What Is an MVNO? A Canadian Guide to Small Carriers

By Stephen Clark

Last updated 01 December 2023

Closeup of Canadian cell phone SIM cards

Contents

In this guide:

What is an MVNO?
Cheaper options
MVNOS and networks
iPhone and smartphone support
CRTC involvement
MVNO coverage near you
Frequently asked questions

MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators, are wireless providers who resell access to cell phone services on major wireless networks to offer cell phone services. MVNOs have fewer costs, so they can offer similar services on affordable plans.

In markets with a lot of MVNO carriers, like the U.S., plans can be cheaper and offer more features when compared to the Canadian market. There are already several MVNOs operating in Canada, though few customers fully understand what the title even means.

Canadians pay high prices for cell phone data, but we also have one of the fastest and most reliable networks on the planet. It’s great to have that kind of infrastructure, but affordability is the most important factor for many Canadians. That’s where MVNOs can help.

Young people on cell phones and other connected devices

What is an MVNO?

The acronym “MVNO” stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. These companies operate their own sales and customer service, but buy network service from major carriers (including Bell, Rogers and Telus ) at a wholesale rate then sell access to its customers (you). Some examples of Canadian MVNOs include dotmobile, CityFone, 7-Eleven SpeakOut , and Petro-Canada Mobile. Just about any company can become a cell phone service provider because the cell phone and service networks are rented out by existing networks.

Other MVNO companies you’ve probably heard of include Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus, but all three carriers are fully owned and operated by Rogers, Telus, and Bell, respectively. The same goes for discount prepaid services from Chatr, Public Mobile, and Lucky Mobile. To better understand how these flanker brands compete, read our guide to Fido vs. Koodo vs. Virgin Plus.

#1	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $34 Plan with 20GB Data and Unlimited Minutes 20GB at 4G speeds up to 150Mbps $34/mth Go	$34/mth	Go
#2	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $34 Plan with 20GB Data and Unlimited Minutes 20GB at 4G speeds up to 150Mbps $34/mth Go	$34/mth	Go
#3	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $34 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 50GB Unlimited 50GB at 5G full speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Get $1.70/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $34 + $10 Upfront Go	$34 + $10 Upfront	Go
#4	Fido	Fido $34 Data, Talk & Text Plan with 20GB 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps $34/mth Go	$34/mth	Go
#5	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $34 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 20GB Data 20GB at 4G speed up to 100Mbps $34/mth + $10 Upfront Go	$34/mth + $10 Upfront	Go
#6	Lucky Mobile	Lucky Mobile $29 Unlimited Canada-wide Calling Plan 35GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Deal: Receive 10GB/mo. bonus data for 24 months + Get your third month free with new activation on this plan $29 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront Go	$29 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront	Go
#7	Chatr Wireless	Chatr Wireless $34 Nationwide + US Talk, Text & 4G Data plan 52GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Deal: Get 2GB with auto-pay when you activate on this plan + Receive 1 month's fee in credit with new activations only $34 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront Go	$34 Per 1 Month Top-up + $10 Upfront	Go

American MVNOs

The U.S. market offers a far greater number of wireless providers, largely due to MVNOs. American carriers such as Cricket Wireless, Google Fi, Ting or Boost Mobile are prime examples of how MVNOs offer lower prices. The wildly popular Mint Mobile—owned by Canadian actor, Ryan Reynolds—operates as an MVNO and provides cheap plans with unlimited data and 5G access for less than half the price of Canadian premium carriers.

Canadian MVNOs

Most independent wireless carriers in Canada purchase wholesale access to cell towers and network infrastructure. Customers can buy a SIM card from these carriers and subscribe to wireless plans just the same as the major networks. However, because wholesale access is controlled by the incumbent networks, there is little variety in plan prices, and premium features like 5G and unlimited data are not available.

#1	7-Eleven SpeakOut	7-Eleven SpeakOut No Data Included $25 Per 365 Day Top-up $10 Upfront	100%	Go
#2	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	88%	Go
#3	Good2Go Mobile (previously Petro Canada)	Good2Go Mobile (previously Petro Canada) 7GB Data $40 Per 30 Day Top-up $10 Upfront	3%	Go

If you're looking for other affordable options, we recommend checking out our in-depth list of the cheapest cell phone plans in Canada. If you're looking for a true 5G MVNO, you're out of luck. With that being said, Public Mobile is not technically an MVNO, considering it's owned by Telus, but it is the only MVNO-like flanker offering prepaid 5G plans, including the $65 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 50GB plan. Check out their other popular plans below.

