Canada 5G Network Availability

By Kevin Kearney

Last updated 04 January 2024

Contents

In this guide:

5G coverage and availability
5G phone plans and providers
Upgrading 4G LTE
Frequently asked questions

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 Wireless 5G coverage map — Rogers' 5G coverage map.
Credit: Rogers

Rogers offers 5G throughout much of the country and offers 5G+, a purportedly even faster connection, in most urban centres.

Bell Mobility 5G coverage map — Bell's 5G coverage map.
Credit: Bell

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.

Freedom Mobile 5G coverage map — Freedom Mobile now offers 5G coverage in three provinces.
Credit: Freedom Mobile

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	5G Locations
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.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

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 , 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’ .

#1	Rogers	Rogers Infinite Extra Plan Unlimited 175GB at speeds up to 1Gbps $80/mth Go	$80/mth	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $35 Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB 50GB at 5G full speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Receive $1.80/mo. in points value with Public Points + Get a FREE eSIM or $5 off on a physical SIM with new activation on this plan $36 + $5 Upfront Go	$36 + $5 Upfront	Go
#3	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan Unlimited 120GB full-speed data at 5G Deal: Black Friday Offer: Receive 20GB Roam Beyond data on this plan + Get $5/mo. off for 18 months when you activate on this plan $55/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$55/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#4	SaskTel	SaskTel totalSHARE Nationwide Unlimited Full speed data Deal: Black Friday Offer: Get 25GB/mo. bonus for 24 months with this plan + Get $20/mo. off when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at full price + Get Student Promo up to $20/mo. off $70/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$70/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#5	Telus	Telus Essential Unlimited 100 5G Unlimited 100GB at 5G speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Limited-time Offer! Get $5/mo. off when you activate on this plan and enroll with pre-authorized payments $60/mth Go	$60/mth	Go

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

Is 5G available in Canada?

Yes, 5G is available in Canada. Six Canadian carriers offer 5G wireless coverage in select areas of 10 provinces.

Is it worth getting a 5G phone in Canada?

Yes, it’s worth getting a 5G phone in Canada if you have a 5G plan. If you’re interested in a cheaper, no-frills plan for basic connectivity, though, you won’t need a 5G phone.

What companies have 5G in Canada?

Bell, Eastlink, Freedom Mobile, Rogers, SaskTel, Telus, and Videotron operate 5G networks in Canada.

Do iPhones have 5G in Canada?

Yes, iPhones have 5G in Canada. All models from the iPhone 12 onward are 5G capable. It’s worth noting that a 5G phone will not have 5G service unless it is connected to a 5G plan.