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Data-only wireless plans in Canada

Canadians are demanding greater choice of innovative and affordable mobile wireless services in Canada. Technology is everywhere and in every aspect of our lives.

In this constantly evolving digital world, Canadians rely more and more on wireless services to connect, work or even play online.

Reducing the cost of data-only plans

We recently held a consultation and found that there was a gap in the wireless market for lower-cost data-only plans. We addressed this gap with the national wireless providers to ensure Canadians across the country have access to affordable and innovative choices.

As a result, the national wireless providers introduced a variety of lower-cost data-only plans that were not previously available in the Canadian market. Since then, some competitors have also introduced such plans, providing Canadians with more options. We want Canadians to have the flexibility to use the voice and messaging applications of their choice.

Providers such as Virgin, Lucky, Fido, Chatr, Public Mobile and Koodo have committed to offering plans that will range from $15 for 250 MB to $30 for 1GB on a prepaid and postpaid basis.

In 2019, the average price for mobile plans with 1GB of data decreased by 25.8% compared to 2018 (from $39.10 to $29.03). (See Figure 5.10 in the 2020 Communications Monitoring Report and tab MB-F7 from the Excel workbook, Data – Retail mobile.)

Making low-cost and occasional-use plans easier to access

In addition to data-only plans, we recently put measures in place to ensure Canadians can benefit from more affordable wireless plans. By July 14, 2021, we are expecting Bell, Rogers, Telus and SaskTel to offer and promote low-cost and occasional-use plans on their premium brands.

We continue to monitor the evolution, implementation, and availability of the wireless plans in the market place and to look at ways to improve choice and affordability of mobile wireless services for Canadians.

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