3)
Shaw Communications Freedom Mobile LTE: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver[10][11]

HSPA+: 98%[11]
[note 3]

 944,838 373,006 1,317,844 $39.84 (2018 Q3)
VidéotronVidéotron Mobile, Fizz MobileQuébec and OttawaN/A1,000,000 [12] $69.44
SaskTel SaskTel Mobility Saskatchewan
LTE (Saskatchewan): 99%[13]
HSPA+ (Saskatchewan): 99%		 N/A 615,882 $64.39
Eastlink Eastlink Wireless Atlantic Canada and Northeastern Ontario N/A
Iristel Ice Wireless Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut N/A
Tbaytel Tbaytel Mobility Northwestern Ontario N/A
TNW Networks TNW Wireless Northwestern British Columbia and Yukon N/A
Lynx Mobility Lynx Mobility Northern Quebec N/A
Keewaytinook Mobile Keewaytinook Mobile Northern Ontario N/A
Sogetel Sogetel Quebec N/A
Xplornet Xplore Mobile Manitoba N/A
References:[14]
  1. 1 2 Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility have a multiple operator core network agreement to provide a common radio network to the customer (distinct from a roaming arrangement, where the radio networks are separate). Bell builds most of its towers in Eastern Canada, while most of Telus' towers are in Western Canada.
  2. ↑ Telus numbers include those of recently acquired of Public and may be different from CWTA-reported.
  3. ↑ Figure includes partner network coverage. Freedom Mobile operates its own network in Southern Ontario, Greater Vancouver Area, Calgary and Edmonton.

Mobile networks

Operator Technology Frequency Ownership Roaming
GSM
 CDMA HSPA+ LTE
 PCS
 AWS
Bell Mobility NoShut down 2018YesYesYesYesBell Canada EnterprisesTelus Mobility / SaskTel
Eastlink Wireless NoNoYesYesNoYesEastlinkRogers Wireless / Bell Mobility
Freedom Mobile NoNoYesYes[15]NoYesShaw CommunicationsRogers Wireless / Telus Mobility / Bell Mobility
Ice Wireless YesNoYesYesYesNoIce WirelessRogers Wireless / Videotron
Keewaytinook Mobile YesNoNoNoNoNoKeewaytinook Okimakanak's (KO) Kuhkenah NetworkRogers Wireless
Lynx Mobility YesNoNoNoYesNoLynx MobilityBell Mobility / Telus Mobility
Rogers Wireless Shut down planned 2020[16]NoYesYesYesYesRogers CommunicationsBell Mobility / Telus Mobility / SaskTel / TBayTel / ICE Wireless
SaskTel Mobility NoShut down in July 2017YesYesYesYesSaskTelBell Mobility / Telus Mobility
Sogetel Mobilité NoShut down plannedYesNoYesNoSogetelBell Mobility
TBayTel Mobility NoNoYesYesYesNoThunder Bay TelephoneRogers Wireless
Telus Mobility NoShut down 2014YesYesYesYesTelus CommunicationsBell Mobility / SaskTel
TNW Wireless YesNoYesNoNoNoTNW Wireless Inc.
Vidéotron Mobile NoNoYesYesNoYesVidéotronRogers Wireless
A Shut down in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Thunder Bay area of Ontario and Gaspé region of Quebec.[17]

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) and resellers

OperatorOwnershipNetwork provider
7-Eleven Speak Out WirelessZtar MobileRogers
Cansel ConnectCanselRogers (M2M)
ChatrRogers CommunicationsRogers
DCI WirelessDCI TelecomTelus
Execulink MobilityExeculink TelecomBell
Fido SolutionsRogers CommunicationsRogers
good2go Mobile CanadaZtar MobileRogers
KORE WirelessKORE TelematicsRogers (M2M)
Koodo MobileTelus CommunicationsTelus
Lucky MobileBell MobilityBell
OnStarGeneral MotorsBell (M2M)
PC MobileLoblawsBell (prepaid)
Public MobileTelus CommunicationsTelus
Petro-Canada MobilityZtar MobileRogers
Virgin Mobile CanadaBell MobilityBell
Zoomer WirelessZoomer WirelessRogers
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Push-to-talk networks

OperatorOwnershipCoverageTechnologyFrequencyStatusNotes
FleetcomFleetcom Inc.TorontoiDENSMRActive
Airtel WirelessAirtel Wireless Ltd.CalgaryiDENSMRActive

Former mobile networks

This list includes legacy network terminations as well as defunct network operators.

