Mint Unveils Free Canada Roaming

By Kevin Kearney

Last updated 11 July 2024

WhistleOut fast facts

Mint Mobile is now offering complimentary roaming for customers visiting Canada.
Free Canada Roaming will provide all Mint subscribers unlimited talk and text, plus 3GB of monthly high-speed data while roaming in the Great North.
For the time being, Mint Mobile service is not available for Canadians.

Mint Mobile, a smaller American cell phone carrier, is now offering subscribers coverage when visiting Canada. The carrier’s new Free Canada Roaming addition will provide customers unlimited talk and text, plus 3GB of monthly high-speed data in the Great North.

If a customer exceeds that 3GB limit, they’ll still have data, but it will be slowed to 128Kbps, which is fast enough to talk, text, browse, and navigate, though not fast enough to stream music or video. The 3GB is in addition to a customer’s normal monthly data allotment and is reserved specifically for roaming in Canada. If you need more than that 3GB while traveling, you can purchase one of Mint’s Minternational Passes.

Mint Mobiel Minternational Roaming package featuring minimal talk, text, and data

Mint's Minternational Roaming add-ons allow for even more roaming data.
Image: Mint Mobile

The fine print for Free Canada Roaming includes a disclaimer stating it’s not intended “for extended international use” and that “service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming.” That means Mint’s new add-on isn’t a solution for Canadians looking to lower their cell phone bills—this is intended for traveling in Canada, not residing there.

Is Mint Mobile available in Canada?

Mint Mobile is not currently available in Canada. Despite Mint’s efforts to break into the notoriously exclusive Canadian telecom market, the American MVNO has been unsuccessful so far. We’re hopeful that Free Roaming in Canada might be a sign of progress, though it’s too early to know for sure.

If you’re on the hunt for a cheaper Canadian carrier, you can check out our list of the best cell phone plans in Canada, which features Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile, or check out our guide to Canada’s MVNOs. Need something faster? Check out the most popular cell phone plans on WhistleOut below.

#1	Rogers	Rogers Infinite Extra Plan Unlimited 175GB at speeds up to 1Gbps $80/mth Go	$80/mth	Go
#2	Rogers	Rogers Infinite Extra Plan Unlimited 175GB at speeds up to 1Gbps Contract (24 mths) $80/mth Go	$80/mth	Go
#3	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan Unlimited 120GB full-speed data at 5G Deal: Black Friday Offer: 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 Go	$55/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#4	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 Go	$36 + $5 Upfront	Go
#5	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 Go	$15 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront	Go

Kevin Kearney

Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry, and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps. When he’s not researching the telecom market, he enjoys reading, running, and playing music.

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