From PCMAG · Eric Griffith · · 3m
Best Mobile Networks in Canada, Ranked
Canada's new mobile plan rules boost consumer choice as PCMag ranks top networks.
In brief
Canada's new mobile plan rules boost consumer choice as PCMag ranks top networks. Canada's new rules allow switching mobile plans without fees, with Bell leading major carriers and Virgin Plus top MVNOs. Originally reported by PCMAG.
New Mobile Plan Rules
In June, changes to Canada's Consumer Protections Action Plan went into effect, barring telecom providers from charging fees to activate, change, or cancel a mobile or internet service plan.
Canada's Highest Cell Rates
Canadian consumers reportedly pay among the highest cell phone and broadband rates in the G7, the group of seven nations that includes the US.
Major Carrier Usage
Most Canadians (63%) use a major service provider: 21% Bell, 19% Telus, 16% Rogers, and 7% Videotron.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators
Some users gravitate toward localized networks like SaskTel in Saskatchewan, Eastlink in the Atlantic provinces, and Freedom Mobile in urban areas. The remainder use secondary wireless brands such as Chatr, Fido, Fizz, Koodo, Public Mobile, and Virgin Plus.
MVNOs and Flankers
Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) don't own the networks they operate on. Most MVNOs are flanker brands, subsidiaries of major carriers, marketed for plan affordability.
Data Sources for Rankings
PCMag uses CoverageMap.com and BestPhonePlans for speed tests, Planhub.ca for pricing, and its own Readers' Choice survey data for customer satisfaction.
Mobile Network Index
PCMag combines speed, pricing, and customer satisfaction to create a Mobile Network Index for each carrier, with most MVNOs using larger networks' towers.
Coverage Complexity
In Canada, Bell and Telus share networks through a reciprocal agreement, making their coverage percentages effectively identical despite being direct competitors.
5G Coverage Statistics
In Quebec, 5G covers 14.5% of land area but is available to 99.4% of residents, a figure similar across Canada's lower provinces.
4G and 5G Ratings
PCMag combines 4G and 5G speed ratings to ensure all customers, including those on less expensive 4G LTE packages, are included in the Mobile Network Index.
Top Major Carrier
Bell leads the nation's four major carriers with superior speeds for both 5G-only and combined 4G and 5G, having an 8% higher Mobile Network Index than Videotron.
Top MVNO
Virgin Plus, Bell's mid-tier flanker brand, is the top MVNO with truly affordable pricing, second only to Fizz, a Videotron flanker.
Best 4G LTE MVNO
Fizz is the best-priced MVNO for single lines and the top choice for 4G mobile networks, also top-rated for satisfaction in PCMag's 2026 Readers' Choice awards.
Toronto Results
In Toronto, Bell dominates for 5G-only and overall (4G and 5G combined), while Public Mobile, a Telus network-powered MVNO, wins by a narrow margin for best MVNO.
The main idea
Canada's new rules allow switching mobile plans without fees, with Bell leading major carriers and Virgin Plus top MVNOs.
