Canadians pay some of the highest phone and internet bills in the world, but almost nobody pays the posted price for long. The people paying least either switched to a cheaper brand on the same network or called and asked. Here’s how to do both.
1. Know what you’re paying and when your promo ends
Pull up your last bill and note three things: your monthly total after taxes, what you actually use (data, speed), and when any promotional price ends. A lot of “bill shock” is a promo quietly expiring. The CRTC has announced rules requiring providers to warn customers before longer promotions end, but don’t wait for the reminder: put the date in your calendar.
2. Look at the cheaper brands on the same networks
Each of the big carriers runs lower-cost brands on the same network, so you often get the same coverage for less:
| Owner | Main brand | Lower-cost brands |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers | Rogers | Fido, chatr |
| Bell | Bell | Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile |
| Telus | Telus | Koodo, Public Mobile |
| Quebecor (Vidéotron) | Vidéotron, Freedom Mobile | Fizz |
The cheapest brands usually trim extras like in-store support, but for most people the network is what matters, and that’s the same.
3. Bring your own phone
The biggest part of many phone bills is the phone itself. If you buy your phone outright, or keep the one you have, you can take a “bring your own device” plan, which is almost always cheaper. Phones sold in Canada must be sold unlocked, so your current phone will generally work with another carrier.
If you’re still paying off a phone through your carrier, you’ll owe the remaining device balance if you leave. Check how much is left before you switch.
4. Switching is easier, and free, now
Since June 12, 2026, the CRTC has banned fees to activate, change or cancel a postpaid cellphone plan or a home internet plan from the large providers. That removes one of the main reasons people stayed on a plan they’d outgrown. You can keep your phone number when you switch carriers; the new provider handles the transfer.
Under the CRTC’s Wireless Code, new postpaid plans also come with a trial period: if you’re not happy within the first 15 days (and stay within half your plan’s usage limits), you can cancel.
5. Call and ask for a better price
Providers would rather keep you at a lower price than lose you. To give the call its best chance:
- Do your homework first. Know a specific competing offer, including the price, data or speed, and provider.
- Ask for the retention or loyalty department, or say you’re thinking of cancelling.
- Be polite and specific. “I can get 100 GB for $X with another provider. Can you match it?” Notes are kept on your account, and courtesy goes further than threats.
- Don’t take the first offer if it isn’t good enough. It’s fine to say you’ll think about it and call back.
- Get it confirmed in writing: the new price, how long it lasts, and the total with taxes.
- Be ready to actually switch. If they won’t move, the competing offer is still there.
6. Lower your home internet bill
- Check the speed you actually need. Many households pay for far more speed than they use. Streaming and video calls work fine on a mid-tier plan.
- Compare independent providers. Smaller internet providers rent access to the big networks and often charge less for similar speeds.
- Watch out for bundles. A TV, phone and internet bundle can be a deal, or a way to pay for channels you don’t watch. Price each piece separately.
- Look at the price after the promo ends, not just the first few months.
7. Time it for Black Friday
Late November brings some of the best phone plan deals of the year, especially from the lower-cost brands, with extra data or lower prices that last for the life of the plan. If your plan or promotion is up for renewal around then, it’s worth waiting a few weeks. We’ll post the best Black Friday Canada plan deals as they go live.
FAQ
Can I cancel my cellphone plan without a fee?
Since June 12, 2026, the CRTC has banned fees to activate, change or cancel postpaid cellphone and home internet plans from the large providers. If you financed a phone through your carrier, you still owe the remaining device balance.
Will my phone work with another carrier?
Generally, yes. Phones sold in Canada must be unlocked, and you can keep your number when you switch.
Are Fizz, Koodo and Public Mobile on the same networks as the big carriers?
Yes. Koodo and Public Mobile are owned by Telus, Fido and chatr by Rogers, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile by Bell, and Fizz by Vidéotron, which also owns Freedom Mobile.
When are the best phone plan deals?
Black Friday and Boxing Day usually bring the strongest plan promotions of the year, especially from the lower-cost brands.
Last checked October 2026. Plans and prices change constantly, so confirm the details with each provider before you switch.
