Bell, Rogers, and Telus are the country’s three largest wireless carriers, providing service to over 97% of Canadians. Telus, in our opinion, is the best carrier in Canada, thanks to its large 5G network, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing.
But there’s more to the market than just the Big Three. Canada is also home to several regional carriers that offer affordable plans and reliable coverage to select areas. There are also numerous flanker brands that provide cheap plans and cell phone deals.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know in order to choose the best carrier for you. Read on to learn the difference between Bell, Rogers, and Telus, and understand the best way to find a great plan.
Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: How Do They Compare?
Bell, Rogers, and Telus are the three nationwide telecommunications companies serving Canada with telephone, internet, cable television, and wireless service. Canadians often complain that the differences between Bell, Rogers, and Telus are nonexistent, with the carriers simply offering similar plans at similar rates.
All three offer premium services and, by extension, some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the country. Bell, Rogers, and Telus are independent networks that operate their own nationwide 4G and 5G cellular networks despite sharing towers.
You can check out the best cell phone plans in Canada or preview the most popular plans from the Big Three below.
Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.
In 2021, Rogers Communications made a bid to buy Shaw Communications, a regional carrier serving Alberta and British Columbia operating on the Freedom Mobile network. The Competition Bureau argued the sale would limit competition, raising already high prices for consumers. In an attempt to silence its critics, Rogers agreed to sell Shaw’s Freedom Mobile unit to Videotron, a regional carrier for Quebec. As of April 2023, the merger was finalised with government approval.
Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: Network Coverage and Reliability
While Bell, Rogers, and Telus are all nationwide carriers, each carrier has subtle differences in what they offer and where they operate.
In Canada, where you live dictates your cellular service. 5G is still mostly limited to urban centres while 3G is the fastest you’ll find in some of the remote areas of the country. Telus’ 5G and 4G network is the largest of the Big Three and reaches the most Canadians, though Bell’s network is not far behind.
The Big Three's network coverage
Carrier | 5G coverage | 4G LTE coverage | Total network coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Bell | 70% of Canadians | 99% of Canadians | 36% of the map |
Rogers | 70% of Canadians | 97% of Canadians | 28% of the map |
Telus | 70% of Canadians | 99% of Canadians | 37% of the map |
If you’d like to see a coverage map of each carrier’s network, you can check out our guide to wireless coverage in Canada or select one of the Big Three in the coverage map below.
Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: Customer Service
Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer customer service and support over the phone, on social media, and through virtual assistants on their websites. In 2022, Telus was rated Canada’s Most Respected Mobile Service Provider by DART Insight and Communications with Koodo and Fido rounding out the top three.
Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: Get the Most Value
The best way to get the most value from the Big Three is to seek out their bundles, cell phone deals, and flanker brands.
Bundling services
The Big Three offer bundles of their internet, cable, streaming services at discounted rates. Bell, Rogers, and Telus all provide bundling options that will make watching sports, TV, and movies a breeze.
Unfortunately, none of the three carriers allow you to bundle wireless coverage. Still, if you’re already paying for multiple services or looking to add one to your household, you might want to start by seeing what Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer for internet connectivity.
Cell phone deals
Although Bell, Rogers, and Telus are considered premium carriers known for their more expensive plans, they’re also known for some of the best cell phone deals in Canada. We’ve compiled guides to the best cell phone deals from Bell, Rogers, and Telus, so you can score hot prices on the latest smartphones, like the iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7, and Samsung Galaxy S23.
Find some of the most popular cell phone deals available from the Big Three below.
Flanker brands
Canada is home to several flanker brands, or smaller carriers owned by Bell, Rogers, and Telus and operating on their respective networks, much like the popular Mobile Virtual Network Operators (or MVNOs). Flanker brands’ plans are cheaper, offering less data and slower speeds than the Big Three. Despite those downsides, flanker brands’ affordability, prepaid options, and excellent coverage make for fantastic alternatives to Bell, Rogers, and Telus.
Signing up with one of these brands can save you a bundle.
- Bell owns Virgin Mobile and Lucky Mobile
- Rogers Wireless owns Fido and Chatr
- Telus Mobility owns Koodo and Public Mobile
Interested in trying out an alternative? Find some of the most popular plans from flanker brands below.
Regional Carriers: Freedom Mobile, Videotron, SaskTel, and More
In limited parts of Canada, regional carriers operate independent cellular networks that span one portion of the country. They often partner with Bell, Rogers, or Telus to provide their customers nationwide service. Prices are often cheaper yet come with limitations, mainly that you must live within the carrier’s primary coverage area to subscribe.
Here are some of the most popular regional carriers and where you can find them:
- Freedom Mobile: Urban areas of Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
- Shaw Mobile: Urban areas of Alberta and B.C.
- Videotron: Quebec
- Fizz: Quebec
- SaskTel: Saskatchewan
Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: Which Carrier is Best?
Bell, Rogers, and Telus all offer nationwide coverage, 5G service, and a comprehensive suite of services. Rogers is by far the best when it comes to 5G coverage, but Bell and Telus have the best network coverage footprint in Canada.
Overall, thanks to its coverage, customer service, and diversity of plans, Telus is the best carrier of the Big Three.
Check out our guide to the best Telus cell phone plans, the best Telus prepaid plans, or browse the carrier’s most popular plans below.Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: FAQs
The Government of Canada, however, agreed with its citizens, stating in 2019 that prices were too high and began working to address consumers’ concerns. In 2021, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) established a policy to encourage more Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). In 2022, the CRTC announced they’d reduced wireless plans by 25%.
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