List of mobile network operators in Canada


As of October 2024, there are over 37.2 million wireless subscriptions in Canada. Approximately 90% of Canadian mobile phone users subscribe to one of the four largest national telecommunication companies or one of their subsidiary brands. These four mobile network operators own and operate transmission facilities that cover most of the country, though they sometimes share each other's networks in certain geographical regions in order to reduce costs and reach more customers.
The remaining 10% of subscribers are served by smaller, regional providers, mobile virtual network operators, and resellers. Regional providers own and operate transmission facilities that cover a limited area and rely on partnerships with national service providers to connect their customers across Canada. In contrast, MVNOs and resellers do not own spectrum or network infrastructure and are required to lease network capacity from other providers at wholesale rates. While MVNOs have their own facilities to package and support their mobile services, resellers rely on the host network provider to package, market, bill, and deliver mobile services.
All wireless service providers in Canada are regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which has been blamed by some for the concentration of wireless service subscribers to only three large national carriers. Though measures have been taken to encourage more competition, critics suggest that more should be done to address the issue, e.g. by mandating wholesale network access for MVNOs.

Mobile network operators (MNOs)

This is a list of mobile network operators, which includes national and regional service providers. Where applicable, this list will also include any subsidiary "extension" brands associated with a mobile service provider. While primary brands, such as Rogers Wireless or Bell Mobility, account for roughly 82% of wireless revenue, extension brands allow wireless service providers to differentiate service offerings and reach broader market segments.
OperatorSubscribers
Coverage
Ownership
Bell Mobility
11.100 NationwideBCE Inc.
Eastlink Wireless0.075 NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, ABEastlink
Iristel
  • Ice Wireless
    		• NU, NT, YT, QCIristel
    K-Net MobileOntarioKeewaytinook Okimakanak
    Rogers Wireless
  • Fido Mobile
  • Chatr Mobile
    		• 12.510 10 Provinces onlyRogers Communications
    SaskTel Mobility
  • Lüm Mobile
    		• 0.680 SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Government
    Sogetel MobilitéQuebecSogetel
    SSi Canada
  • Qiniq
  • EEYou Mobile
    		• Nunavut only for Qiniq, Quebec for EEYou MobileSSi Canada
    TbayTel MobilityOntarioThunder Bay Municipal Government
    Telus Mobility
  • Koodo Mobile
  • Public Mobile
    		• 10.123 NationwideTelus Corporation
    Vidéotron Mobility
  • Fizz Mobile
  • Freedom Mobile
    		• 4.328 QC, ON, BC, AB, MBQuébecor

    Defunct, merged and acquired operators

    Some operators listed below may still function as a separate brand but they no longer own any infrastructure.
    OperatorOwnershipVoice technologyData technologyEnd dateNotes
    AGT CellularAlberta Government TelephonesAMPS1996In 1996, the AGT and Ed Tel brands were retired in favour of the Telus name
    CityWestCityWestGSMEDGEDecember 13, 2013Wireless services discontinued; mobile customers transitioned to Telus
    Bell AliantBell AliantCDMA2006Wireless services discontinued, migrated to Bell Mobility.
    Bell MTS MobilityBell MTSCDMAOctober, 2018Wireless services discontinued, migrated to Bell Mobility.
    BC CellularBell MTSAMPS1999Network merged with Telus
    ClearnetClearnet CommunicationsCDMA2000EV-DO2000Network merged with Telus
    Dryden Municipal Telephone ServiceDryden Municipal Telephone ServiceGSM, CDMA2000EDGE, EV-DODecember 21, 2012Wireless customers migrated to Tbaytel
    EdTel MobilityEdmonton TelAMPS1995Purchased by the newly formed Telus in 1995. In 1996, the AGT and Ed Tel brands were retired in favour of the Telus name.
    FidoMicrocellGSMEDGENovember 8, 2004Network merged with Rogers; continues to operate as an MVNO.
    Freedom MobileShawGSM, UMTS, VoLTEEDGE, HSPA+, LTEDecember 21, 2023Network merged with Videotron; continues to operate as an MVNO.
    Kenora Municipal Telephone Service Kenora Municipal Telephone ServiceCDMA2000EV-DOFebruary 2008Acquired by Bell Aliant.
    Lynx MobilityLynx MobilityGSMEDGEMarch 2018Ceased operations.
    MobilicityDAVE WirelessUMTSHSPA+2016Acquired by Rogers Wireless; customers transitioned to Chatr Mobile.
    NorthernTel MobilityNorthernTel MobilityJuly 19, 2015NorthernTel Mobility wireless subscribers moved to Bell Mobility.
    NorthwestelNorthwestelJune 19, 2014Wireless services discontinued, sold to Bell Mobility.
    Public MobilePublic MobileCDMA2000EV-DOAugust 8, 2014Acquired by Telus; CDMA network decommissioned, continues to operate as a Telus MVNO
    Superior WirelessSuperior WirelessCDMA2000EV-DOAugust 2006Merged with TBayTel
    Télébec MobilitéTélébecFebruary 2007Télébec Mobilité wireless subscribers moved to Bell Aliant.
    TNWInvestel Capital3G

    eSIM networks in Canada

    The adoption of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology has increased among Canadian mobile network operators, enabling users to activate cellular service without the need for a physical SIM card.
    Major carriers, including Bell Mobility, Rogers, and Telus, have integrated eSIM support into their postpaid and select prepaid plans, facilitating greater flexibility for consumers.