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If you live in Quebec, you probably already know that the city’s name comes from the Algonquin word “Kebec,” which means “where the river narrows.” This makes sense, of course, because Quebec is situated on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, where it narrows.
However, Quebecers may not be aware that their city is home to North America’s oldest grocery store, J.A. Moisan Epicier, which dates back to 1871. Or that the ramparts surrounding Quebec are the only fortified city walls remaining in North America, north of Mexico. Or that the Chateau Frontenac is the world’s most photographed hotel (o.k. you may already be aware of this last one).
One thing’s for sure: Quebec is a historic place. You’re reminded of its past nearly everywhere you go, from the grand old buildings to the cobblestone streets. It’s got a distinctly European feel—partly due, no doubt, to the fact that 95% of Quebecers speak French.
While Quebec may have one foot in the past, its residents are firmly in the smartphone-wielding present. That’s why it’s comforting to know that the city boasts mostly good cell phone coverage. Read on to learn in the ins and outs of coverage in Quebec’s capital city.
Coverage in Quebec At-a-Glance
Quebec may have lost the Nordiques, but they've gained good cell phone coverage. The city comes in with a score of 86 out of 100. Here's a guide to coverage for the entirety of the Quebec province.
What we love
- Coverage from Rogers, Telus and Bell is outstanding
- MVNOs that run on Rogers and Telus widely available in Quebec
- 4G LTE widely available throughout the city
What could be improved
- Coverage less reliable the further you travel from the city
- Coverage can be tricky along shorelines or in parks and natural areas
86/100
Carrier Network Coverage in Quebec
If you're from Quebec, you're no doubt familiar with Videotron. They are one of the biggest TV, internet and wireless providers in the province, and operate their own network that competes with the four you see below.
Putting aside the Videotron, three of the major carriers--Rogers, Bell, and Telus--provide excellent coverage to the city of Quebec. Freedom, meanwhile, is completely absent from the party.
Best Coverage in Quebec by Network
| Network | Covered Area % |
|---|---|
| Bell | 100.00% |
| Rogers2 | 100.00% |
| Telus | 100.00% |
Cell Phone Coverage in Quebec by Area
Quebec City encompasses 604 square kilometers and the most robust local carriers, Telus and Rogers, cover almost every square inch of it.
Geographic Area Covered in Quebec
Big Carriers vs. Small Carriers in Quebec
When choosing a cell phone providers, there's no need to limit yourself to the big companies. There are dozens of smaller carriers that run on the major networks, but charge a fraction of the price for service. Known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs for short), these carriers purchase network service from the major providers at wholesale prices, then pass the savings on to consumers.
Getting the Best Plan & Coverage
WhistleOut's industry-leading coverage check feature supercharges an already robust comparison engine by allowing you to instantly see what coverage is like at your location. Just punch in your address, and we'll do the rest.
In addition to showing you a map of your area with the coverage from all four major carriers, we filter through the available cell phone plans and present only those from carriers who provide good reception to you.
Cell Phone Carriers in Quebec
Here's the full list of wireless carriers (big and small) in Quebec, and the network that each belongs to. Note that the smaller carriers—PhoneBox, Fido, etc.—utilize the networks of the major carriers.
| Carrier | Network | Available in Quebec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Mobility | Bell | Yes | |
| BellMTS | Bell (partner) | Yes | |
| Chatr Wireless | Rogers | Yes | |
| Cityfone | Rogers | Yes | |
| Fido | Rogers | Yes | |
| Freedom Mobile | Freedom | Roaming only | |
| Koodo Mobile | Telus | Yes | |
| PC Mobile | Bell/Telus | Yes | |
| Petro Canada | Rogers | Yes | |
| Public Mobile | Telus | Yes | |
| Rogers | Rogers | Yes | |
| SaskTel | Bell/Telus (partner) | Yes | |
| Telus | Telus | Yes | |
| Videotron | Videotron | Yes | |
| Virgin Mobile | Bell | Yes | |
| 7-11 SpeakOut | Rogers | Yes |
One More Thing: Using Public WiFi in Quebec
Quebec is an extremely mobile friendly city, with free public wifi available in a litany of public spaces via Zap Quebec. This becomes extremely useful when you either need a stronger connection or want to avoid draining your cellular data.
Here's a map of the places you can connect to free wifi in downtown Quebec. You can expect this area to grow in the coming months, as the city has announced plans to both bolster the power of existing hotspots and expand overall coverage area.
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