Getting a phone and internet plan when you move to Canada

As a newcomer, one of the first things you’ll do when arriving in Canada is setting up your phone and internet plan.

Courtesy of Virgin Plus, this article will outline what to look for from your telecom provider to ensure you gain access to an affordable plan that suits your needs.  

Before you make any decisions, it is helpful to understand the Canadian telecom (“telcos”) landscape.  

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Find a phone plan that suits your needs 

There are two general types of phone plans available in Canada, prepaid and postpaid. Prepaid plans are paid for upfront before the services are used.  Meanwhile, postpaid plans allow you to pay for the service at the end of each billing cycle (typically monthly) and help build your credit score.  

It is important to note that some telecom providers emphasize prepaid plans while others emphasize postpaid plans. It is recommended that you keep your options open to see what type of plan best suits your needs. 

Canada is vast, cellular coverage is key 

Canada is a large country. As such, it is important for newcomers to evaluate the size of each telecom provider’s network before making a choice. Make sure to review the size and strength of a telecom provider’s network to determine whether they can service your needs. You can do this by checking the telecom provider’s coverage map on their website.  

Adding data to your phone plan helps you stay connected  

Many telecom providers across Canada now offer data that users can add to their standard phone plans. This is an important distinction to keep in mind since unlike in some other countries, where mobile plans tend to include unlimited data, here in Canada, certain plans may require you to pay for a set amount of data allocation. 

Most data plans in Canada run at either 4G or 5G until a user reaches the monthly data limit indicated in their plan. At this time, higher bandwidth applications (such as emails with attachments, social media, and video streaming), may still work but will often take longer to load. 

It is smart to bundle internet and TV services

Most Canadian telecom providers offer deals with bundled services, allowing newcomers to get more value if they go with a package that includes multiple service types (TV, Internet and Mobile). Based on what services you and your family need, ensure you take the time to find the provider and service package that works best for you.

Look for ways to get more value 

It is recommended that you look for a telecom provider that offers you many ways to get more value, both on your service package and even on everyday purchases. It is common for Canadian telcos to offer bundles and perks to help newcomers get the most value out of their telco services. When choosing your provider, consider what they offer beyond the day-to-day service. 

With that in mind, here’s how Virgin Plus can help support your telecom needs as a newcomer to Canada: 

Affordable Prepaid and Postpaid Plan Options: Virgin Plus Members are provided with both affordable prepaid and postpaid options, giving you the freedom to pick the best plan for you.   

Canada-Wide Cellular Coverage: Virgin Plus offers a nationwide 4G LTE network that covers 99% of Canadians. Virgin Plus also has new unlimited nationwide rate plans and 5G network access that is both larger and faster than competitor telecoms brands.  

Access to 5G at an Affordable Price: Virgin Plus offers unlimited nationwide 5G data plans that include data at speeds of up to 250 Mbps for the allotted data*.  

Disclaimer (*): Data speeds are reduced to 256 Kbps once monthly data allotment is reached but Virgin Plus will send you a text message notifying you when you have used 95% and 100% of your monthly 5G (full speed) allotment. At this time, Virgin Plus Members may choose to upgrade to a data plan with a greater 5G data allotment. Data is non-shareable. Excludes Roam Sweet Roam.

More Data Options to Choose from: Virgin Plus also offers plans from 250 MB to unlimited data per month on 3G, 4G and 5G speeds, depending on your needs.  

Bundled Services: In addition to their mobile plan options, Virgin Plus also offers affordable high-speed internet and app-based TV service to Members**. Virgin Plus TV offers newcomers access to the newest and hottest TV shows, both live and on-demand, available to stream anytime and anywhere. Virgin Plus also offers home internet packages with three different tiered options that you can choose from based on you and your family’s needs. From download speeds of 50 to 300 Mbps, all with unlimited usage, Virgin Plus Members looking for home internet can always find a package with the speed they need.

Disclaimer (**): For Members in Ontario and Québec only.

Virgin Plus has the #1 Telco rewards program in Canada – Member Benefits^[1]: Members who redeem offers can save up to $1,200 per year^[2] with deals on food, fashion, entertainment and travel. With new partners being added all the time, Members are always getting amazing value for their money on everyday purchases. Plus, with new Member Mondays offers, Members get bonus deals every Monday from national partners like The Source, Walmart, Fujifilm, and Sleep Country for your home essentials.

^[1]  Based on the telco with the most offers in 2023.

^[2]  Based on online offers available in 2023.

Kick start your Canadian journey and get an affordable mobile phone plan with Virgin Plus  

Newcomers can now use their international IDs such as Study Permit, Work Permit or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR), along with their foreign passport to sign up for a plan.

You can also take advantage of our great offers. These plans are available to those who bring their own devices looking for a new phone plan.

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