Plans starting at just $15/month
- Canada’s best network offers great coverage
- Point program helps you save on your bill
- New 4G plans available
Public Mobile is a Telus subcarrier that runs on Canada’s largest network. While you won’t get Telus’ lightning-fast 5G speeds, Public Mobile offers 3G and brand-new 4G LTE plans.
As a prepaid-only mobile carrier, there are no contracts or commitments. Every plan is month-to-month, giving you the freedom and flexibility to pay for what you need when you need it. Plans start at $15/month for basic 3G speeds or $41.25/month for the cheapest 4G service from Public Mobile.
Is Public Mobile for You? Pros and Cons
Most of Public Mobile’s plans are likely cheaper than what you’re paying right now, but there are, of course, some tradeoffs.
What we love
- Plans start at just $15/month
- A points program that helps you save
- Excellent coverage
- Prepaid carrier with 4G plans
What could be improved
- No unlimited data
- No 5G coverage
- Very limited phone options
- 4G plans are more expensive
90/100
What we like: A variety of options
Cell phone plans in Canada are infamous for their sky-high prices so getting cell phone service that doesn’t break the bank is always a relief. The best value selection nets you 5GB of data for just $40/month. Other options are more expensive but feature a ton of data. 3G plans cap out at $70/month for 20GB, while the 4G options reach 40GB for $95/month.
What we like: Points system
You earn Public Points every month that can lower your payment drastically. Simple things like paying for your service or referring a friend can help keep your costs down. Every Public Point is worth $1, so they add up quickly.
Public Mobile Points at a glance
| Activity | Public Points earned | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribe | 5 points | |
| Pay every month | 5% of your monthly cost | |
| Anniversary | 10 points | |
| Refer a friend | 1 point/month they stay with Public | |
| Helping in the Public Mobile Community | Up to 20 points/month |
What we like: 4G plan options
Of the subcarrier prepaid brands—Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, and Chatr—only Public offers 4G LTE data access. Speeds can be up to 30x faster with 4G as than 3G, which can significantly affect how long it takes to download apps, load videos, or stream music. Customers on a 3G plan will experience 3Mbps speed caps compared to 4G customers’ 100Mbps.
What we don't like: No unlimited data
While Public Mobile is the only prepaid brand to offer 4G, they’re also the only prepaid carrier that doesn’t offer unlimited data. With that said, the speeds on Chatr and Lucky after you use up your 3G data are very slow and won’t do much more than opening emails or simple web pages.
What we don't like: No 5G coverage
4G LTE speeds are impressive compared to 3G, but 5G still dwarfs them. To maintain a difference in price and services, it’s unlikely that Telus will offer 5G through Public Mobile anytime soon.
What we don't like: Limited phone options
Brand new to Public Mobile is the ability to purchase phones. However, the certified pre-owned device selection is sparse, only available online, and you’re required to pay in full. While this is better than having no phone choices available, you’re likely better off exploring other options to find a new device.
Public Mobile Coverage
Thanks to the Telus network, Public Mobile provides the best coverage and reliability of the primary prepaid brands. While there are areas of the country where Public Mobile (and the other carriers) will struggle to provide service, these are mostly in the northern parts of the country with a smaller population. The map below can help you ensure that you’re covered.
Public Mobile vs. Competitors
While Public Mobile has perks and drawbacks, so do its main competitors, Lucky Mobile and Chatr.
Public Mobile vs. Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile runs on the Bell network to rival Public Mobile’s coverage. The primary benefits of Public over Lucky are the Public Points system and available 4G services. But if you’re looking for a 3G plan, the choice may not be as clear. Lucky Mobile’s current plans feature 500MB less data than Public on its $40 plan and below without automatic top-up. However, you can also get 500MB more data on the $50 plan and higher with automatic payments.
- Best coverage
- Public points system
- 4G access
- No unlimited data
- Great coverage
- Unlimited data with 128kbps
- Additional 500MB with autopay on plans $50 and up
- Auto top-up needed to match data on $40 plan and lower
- Only 3G options
Public Mobile vs. Chatr
Unlike Lucky Mobile, Chatr’s data offerings are on par with Public Mobile’s options for every 3G plan with a 500MB bonus available. Chatr also includes unlimited data, making it the allotment king among these three brands. However, the Rogers network offers (marginally) less coverage than Telus and Bell do. Also, like Lucky, there are no 4G options.
- Best coverage
- Public points system
- 4G access
- No unlimited data
- Cheap phone options readily available
- Unlimited data at 64kbps
- Additional 500MB full-speed data with auto-pay
- Only 3G plans
- No reward point system
Public Mobile Phones
The phone selection at Public Mobile will vary depending on the certified pre-owned phones available. At the time of this article, devices like the iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S10 are among the best devices available. However, Public also has phones like the iPhone XR and iPhone SE 2 available for less than $500 before tax. Devices purchased through Public Mobile are bought outright and are only available online.
Recap: Is Public Mobile Right for You?
If you’re looking for cheap 4G service that doesn’t require any commitment, then Public Mobile is a fantastic choice. Even if 3G speeds are all you need, you get plenty of options at reasonable prices. The inclusion of Public Points to save you money, and the Telus network to ensure you have service in more places, make Public Mobile a great carrier option.
However, if unlimited data, 5G speeds, or bleeding-edge hardware are what you’re after, then Public Mobile isn’t your best bet. Public Mobile’s parent company Telus offers all of these features and more, so you can still get the best nationwide coverage and perks to love your plan.
Methodology: Evaluating Public Mobile
WhistleOut’s experts used a combination of proprietary research and customer experiences to evaluate Public Mobile. We looked at available plans, coverage, data speeds, and perks. Using this information while comparing Public Mobile to competitors Lucky Mobile and Chatr allows us to assess the carrier in the telecommunications landscape for its value, feature set, and reliability. We will update our findings as necessary.
Public Mobile: FAQs
Telus owns Public Mobile.
The speed of your Public Mobile data will depend on your plan and location. With a 3G plan, you can expect up to 3Mbps, which is enough for many basic tasks. If you have a 4G plan, then your speed limit is 100Mbps, or fast enough to download a movie from Netflix in mere minutes.
Yes, Public Mobile coverage is good. Public Mobile uses Telus’ network, which is the best network for coverage and reliability.
Yes, you can save money with Public Mobile. Public Points can lower your monthly cost through simple actions like referring a friend and just paying for your service.
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