In Calgary, as in the rest of Canada, there are several categories of special offers for international calls to Ukraine, ranging from tariff plans offered by major operators to alternative VoIP solutions and mobile apps. The pricing and availability of services changed significantly after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022, when Canadian telecommunications companies temporarily waived international call charges to Ukraine.
Current status of special offers from major operators
Telus and subsidiary brands
Telus offers the widest range of international plans among the “big three” Canadian operators. The following options are available for calls to Ukraine:
Telus mobile plans:
- World 1000: 1000 minutes to over 55 countries (including Ukraine) for $27/month
- 120 minutes: to over 20 countries for $7/month
- 100 minutes: to over 18 countries for $9/month
- 60 minutes: to 17 countries for $12/month
Telus Home Phone:
- World 60 Unlimited: unlimited calls to 60 international destinations for $25/month
- Pay-per-minute: 10¢ per minute to over 60 countries, including Ukraine
Bell Canada
Bell offers less competitive rates for Ukraine compared to other carriers. Bell Mobility's standard rates are $3.99 per minute for calls to Ukraine on both landlines and mobile numbers. This makes Bell the most expensive option among major carriers for regular communication with Ukraine.
Rogers Communications
Rogers offers several international add-on options:
- 1000 international minutes to selected countries (including Ukraine)
- Travel Pass options for long trips
- Pay-per-use rates for irregular use
Subsidiaries and budget brands
- Public Mobile (owned by Telus) does not offer direct calls to Ukraine through its rate plans.
- Koodo Mobile (also Telus) has limited international options that do not include Ukraine.
- Freedom Mobile offers a World Saver add-on with rates starting at 1¢/minute for international calls (rates for Ukraine need to be confirmed).
Historical free calls during the war
In February-March 2022, all major Canadian carriers temporarily waived charges for calls to Ukraine:
- Bell: until March 31, 2022
- Rogers: until the end of March 2022
- Telus: until March 12, 2022
- Freedom Mobile: until March 31, 2022
- Videotron: until March 31, 2022
These measures were temporary and are no longer in effect.
Special programs for Ukrainian newcomers
Videotron (Quebec)
- 6 months of free mobile service (20GB plan)
- 1,000 refurbished mobile devices for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress
- Special activation terms until July 2022
Telus Newcomers Program
- Welcome plans starting at $65/month
- Ability to use international documents
- Lenient credit check terms
VoIP and alternative solutions
Professional VoIP services
BOSS Revolution:
- Landline numbers: 16.1¢/min
- Mobile numbers: 30.1¢/min
- $2 bonus for new users
Viber Out:
- From 9.0¢/min
- Packages: 100 min for €9.99, 200 min for €19.99, 400 min for €34.99
- Calls from Canada to Ukraine from 18.0¢/min
Calling Card services
Ontario Phone Cards:
- Rates from 14.7¢/min
- Instant PIN delivery
CiCi Phone Card (Goldline Group):
- No additional fees
- 180-day validity
- Access via toll-free numbers
Free and almost free solutions
Messengers with calling feature
- WhatsApp — high sound quality
- Viber — popular in Ukraine
- Telegram — popular among Ukrainians
- Signal — secure, but with lower sound quality
Other options
- Google Voice — free when set up in the US
- Zangi Messenger — works even with weak internet connection
Specialized solutions for the Ukrainian-Canadian community
Ukrainian Credit Union (UCU):
- Welcome Ukraine banking package
- Free accounts and credit cards
- Ukrainian-language service
Support for the Ukrainian community in Alberta:
- 24-hour hotline: 1-866-644-5135
- Alberta Supports Contact Centre: 1-877-644-9992
Practical tips for choosing the best solution
For regular communication (100+ minutes/month):
- Telus World 1000 — 1000 minutes for $27/month (2.7¢/min)
- VoIP — BOSS Revolution or Viber Out (16–30¢/min)
- Calling cards — Ontario Phone Cards (from 14.7¢/min)
For irregular communication
For occasional calls (less than 50 minutes per month):
- Free messengers — WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram
- Pay-per-use VoIP — BOSS Revolution, Viber Out
- Telus pay-per-minute — 10¢/minute (home phone only)
For new immigrants
Ukrainian newcomers can take advantage of:
- Telus Newcomers program — special rates and terms
- Ukrainian Credit Union — banking services in Ukrainian
- Government support lines — free consultations in Ukrainian
Technical requirements and connection quality
For VoIP solutions
For high-quality VoIP communication, you need:
- A stable internet connection (minimum 1 Mbps)
- WiFi or unlimited mobile internet
- A smartphone or computer with a microphone
Network quality in Calgary
The best coverage in Calgary is provided by:
- Bell and Telus (shared towers in Alberta)
- Rogers (slightly worse coverage outside the city)
- Freedom Mobile (limited coverage)
Future trends and recommendations
Development of eSIM technology
New technologies, such as eSIM from providers like Holafly, allow you to:
- Use local Ukrainian numbers when traveling
- Unlimited internet for VoIP calls
- Flexible switching between operators
Recommendations for different user groups
-
Families with children: combination of Telus World 1000 for parents + WhatsApp for children
-
Business users: professional VoIP solutions such as JustCall or FreJun
-
Seniors: phone cards or Telus home phone
-
Students: free messengers + occasional use of calling cards
Conclusion
Although there are currently no special permanent offers for calls to Ukraine in Calgary, Ukrainian Canadians have access to a wide range of economical solutions. The best choice depends on the frequency of calls, budget, and technical capabilities. Telus remains the most competitive among traditional carriers, while VoIP solutions and messengers offer the lowest rates. Ukrainian newcomers can take advantage of special support programs and free consultations to choose the best solution for communicating with their loved ones in Ukraine.