OperatorTypeOwnershipPurchased byCeased operationsFate
CityWest CityWestDecember 13, 2013Wireless services discontinued; mobile customers will be transitioned to Telus[18]
Clearnet CDMAClearnet CommunicationsTelus Mobility2000Network merged with Telus
Dryden Municipal Telephone Service GSM, CDMADryden Municipal Telephone ServiceWireless sold to Tbaytel, Wireline to Bell AliantDecember 21, 2012Wireless customers migrated to Tbaytel[19]
Fido GSMMicrocellRogers CommunicationsNovember 8, 2004Network merged with Rogers; Fido operates as MVNO
Kenora Municipal Telephone Service CDMAKenora Municipal Telephone ServiceWireless sold to Bell AliantFebruary 2008 & July 19, 2015Wireless customers sold to Bell Aliant.[20] KMTS wireless subscribers moved to Bell Mobility.[21]
Lynx Mobile CDMALynx MobileN/ADecember 31, 2015CDMA network replaced by GSM Network[22]
Mobilicity AWS, HSPA+DAVE WirelessRogers Communications2015Rogers will transition some Mobilicity retail locations and all its customers to Rogers sub-brand Chatr Mobile. As of August 16, 2016, Rogers will stop activating new Mobilicity lines.[23]
MTS Mobility HSPA+ Manitoba Telecom Services Bell Mobility 2016
NorthernTel Mobility NorthernTel MobilityBell AliantJuly 19, 2015NorthernTel Mobility wireless subscribers moved to Bell Mobility.[24]
Northwestel NorthwestelBell MobilityJune 19, 2014Wireless services discontinued, sold to Bell Mobility.[25]
Public Mobile CDMA with Ev-DOPublic MobileTelus MobilityAugust 8, 2014[26]Telus MVNO[26]
Sasktel CDMASasktelN/AJuly 5, 2017[27]CDMA network's EVDO support ended on September 30, 2014[28]
Superior Wireless CDMASuperior WirelessTBayTelAugust 2006Merged with TBayTel[29]
TBayTel CDMATBayTelN/ADecember 31, 2014.[30]
Télébec Mobilité Télébec MobilitéBell AliantJuly 19, 2015Télébec Mobilité wireless subscribers moved to Bell Mobility.[31]
Telus Mobility CDMATelusN/AMay 31, 2017[32]
Telus Mobility iDENTelusN/AJanuary 29, 2016
Mike iDEN over SMRTelusN/AJanuary 29, 2016[33]

Former subsidiaries

OperatorOwnershipNetwork providerNotes
Solo MobileBell MobilityBellDiscontinued for new customers, but still active for current ones.
Clearnet (Telus Mobility)TelusTelus
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Travel SIM cards and specialty services

