As of March 2021, there are over 33 million wireless subscriptions in Canada.[1] Approximately 90% of Canadian mobile phone users subscribe to one of the four largest national telecommunication companies (Rogers Wireless, Telus Mobility, Bell Mobility and Freedom Mobile) or one of their subsidiary brands. These four mobile network operators own and operate transmission facilities that cover most of the country, though they sometimes share each other's networks in certain geographical regions in order to reduce costs and reach more customers.
The remaining 10% of subscribers are served by smaller, regional providers, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and resellers.[2] Regional providers own and operate transmission facilities that cover a limited area and rely on partnerships with national service providers to connect their customers across Canada. In contrast, MVNOs and resellers do not own spectrum or network infrastructure and are required to lease network capacity from other providers at wholesale rates. While MVNOs have their own facilities to package and support their mobile services, resellers rely on the host network provider to package, market, bill, and deliver mobile services.[3]
All wireless service providers in Canada are regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which has been blamed by some for the concentration of wireless service subscribers to only three large national carriers. Though measures have been taken to encourage more competition, critics suggest that more should be done to address the issue, e.g. by mandating wholesale network access for MVNOs.[4][5]
Mobile network operators (MNOs)
This is a list of mobile network operators, which includes national and regional service providers. Where applicable, this list will also include any subsidiary "extension" brands associated with a mobile service provider. While primary brands, such as Rogers Wireless or Bell Mobility, account for roughly 82% of wireless revenue, extension brands allow wireless service providers to differentiate service offerings and reach broader market segments.[6]
The adoption of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology has increased among Canadian mobile network operators, enabling users to activate cellular service without the need for a physical SIM card.
Major carriers, including Bell Mobility, Rogers, and Telus, have integrated eSIM support into their postpaid and select prepaid plans, facilitating greater flexibility for consumers.
Additionally, several MVNOs, such as Lucky Mobile, Fido, and Virgin Plus, commercial companies Ohayu[14]
, Airalo, Maya have introduced eSIM functionality, expanding accessibility to a broader user base. The implementation of eSIM technology offers significant advantages, including enhanced convenience for international travelers, improved support for dual-SIM functionality, and the potential for streamlined device provisioning in enterprise settings. As eSIM adoption continues to grow, it is expected to play a critical role in the evolution of Canada’s telecommunications infrastructure. According to the Canadian Telecommunications Association[15]
, by 2026, the country will be close to investing $6B in 5G scaling.