#1	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $34 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 50GB Unlimited 50GB at 5G full speeds up to 250Mbps Deal: Get $1.70/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $34 + $10 Upfront Go	$34 + $10 Upfront	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $29 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 10GB 10GB at 4G speeds up to 100Mbps $29 + $10 Upfront Go	$29 + $10 Upfront	Go
#3	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $15 100min Canada-wide Calling + 250MB 250MB at 3G speeds up to 3Mbps Deal: Receive $0.75/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $15 + $10 Upfront Go	$15 + $10 Upfront	Go
#4	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $26 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 4GB 4GB at 4G speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $1.30/mo. with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $26 + $10 Upfront Go	$26 + $10 Upfront	Go
#5	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $25 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 1GB 1GB at 3G speeds up to 3Mbps Deal: Receive $1.25/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $25 + $10 Upfront Go	$25 + $10 Upfront	Go

Why are MVNOs cheaper?

There are fewer overhead costs for MVNO providers, so they can charge lower prices. Major networks like Bell, Rogers and Telus operate nationwide networks of cell phone towers, the core network infrastructure that connects them, as well as technical, sales and customer support staff. MVNOs don’t need to own cell towers, complex networks or even storefronts; many sell wireless service exclusively online. These providers simply buy core network access at wholesale rates from the major networks, then enable their customers to access those networks—often at a lower price than the incumbents offer.

What are regional carriers (and how do they compare to MVNOs)?

In 2022, the CRTC officially opened the market to MVNOs, so long as they own cellular facilities and existing Tier 4 wireless spectrum block. It's yet to be seen if lower prices offered by incumbents in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec will expand to the rest of Canada.

The effect of buying wholesale access on plan prices can also be seen in regional carriers like Freedom Mobile, Videotron, Fizz, and Sasktel. These mobile providers operate a smaller network of cell phone towers than Bell, Rogers, and Telus. Freedom Mobile offers coverage in three provinces, but some carriers like Ice Wireless only offer municipal coverage throughout Canada's far north.

The cost of maintaining a geographically smaller network costs less, so service from regional carriers is often cheaper but also limited in coverage. Regional carriers buy wholesale access to partner networks across Canada for customers who roam outside the carrier’s primary coverage area. That way, costs remain low and so do cell phone plan prices.

Which network does my MVNO use?

Most MVNOs use Bell, Rogers, or Telus for access. Some flanker brands, like Fizz and Freedom Mobile, use regional networks. Knowing which network your MVNO carrier uses is important if your phone needs to be unlocked. When your old and new carriers use the same network, then you probably don’t need to unlock your phone. Even if you are switching networks, unlocking your phone is easy and free!

Can I use my iPhone with MVNOs?

All smartphones (including the Apple iPhone) that currently work on major networks should also work on MVNOs in Canada since they use the same cell towers. If you own an older device (over three years) then you may need to unlock your cell phone depending on which network your MVNO uses.

Why does the CRTC need to get involved?

A 2022 CRTC ruling mandated the three national networks and Sasktel to provide wholesale rates to all regional carriers. The intention is to allow these carriers that already own cell towers and have licensed wireless spectrum to expand their infrastructure. Unfortunately, the ruling excludes full MVNOs like dotmobile, TextNow and Mint Mobile as they do not own their own cell towers.

In fact, all three carriers spoke out against expanding the market to enable MVNOs by arguing that such companies don’t invest in critical telecommunications infrastructure. However, when T-Mobile opened its networks to independent MVNOs, many new companies sprang up and cell phone plans became far more affordable to more Americans. Today, T-Mobile is one of the three largest networks in the country and offers America’s largest 5G network.

There’s little evidence that enabling MVNOs will negatively affect infrastructure development. In fact, we believe it enables more consumers to be connected on inexpensive plans. At WhistleOut, we’re kind of big on finding affordable plans that are right for you.

Which MVNOs have coverage near me?

MVNO coverage and prices are often highly specific to your location. Our cell phone plan search tool customizes results based on talk time, data use, and even where you live. Enter your address (or postal code if you want to remain private) and we’ll only show you carriers that have coverage in your area. We’ll also show you plans from more than a dozen wireless carriers on one simple page.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

What is an MVNO?: FAQs

Is there a Rogers MVNO?

Yes, there are two Rogers MVNOS: both Fido and Chatr operate on the Rogers nationwide network.

Is there a Bell MVNO?

Yes, there are two Bell MVNOs: both Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile operate on the Bell nationwide network.

What is the best MVNO in Canada?

The best MVNO in Canada is Koodo Mobile, thanks to low prices, large data allotments, and reliable coverage on the Telus nationwide network.

Which MVNO has the best customer service?

The MVNO with the best customer service is Virgin Plus. In 2021, J.D. Power and Associates ranked every Canadian carrier based on customer service, with Virgin Plus finishing second behind Videotron.

Is Mint Mobile coming to Canada?

Right now, Mint Mobile is not coming to Canada. The 2022 CRTC legislation regarding MVNOs privileged regional carriers who already own and operate their own networks. That decision leaves MVNOs like Mint Mobile, who do not already own towers in Canada, without the government support needed to gain access to the Big Three's networks.