OperatorOwnershipNetwork providerNotes
AlwaysOnline WirelessOtonoVariousA global data network for iPad owners on the go. AlwaysOnline Wireless is an on-demand 4G LTE service in over 45 countries with plans by the hour, by the day, or by the megabyte.[34]
iRoam, formerly BrightroamiRoam Mobile SolutionsRogersInternational SIM, offers Canadian and American numbers.[35]
Know RoamingKnow RoamingVariousGlobal SIM Sticker placed on existing SIM card.[36]
ZIP SIMOtono[34]T-Mobile USAOffers American numbers.[37]
Roam Mobility (USA)OtonoT-Mobile USAOffers American numbers for roaming in the USA and Mexico.[38][39]
Roam Mobility (Canada)OtonoVariousOffers Canadian numbers for roaming in Canada. SIM's expire after usage.[40]
PhoneBoxPhoneBoxRogers (postpaid) / Telus (postpaid)Offers Canadian numbers. SIM's expire after usage.[41]
FlyMobiFlyMobi CDMASprintFor inmates
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Subscribers Stats EN 2016 Q3" (PDF). CWTA. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Communications Monitoring Report 2015" (PDF). CRTC.
  3. ↑ "Mobile Service Providers".
  4. ↑ Geist, Michael. "CRTC falls short on true wireless competition".
  5. ↑ Chin, Brian. "No room for low-cost MVNO smartphone plan providers in Canada".
  6. ↑ "Percentage of revenues and subscribers derived via primary brands, extension brands, and resellers/rebillers, 2014" (PDF). Communications Monitoring Report. CRTC.
  7. ↑ "Bell Network Coverage".
  8. ↑ "Telus Network Coverage (Q2 2015 report)".
  9. ↑ "Telus reports $3.4 billion revenue in Q3 2017 earnings report".
  10. ↑ Dobby, Christine (Nov 21, 2016). "Wind Mobile seeks fresh start with name change, LTE service". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Cell Coverage Zones". Freedom Mobile. Dec 28, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Videotron celebrates millionth mobile customer". www.newswire.ca.
  13. ↑ "About SaskTel - SaskTel completes LTE expansion and boasts largest LTE network in Province - SaskTel". www.sasktel.com.
  14. ↑ "Q2 2016 Subscriber Stats" (PDF). CWTA. Retrieved 2015. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ↑ Behar, Rose (December 15, 2016). "Freedom Mobile's LTE network is now actually live in Toronto and Vancouver". MobileSyrup. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  16. ↑ Behar, Rose. "Rogers extends availability of GSM/GPRS network to December 2020". MobileSyrup. MobileSyrup. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "CDMA network change". Bell Canada. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  18. ↑ "About TELUS". about.telus.com.
  19. ↑ "DMTS Notice to Customers " Dryden Municipal Telephone System". Dryden Municipal Telephone System. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  20. ↑ http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/city-of-kenora-unanimously-approves-bell-aliant-offer-to-purchase-kenora-municipal-telephone-system-for-27-million
  21. ↑ "Wireless services & superphones from Bell Mobility - Bell Canada". www.bell.ca.
  22. ↑ "Lynx Mobility - Home EN". www.lynxmobility.com.
  23. ↑ Hardy, Ian (May 10, 2016). "Rogers to shutter Mobilicity, will shift stores and customers to chatr mobile". MobileSyrup.
  24. ↑ "NorthernTel Mobility and Télébec transition". support.bell.ca.
  25. ↑ http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/northwestel-wireless-moves-to-bell-mobility
  26. 1 2 "Public Mobile". www.publicmobile.ca.
  27. ↑ "About SaskTel - SaskTel turning down CDMA Network July 2017 - SaskTel". www.sasktel.com.
  28. ↑ "About SaskTel - SaskTel Turning Down EV-DO Data Service - SaskTel". www.sasktel.com.
  29. ↑ "TBayTel signs agreement to purchase Superior Wireless - Media.Knet.Ca". media.knet.ca.
  30. ↑ "Tbaytel tells customers to upgrade older cell phones".
  31. ↑ https://www.telebec.com/english/magasinage_ligne/asp/mobilite/transfert_bell.asp/%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  32. ↑ "Telus pushes back CDMA network shutdown to May 31st, 2017". February 1, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Mike® is retiring".
  34. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  35. ↑ "International SIM Cards, Cell Phones & Data Plans from Brightroam". www.brightroam.com.
  36. ↑ "Reduce Roaming Fees With KnowRoaming". KnowRoaming.
  37. ↑ "USA Prepaid SIM Cards for Short-Term Wireless Service - ZIP SIM". www.zipsim.us.
  38. ↑ "Unlimited USA Roaming Day Plans - Roam Mobility". www.roammobility.com.
  39. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Canadian Prepaid SIM Cards for Short Term Wireless Service - Roam Mobility Canada". roammobility.ca.
  41. ↑ "PhoneBox Wireless Service Provider". gophonebox.com.
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