Which Network Is Behind Your MVNO?

By Stephen Clark

Last updated 30 November 2023

Smaller cell service providers, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), are cropping up all over the place. While there are only three nationwide cell phone networks in Canada, there are now heaps of smaller suppliers.

What is an MVNO?

Essentially, all of the MVNOs buy service in bulk at wholesale prices, then resell that same service to us. But because they have lower overheads, smaller advertising budgets, and many don’t stock handsets, they can offer the same products as the big-brand telcos, but at much cheaper rates. WhistleOut has a full breakdown of how MVNOs work in Canada.

If you own your own phone and want to save money, you should check these guys out. Most phones work seamlessly between different carriers in Canada, but before you make any decisions, you’ll have to make sure that your phone will work with the MVNO of your choice. To make this easier, we’ve put together a list of suppliers based on which network they operate on.

Telus Mobility network MVNOs

Telus offers a few MVNOs that take advantage of its nationwide wireless network. These carriers provide discounted plans and perks for budget-minded consumers. We're especially fond of the Public Mobile, Telus' prepaid 5G flanker and their Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB plan, which offers 50GB of full-speed 5G data and perks like monthly Public Points rewards.

Want to see other solid MVNO plans on the Telus network? We've got a list of the most popular plans below.

#1	Public Mobile	Public Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $34 Per 30 Days $10 Upfront Deal: Get $1.70/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only	100%	Go
#2	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile 250MB Data No Contract $15/mth $10 Upfront	34%	Go
#3	Telus	Telus 3GB Data $35 Per 30 Day Top-up $10 Upfront Deal: Get 2GB data when you sign-up with auto-payment options and use the promo code AUTO2GB	17%	Go

Rogers Wireless network MVNOs

The Rogers network is home to six MVNOs, including several prepaid carriers. Our favorite Rogers MVNO is Fido, a budget carrier that consistently offers some of the best cell phone plans in Canada. We're big fans of their Data, Talk & Text plan, which offers unlimited talk and text along with 20GB of 4G LTE data for a seriously low price.

Carrier	Fido
Data	20GB Data
Type	Contract (24 mths)
Total Price	$29 per month with Auto-Pay discount
	View Plan

56 Phones Available

Want to see what the other Rogers MVNOs provide? We've ranked the most popular ones below.

#1	Fido	Fido 250MB Data No Contract $15/mth	100%	Go
#2	Rogers	Rogers Unlimited Data No Contract $40/mth Deal: Get $25/mo. off this plan for 24 months when you bring your own phone	60%	Go
#3	Chatr Wireless	Chatr Wireless 500MB Data $25 Per 1 Month Top-up $10 Upfront Deal: Get 1 month's fee in credit with new activations only	17%	Go
#4	7-Eleven SpeakOut	7-Eleven SpeakOut No Data Included $15 Per 30 Day Top-up $10 Upfront	3%	Go
#5	Good2Go Mobile (previously Petro Canada)	Good2Go Mobile (previously Petro Canada) No Data Included $15 Per 30 Day Top-up $10 Upfront	3%	Go

Bell Mobility network MVNOs

The Bell network provides service to over 99% of the population and the carrier's MVNOs and flankers are able to do the same. Virgin Plus is Bell's mid-range flanker, with affordable 5G and 4G LTE plans, often aimed at urban professionals and students. Virgin's $45 30GB plan is especially strong, offering unlimited talk and text along with reliable coverage on Bell's nationwide network.

Want to see what Bell's other brands can offer? Check the most popular options below.

#1	PC Mobile	PC Mobile 25GB Data $29 Per 1 Month Top-up $10 Upfront Deal: Receive 5GB bonus data with Auto-Allowance + 20,000 PC Optimum points after 2 months of service	100%	Go
#2	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) 20GB Data No Contract $34/mth	64%	Go
#3	Bell	Bell 10GB Data $30 Per 1 Month Top-up $10 Upfront Deal: Get 5GB bonus data with Automatic monthly top-up options	58%	Go
#4	Lucky Mobile	Lucky Mobile 1.5GB Data $25 Per 1 Month Top-up $10 Upfront	39%	Go

* Some MVNOs are fully-owned flanker brands of Bell, Rogers or Telus

The Canadian guide to switching and saving cell phone plans

If you already own a phone, you can save a bunch of money each month with a "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) "SIM-only" phone plan. Here are our best guides to get you started, with everything you need to know about how these plans work, and some of the best plans broken down by which network provides them.

TIP: Because all the major Canadian networks use the same technologies, there is a good chance that your unlocked phone will work on all of the plans listed in these guides.