Are there any prepaid plans, and are they cost-effective?
Prepaid or pay-as-you-go mobile plans are widely available in Calgary and offer an attractive alternative to traditional contract plans, especially for newcomers, students, and those who want more control over their telecommunications expenses. These plans allow users to pay for mobile services in advance, avoiding long-term commitments and unpredictable bills. In the Canadian mobile market, prepaid options have become particularly popular due to their flexibility and affordability.
Availability of prepaid plans in Calgary
Major carriers offering prepaid services
All major telecommunications carriers in Calgary offer a wide range of prepaid plans. TELUS Prepaid offers plans starting at $15 per month with a free SIM card when you order online. The company offers both monthly plans and long-term options for 90, 180, and even 365 days, which can be cost-effective for users with predictable needs.
Rogers, through its subsidiary brand Chatr Mobile, positions itself as Canada's leading prepaid provider. Chatr offers plans ranging from $15 to $50 per month with unlimited calls within Canada, text messages, and varying amounts of data. A particular advantage of Chatr is that there are no surprises on your bill — once you've used up your data, your speed slows down, but you won't be charged extra.
Bell Mobility offers prepaid services through Lucky Mobile, which specializes in affordable plans with no long-term commitments. Lucky Mobile offers plans ranging from $19 to $55 per month with free eSIM activation and the option to receive bonus data when you set up automatic refills.
Specialized prepaid carriers
Public Mobile, a subsidiary of TELUS, positions itself as Canada's first 5G subscription service with plans ranging from $23 to $50 per month. A unique feature of Public Mobile is the Public Points system, which allows customers to earn rewards simply for using the service. The company offers plans with coverage in Canada, the US, and Mexico, making it attractive to users with international needs.
Koodo Mobile Prepaid offers plans ranging from $15 to $60 per month with no credit checks or fixed contracts. The company recently launched an eSIM service with 100% off activation and offers bonus data when you set up automatic refills. Koodo operates on Canada's largest 4G LTE network, providing reliable coverage across the country.
Freedom Mobile offers prepaid plans with a focus on affordability and North American coverage. Plans start at $35 per month for 60 GB of data with the option to get a discount when bundled with Freedom home internet. The company offers plans up to 100 GB for $49 per month with unlimited data at reduced speeds after the main package is used up.
Benefits of prepaid plans for users in Calgary
Financial benefits
Prepaid plans offer significant economic benefits for many categories of users. Predictability of costs is one of the biggest advantages — you pay upfront for a certain amount of services and cannot exceed that limit without a conscious decision to top up your account. This is especially important for newcomers who are setting their budget in a new country.
No credit check makes prepaid plans accessible to everyone, regardless of credit history. For newcomers to Canada who have not yet established a credit history, this is often the only way to get mobile service without a significant deposit. Some providers, such as CanadianSIM, offer postpaid plans without a credit check, but prepaid remains the simplest option.
The absence of hidden fees is another important advantage. Prepaid plans do not have overage charges, activation fees, or early termination fees. The only additional cost may be the SIM card fee, which is typically $10–$25.
Flexibility and control
The ability to change plans without penalty allows users to adapt to changing needs. If your data usage increases or decreases, you can easily switch to a different plan the following month. This is especially useful for students, whose needs may vary depending on their academic calendar.
Control over usage helps avoid unexpected costs. Most prepaid plans stop providing service once your allowance is used up, rather than charging additional fees. Some carriers, such as Lucky Mobile and Chatr, reduce internet speeds instead of cutting you off completely.
Simplified activation
Quick activation of prepaid plans is often possible without visiting a store. Lucky Mobile, for example, offers free eSIM activation in minutes online. Public Mobile has a fully automated activation system that operates 24/7.
Minimal documentation is required to activate a prepaid plan — usually just a form of ID. This contrasts with postpaid plans, which may require proof of address, credit history, and sometimes a deposit.
Comparison with postpaid plans
Differences in price and features
Prepaid plans have traditionally been considered more expensive on a per-unit basis, but this gap has narrowed significantly. Modern prepaid plans often offer competitive prices compared to postpaid options. For example, Chatr offers a 70 GB plan for $39 per month, which is comparable to many postpaid offerings.