Connectivity Guide

Mobile and home internet in Canada

Choose better plans, avoid hidden costs, and set up reliable mobile and home internet service for daily life.

Why this matters

Control monthly costs

Plan pricing can vary a lot depending on data amount, financing, activation fees, and contract terms.

Coverage and network quality

Signal quality differs by neighborhood and building type, so checking coverage maps before signing helps avoid problems.

Stable service for work and study

Reliable internet is essential for online classes, job applications, remote work, and video calls.

Access to essential services

Most banking, government forms, immigration updates, and healthcare bookings are now handled online.

Choose the right setup

Mobile plan setup

Pick the right plan type and understand all charges before you sign.

  • Compare prepaid, postpaid, and BYOD plans by your monthly data usage.
  • Ask for full cost breakdown: activation fee, SIM/eSIM fee, and add-ons.
  • Check contract length, phone financing terms, and cancellation conditions.

Home internet setup

Match your household usage to the right speed tier and contract terms.

  • Estimate needs by users and activities (streaming, gaming, remote work).
  • Review modem/router rental fees, installation fee, and promo end date.
  • Check upload speed and network reliability, not only download speed.

Budget and support options

Use official tools and discount programs to reduce communication costs.

  • Use the Government of Canada comparison tool for mobile/internet plans.
  • Check eligibility for low-cost options like the Connecting Families initiative.
  • Keep your bill records in case you need dispute support from CCTS.

Useful sites and official resources

Use these resources to compare plans, check your rights, and troubleshoot service issues.

Government

Government of Canada plan comparison tool

Compare mobile and internet plans with one official comparison tool.

Visit site
Regulation

CRTC Wireless Code

Know your rights for mobile contracts, fees, cancellation, and bill limits.

Visit site
Regulation

CRTC Internet Code

Understand consumer protections for home internet contracts and disputes.

Visit site
Complaint Support

CCTS complaint support

If issues are unresolved with your provider, submit a telecom complaint through CCTS.

Visit site
Market Data

Telecom services price tracking (ISED)

Review market-level price trends to understand typical plan cost ranges in Canada.

Visit site
Discount Program

Connecting Families initiative

Check eligibility for lower-cost internet options designed for eligible households.

Visit site
Coverage Map

Rogers network coverage map

Check wireless coverage by address and region before committing to a plan.

Visit site
Coverage Map

Bell network coverage map

Review Bell coverage and expected service area quality for your location.

Visit site
Coverage Map

TELUS network coverage map

Verify TELUS coverage and compare network availability in your area.

Visit site
Coverage Map

Freedom Mobile coverage map

Check Freedom coverage zones, especially for areas outside core city regions.

Visit site
Diagnostic

CIRA Internet Performance Test

Test your actual internet performance to compare plan promises vs real results.

Visit site

Key links verified on February 6, 2026 from official Canadian government, regulator, and provider websites.

Start in 3 steps

  1. Set your budget, expected monthly data use, and home internet speed target.
  2. Compare 2 to 3 options and save screenshots of all fees and terms before signing.
  3. Test service quality in your first days and use the cancellation window if needed.

Before you sign

  • Unlocked phone and SIM/eSIM compatibility
  • Government ID, address proof, and payment method
  • Full fee summary (activation, device, taxes, and add-ons)
  • Contract end date, return policy, and cancellation conditions

Need local help choosing a provider?

Settlement organizations and community advisors can help compare plans and explain contract terms in plain language.

If you are in Vancouver, ask newcomer support agencies for low-cost connectivity referrals.
Mobile et Internet | Services Essentiels | Hellomark