Mobile Plan in Quebec: How to Choose and Save

In Quebec, the mobile market is dominated by three major groups: Bell, Telus and Rogers. Each also operates budget brands — respectively Virgin Plus, Koodo and Fido. Vidéotron is the fourth major carrier, Quebec-specific, and operates the Fizz brand. Virtual operators like Public Mobile, Freedom Mobile and Chatr use these major networks to offer even cheaper plans. For a newcomer, understanding this hierarchy helps avoid overpaying: parent brands charge more while budget brands often offer the same networks at lower prices.

For a newcomer wanting reliable coverage at a fair price, the most recommended options are Fizz, Public Mobile and Koodo.

• Fizz (Vidéotron brand): flexible no-contract plans from ~$20/month for 5 GB, with the ability to add data as needed each month.
• Public Mobile (uses Telus network): among the cheapest prepaid plans on the market, with discounts for automatic payments.
• Koodo (Telus network): excellent coverage with flexible plans and data-sharing options.
• Bell/Rogers/Telus (parent brands): reliable but significantly more expensive for equivalent service.

Before choosing a plan, understand what the terms mean:

• Unlimited calls and texts within Canada and the US are now standard in most Canadian plans.
• Mobile data is capped in most affordable plans — once the limit is hit, speed drops to a few kb/s, making browsing unusable.
• International calls to your home country are usually NOT included — use WhatsApp, Messenger or Google Voice over WiFi, which is free.
• International roaming (using your phone outside Canada) is very expensive with major carriers unless you buy a travel add-on. Fizz and Public Mobile offer fixed-rate roaming days for travellers.

When you arrive in Quebec, you have no Canadian credit history yet. This doesn't stop you from getting a phone plan, but it affects the type of plan available.

Prepaid plans (Public Mobile, Fizz, Chatr) require no credit check. You pay in advance each month and don't need a credit card — a prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card works.

Postpaid plans from major carriers (monthly bill at the end of the month) may require a credit check or a security deposit if your Canadian history is insufficient.

Recommendation: start with a prepaid or no-contract plan — you can switch to postpaid once your credit is established.

A few strategies to reduce your monthly bill:

1. Compare on WhistleOut or the CRTC comparison tool to see all options in your region.
2. Take advantage of promotional periods — Black Friday, Valentine's Day and back-to-school are when carriers offer the best deals.
3. With Public Mobile, you get a permanent monthly discount for using automatic card payment.
4. Group lines as a family — most carriers offer discounts for multiple lines.
5. If you use little data, a 2–5 GB plan is often enough with WiFi at home. Test your real needs before paying for 50 GB.

These related guides may be useful:

• Useful apps in Quebec — the best free apps to get settled.
• Home internet in Quebec — how to choose your internet provider.
• Building credit in Canada — to access the best postpaid plans.

To compare plans available in Canada: CRTC comparator — crtc.gc.ca. For mobile consumer rights: the CRTC Wireless Code. For the carriers mentioned: fizz.ca, publicmobile.ca and koodo.com.