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Text Who's the Best Top Tier Mobile Carrier over roadsigns pointing to Bell, Rogers and Telus

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.

Cell Phone Plans

With at least 100MB+ data | Filters
#1
Rogers
Rogers

Infinite Extra Plan

  • Unlimited 175GB at speeds up to 1Gbps
$90/mth
#2
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk & Text 15

  • 250MB data
  • Deal: Get a bonus 250MB data when you sign-up with auto-payment options and use the promo code 250AUTO
$15
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront
#3
Bell
Bell

Extra 75 Plan

  • Unlimited 75GB 5G Speeds up to 250 Mbps
  • Deal: This plan includes $10/mo. credit with Autopay
$55/mth

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.

Internet Plans

#1
Bell
Bell

Wireless Home Internet 25

  • Fixed Wireless 25/5 Mbps
$50/mo
#2
Telus
Telus

PureFibre Internet 250

  • Fibre 250/250 Mbps
  • Contract (24 mths)
$80/mo
#3
Rogers
Rogers

Pro 2G Internet

  • Fibre 2000/200 Mbps
$130/mo

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.

Samsung

Galaxy S23 5G 128GB

  • 6.1 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
62 Plans from $15/mth + $1,197.94 Upfront
Samsung

Galaxy S23+ 5G 256GB

  • 6.6 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 12MP, 50MP, 10MP
62 Plans from $15/mth + $1,729 Upfront
Samsung

Galaxy S24 FE 5G 128GB

  • 6.7 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 12MP
100 Plans from $20/mth + $1,111.49 Upfront
Samsung

Galaxy S24 5G 128GB

  • 6.2 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
103 Plans from $20/mth + $1,358.49 Upfront
Google

Pixel 9 Pro 5G 256GB

  • 6.3 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 48MP, 48MP
75 Plans from $20/mth + $1,732 Upfront
Google

Pixel 8a 128GB

  • 6.1 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 64MP, 13MP
66 Plans from $25/mth + $800 Upfront
Google

Pixel 8 128GB

  • 6.2 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 12MP
40 Plans from $25/mth + $1,108 Upfront
Google

Pixel 9 Pro 5G 512GB

  • 6.3 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 48MP, 48MP
74 Plans from $25/mth + $1,930 Upfront
Samsung

Galaxy A54 5G

  • 6.4 inch display
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP, 12MP, 5MP
50 Plans from $44/mth + $690 Upfront
Google

Pixel 7a 128GB

  • 6.1 inch display
  • Rear Camera: 64MP
40 Plans from $44/mth + $702 Upfront

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.

Interested in trying out an alternative? Find some of the most popular plans from flanker brands below.

Cell Phone Plans

With at least 100MB+ data | Filters
#1
Fido
Fido

$15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB

  • 250MB data
$15/mth
#2
Chatr Wireless
Chatr Wireless

$15 Nationwide Talk & Text plan

  • 500MB data
  • Deal: Get 500MB bonus data when you sign up with Auto-Pay
$15
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $10 Upfront
#3
Public Mobile
Public Mobile

$36 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
#4
Koodo Mobile
Koodo Mobile

$40 Prepaid Base Plan

  • 75GB at 4G speed up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: Receive FREE third month of service with new activation on this plan
$40
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $10 Upfront
#5
PC Mobile
PC Mobile

$24 Unlimited Talk & Text + 1GB Data

  • 4GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Receive 3GB bonus data with Auto-Allowance + 20,000 PC Optimum points after 2 months of service
$24
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $10 Upfront

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:

Cell Phone Plans

With at least 100MB+ data | Filters
#1
Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile

$60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan

  • Unlimited 120GB full-speed data at 5G
  • Deal: 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
#2
Fizz
Fizz

Unlimited Minutes & Text Messaging + 3GB Data

  • 3GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$17/mth
+ $5 Upfront
#3
SaskTel
SaskTel

totalSHARE Nationwide

  • Unlimited Full speed data
  • Deal: Get $20/mo. off when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at full price + $10/mo. off for 24 months with this plan + Get Student Promo up to $20/mo. off
$60/mth
+ $50 Upfront
#4
Eastlink
Eastlink

$15 Starter Data 250MB Plan

  • 250MB at 5G speeds
$15/mth
+ $50 Upfront
#5
Videotron
Videotron

9GB Canada Plan

  • 9GB data
$39/mth
+ $50 Upfront

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.

Cell Phone Plans

With at least 100MB+ data | Filters
#1
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk & Text 15

  • 250MB data
  • Deal: Get a bonus 250MB data when you sign-up with auto-payment options and use the promo code 250AUTO
$15
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront
#2
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk & Text 15

  • 250MB data
  • Deal: Get a bonus 250MB data when you sign-up with auto-payment options and use the promo code 250AUTO
$15
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront
#3
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk & Text 25

  • 250MB data
  • Deal: Get a bonus 250MB data when you sign-up with auto-payment via promo code PRE5PROMO24 + Receive $5 credit for 12 months with new activation on this plan
$25
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront
#4
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk & Text 25

  • 250MB data
  • Deal: Get a bonus 250MB data when you sign-up with auto-payment via promo code PRE5PROMO24 + Receive $5 credit for 12 months with new activation on this plan
$25
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront
#5
Telus
Telus

Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 35

  • 18GB data
  • Deal: Receive 15GB/mo. bonus data + Get extra 2GB data when you sign-up with auto-payment options and use the promo code QCBONUS15
$35
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $15 Upfront

Bell vs. Rogers vs. Telus: FAQs


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  • Fido
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  • Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)
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  • Chatr Wireless
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  • Telus
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  • Bell
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  • 7-Eleven SpeakOut
  • PC Mobile
  • Lucky Mobile
  • SaskTel
  • Good2Go Mobile (previously Petro Canada)
  • Videotron
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