Best Public Mobile plans

Why we like it:

• Generous monthly data chunk
• Access to large Telus 5G network
• Free eSIM

Public Mobile’s best plan offers plenty of high-speed 5G data, the reliability of the Telus network, and a cheap monthly payment.

We haven’t been shy about our affection for this plan; it has consistently appeared on our list of the best cell phone plans in Canada since it was released. There’s good reason for all the hoopla—the plan delivers premium coverage but has the price tag of a budget option. For just $35/month, you’ll grab 50GB of 5G data, unlimited talk and text, and coverage on the nationwide Telus network. For a limited time, you’ll also score a free eSIM at checkout.

One downside is that Public Mobile doesn’t sell cell phones to purchase along with your plan, though we don’t think that’s a dealbreaker. After all, we prefer BYOD plans, which avoid lengthy contracts and higher monthly payments. If you’re looking for a new phone to pair with your new Public Mobile plan, we suggest you purchase an unlocked phone (like the iPhone 12, Moto Edge 5G, and Pixel 6a) from a third-party retailer like Amazon, Mobile Klinik, or Orchard and activate it with your Public Mobile eSIM.

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$36 Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB

Why we like it:

• Enormous 5G data allotment
• U.S. coverage for students and snowbirds
• Bonus rewards points

Public Mobile’s premium plan provides power users with enough 5G data to satisfy all their mobile needs.

If you’re a hardcore gamer or Netflix binge-watcher, then 50GB might not be enough for your cell phone plan. Public’s $40 Unlimited Canada-US plan gives you a whopping 75GB of full-speed 5G data every month, more than enough to ensure your plan won’t be hit with throttled speeds. That data works in both Canada and the U.S., making it the perfect option for students and snowbirds traveling south of the border.

This plan also awards you $2/month in Public Points, the carrier’s rewards program. You can use your points towards monthly payments or additional features, like bonus data. While Public’s older loyalty program, Public Rewards, was more generous, we still think scoring a recurring monthly rebate is a pretty sweet perk.

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Best cheap Public Mobile plan

$23 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 6GB

Why we like it:

• Affordable 4G option
• Average monthly data allotment
• Monthly rebate for 90-day subscriptions

The best cheap Public Mobile plan is also the carrier’s most practical, with just enough 4G data to get you through the month.

If you primarily use your phone for talk and text, saving all your streaming and Zooming for Wi-Fi, there’s no reason you should pay for a high data plan. This cheap Public Mobile plan is an ideal option for more practical phone users, providing unlimited talk and text plus 6GB of 4G data on the nationwide Telus network. Note the difference there, though: this plan offers 4G data rather than 5G. That means you’ll have trouble FaceTiming or streaming video when not on Wi-Fi. That won’t be an issue for more casual phone users, but it’ll likely be a problem for power users.

In addition to Public Points, this plan also rewards new customers a $1/month credit when they sign up for 90 days of service. That might not seem like much, but we think anything that drives down your monthly bill is a win.

Public Mobile coverage

Public Mobile operates on the Telus network, which reaches over 99% of Canadians. As a Telus MVNO, Public sells access to the Telus network at reduced rates. The key difference between Public and Telus is in what that monthly bill gets you. With Telus, you have the ability to finance phones, add multiple lines, and seek assistance from customer support. Public doesn’t offer any of those things, which allows them to offer such cheap plans.

Public began offering 5G plans in May 2023. These plans operate on the Telus 5G network, which reaches 70% of Canadians. For now, most of that network is confined to the more urban areas of the country’s southern half. We expect that coverage area to grow as the technology continues to expand throughout the country.

Methodology: How we picked the best Public Mobile cell phone plans

WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:

• Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
• High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
• Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
• Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.

Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best Public Mobile cell phone plans. We analyzed their coverage, cost, and plan options and considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the Public Mobile plans we feel meet the needs of most people.

Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.