Making the move to Canada likely means you are leaving behind family members and friends; it will be essential to stay connected with these individuals once you arrive, and to do so will require a cell phone. In Canada there are numerous cell phone providers to choose from and each offer their own methods of payment and financial commitments. As a newcomer to Canada, you should also be aware that cell phone plans in Canada are notoriously expensive and will likely require a higher level of financial commitment than you are accustomed to. But there is good news, cities in Canada are highly connected and wireless internet in public spaces is becoming increasingly common in major centres. Newcomers Canada is committed to helping make your transition to Canada as smooth as possible, which is why we have created a list of options and highlights for your consideration when selecting your cell phone or mobile phone approach.
Selecting your cell phone service in Canada
The first consideration when selecting your Canadian phone plan is how you would like to pay. In Canada there are options for pre-paid phone plans, pay-as-you-go plans, postpaid services, and pay after service plans. There and pros and cons to each of these approaches, so be sure to do your research and select the approach that is right for you.
Canadian Cell Phone Providers
In Canada there are numerous mobile phone providers to choose from. The largest providers in the country are Rogers, Bell, and Telus. Other options include Fido, Virgin, Koodo, Chatr, Lucky, and Public mobile. Depending on what approach you are looking for, each of these providers will have a variety of options for you to choose from.
Buying a Phone in Canada
You can buy a phone in Canada just about anywhere, including gas stations, Walmart, tech stores, at provider’s store front locations, and of course, online. If you are signing on with one of the major Canadian providers, you will be required to sign a contract committing to a plan. When you sign onto a plan with a major Canadian provider there is often deals available that lower the cost of the actual hardware. If you chose to sign a contract and receive a lower price for the phone, you should review your plan because it is likely you are financing the phone and paying for it as part of your monthly commitment.
Wireless Coverage Across Canada
Depending what region of Canada you are moving to, your cell phone coverage will vary. Canada is a massive country and while technology is advancing rapidly, there remains huge parts of Canada outside of the towns and cities that have limited or no cell phone coverage. If you are moving to a rural community, Newcomers Canada would recommend speaking with local residents to find out what network will provide you with the best coverage in that specific city.
If you are moving to a major Canadian city, you can expect that your coverage will be strong and that you can often connect to public wireless internet, helping to lower your data usage.