5G coverage is now available to over 70% of Canadians. Every year, cellular networks operated by Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom, Videotron, Eastlink, and SaskTel continue to grow, leading to more options for Canadians to experience the fastest mobile speeds available.
In this guide to 5G coverage in Canada, we explain where you can access a 5G mobile network, how to purchase a 5G plan, and where to find the best 5G phones in Canada.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about 5G network availability in Canada.
5G coverage and availability in Canada
5G is available in every province in Canada except for Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Several Canadian wireless carriers provide 5G and continue to expand their networks.
Bell, Rogers, and Telus provide the best 5G coverage in Canada, with 5G networks that reach 70% of Canadians.
Rogers offers 5G throughout much of the country and offers 5G+, a purportedly even faster connection, in most urban centres.
Bell's 5G network looks markedly similar to Rogers', including 5G+ availability in major cities.
Telus' 5G coverage is similar to their Big Three counterparts, though they don't offer 5G+.
Several regional carriers also provide 5G coverage, with Videotron in Quebec, SaskTel in Saskatchewan, and Eastlink in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
5G is continuing to grow too. Freedom Mobile now offers 5G in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, with plans to expand further. SaskTel anticipates its 5G network expanding by the end of 2024.
Where is 5G available in Canada?
Carrier | Network |
|
---|---|---|
Bell Mobility | Bell | Select areas of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan |
Rogers Wireless | Rogers | Select areas of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan |
Telus Mobility | Telus | Select areas of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan |
Videotron | Videotron | Select areas of Quebec |
Eastlink | Eastlink | Select areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia |
SaskTel | SaskTel | Select areas of Saskatchewan |
Freedom Mobile | Freedom and Videotron | Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario |
5G Canada service providers
Canada is home to several flanker brands owned by the Big Three and operated on their respective networks. Flanker brands offer cheaper plans and prepaid options, competing for students, seniors, and budget-minded consumers who don’t need the premium data or higher prices of Bell, Rogers, and Telus.
Who owns the flanker brands in Canada?
Flanker | Network | Speeds |
---|---|---|
Virgin Plus | Bell | 5G, 4G LTE, 3G |
Fido | Rogers | 4G LTE, 3G |
Koodo Mobile | Telus | 5G, 4G LTE, 3G |
Lucky Mobile | Bell | 4G, 3G |
Chatr | Rogers | 4G, 3G |
Public Mobile | Telus | 5G, 4G, 3G |
Want to see if 5G is available where you live? Check out our coverage map below.
5G phone plans and providers
Buying a 5G capable phone doesn’t automatically unlock 5G speeds. To access the lightning-fast speeds and reliable connectivity of a 5G network, you need to purchase a 5G phone plan. Before you activate, read the fine print: Just because a carrier operates a 5G network doesn’t mean your particular plan is connected to it.
Some of Canada’s best 5G plans are Telus’ , Bell’s Ultimate 75GB, and Rogers’ Infinite Extra Canada Plan. If you’re looking for cheap access to a 5G network, check out Eastlink’s $45 Starter Data 6GB Plan or Rogers’ .
Can 4G LTE be upgraded to 5G?
4G LTE offers fast speeds and reliable connectivity. 4G LTE is widely available in Canada, covering over 99% of the population. But 4G LTE isn’t as fast as 5G; unfortunately, there’s no way to upgrade your 4G LTE phone to 5G. To get 5G quality, you need a 5G phone.
If you have a 5G-capable phone but use a 4G LTE plan, you’ll need to switch to a 5G plan to get 5G speeds. If your carrier offers 5G, that’s an easy upgrade. If your provider doesn’t have a 5G network, switching to another carrier and keeping your current phone number is just as easy.
Canada 5G network availability: FAQs
Related Articles
Find Better Phones and Plans
Hundreds of cell phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.