How to compare tariff plans for newcomers?

Choosing the right mobile phone plan is one of the most important decisions for newcomers to Calgary. Given the unique characteristics of the Canadian telecommunications market, the complexity of the rate structure, and the specific needs of immigrants, it is important to understand all aspects of comparing plans. The right plan can significantly impact your budget, convenience, and quality of service in your new country.

Main types of plans in Canada

Prepaid vs. postpaid plans

Prepaid plans require you to pay in advance for a certain number of minutes of talk time, text messages, and data. Once you have used up your allocated resources, you must top up your account to continue using the services. For newcomers, prepaid plans are often the best initial choice, as they do not require a credit history in Canada, do not involve long-term contracts, and make it easier to control your spending.

Postpaid plans require payment for services after they are used, usually on a fixed date each month. While postpaid plans often offer better prices per gigabyte and access to the latest smartphones with financing, they require a credit check.

Some providers, such as CanadianSIM, offer postpaid plans without a credit check, making them attractive to newcomers. These plans allow you to enjoy the benefits of postpaid services without needing a Canadian credit history.

Unlimited vs. limited plans

Unlimited plans include high-speed data up to a certain amount on the carrier's network, after which the speed is reduced to 512 kilobits per second. This means that you will continue to have access to the internet, but at a slower speed, with no additional charges for going over your limit.

Limited plans have a fixed amount of data, after which additional charges may apply. According to CRTC rules, carriers cannot charge more than $50 for data overages in a billing cycle without your explicit consent.

Key factors to compare

Cost and hidden fees

When comparing plans, it is important to consider not only the advertised price, but also all additional fees:

  • Activation fees can range from $10 to $80 depending on the carrier. Some providers, such as Fizz, do not charge activation fees. Rogers and Fido charge $80 for in-store activation, but waive this fee for self-activation online.
  • Automatic payments often offer discounts of $5 to $15 per month. These discounts are applied automatically if you set up automatic debits from your bank account or credit card.
  • Taxes and additional fees can significantly increase the total cost of the plan. In Alberta, GST (5%) is added to the plan price and a monthly 911 service fee may apply in some cases.

Data volume and speed

Data needs vary depending on usage. For basic use (email, messaging, light web browsing), 5-10 GB per month is sufficient. For active use of social media and video streaming, 50-100 GB or more may be required.

Network speed also matters. 5G networks offer speeds of up to 2 Gbps in select areas, while 4G LTE provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps. For most everyday tasks, 4G LTE is more than enough.

Network coverage

All major carriers provide coverage in Calgary, but quality may vary:

  • Bell and TELUS have identical coverage of 69.11% of Alberta's territory thanks to shared infrastructure.
  • Rogers covers 60.61% of the province.
  • Freedom Mobile has limited coverage of 0.78% of Alberta but provides good coverage within major urban areas.

Features for newcomers

Documents and requirements

To activate a mobile plan, you will typically need:

  • Proof of identity (passport, work or study permit)
  • Proof of Canadian address
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN), if available

Some carriers accept international documents and offer special plans for newcomers.

Programs for newcomers

  • Bell offers special plans for new immigrants with international calls to 27 countries and unlimited international text messages included. The company also offers a credit card based on credit history from the country of origin.
  • TELUS has a program for newcomers with plans starting at $65 per month and accepts valid international documents for identification. The company is also a partner of Canoo Newcomer Equity through the Canadian Citizenship Institute.
  • Rogers offers plans for newcomers with long-term options and access to the most reliable 5G+ network. The company also has a “We Speak Your Language” program with service in over 100 languages.

International calling and connectivity

For newcomers, access to international calling is important to stay connected with family and friends. Many plans include:

  • Unlimited international text messaging to most countries worldwide
  • Included minutes for calls to certain countries (often 1,000 minutes per month to countries such as India, China, the UK, Mexico, and Bangladesh)
  • Reduced rates for international calls to over 200 countries

For calls to Ukraine, some operators offered special conditions. Videotron provided free calls to Ukraine and six months of free mobile service for Ukrainian newcomers.

Technical aspects

eSIM vs. physical SIM card

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate a mobile plan without using a physical SIM card. The advantages of eSIM include:

  • Instant activation even before traveling
  • Ability to store multiple carrier profiles
  • Increased security, as it cannot be lost or stolen

Physical SIM cards remain the traditional option with the following advantages:

  • Universal compatibility with all devices
  • Ability to easily transfer between devices
  • Reliability and ease of use

For new arrivals, a physical SIM card is often the best choice as it requires no additional technical knowledge and works with all types of phones.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

BYOD plans allow you to use your own phone with a new plan. The benefits of BYOD include:

  • Lower monthly payments without having to finance a new device
  • No long-term commitments
  • Ability to switch carriers without penalty

Before switching to a BYOD plan, make sure your phone is compatible with your chosen carrier's network and is unlocked for use with other carriers.

Family plans and multi-line discounts

Discount structure

Most carriers offer significant discounts when you add multiple lines:

TELUS Family Discount:

  • 2 lines: $7.50 discount per line ($15 savings per month)
  • 3 lines: $10 discount per line ($30 savings per month)
  • 4+ lines: $15 discount per line ($60+ savings per month)

Rogers Family Plans offer mixed plans with different service levels:

  • Second line: from $55 per month
  • Third line: starting at $40 per month
  • Fourth line and more: starting at $30 per month

Videotron offers a $5 discount per line when you sign up for at least two mobile plans.

Strategies for newcomers

Family plans can be particularly advantageous for newcomers, as they allow you to:

  • Split the activation cost between multiple lines
  • Get significant monthly discounts
  • Simplify bill management with a single account

Contract terms and cancellation options

Contract lengths

Most Canadian carriers offer:

  • No-contract plans (month-to-month) especially for BYOD
  • 24-month contracts with financing when purchasing a new device
  • 15-day trial period for all new contracts (30 days for people with disabilities)

Early termination fees

The Wireless Code sets limits on early termination fees:

  • Maximum of $50 for plans without a subsidized phone
  • 10% of the monthly fee for each remaining month (maximum 24 months)
  • After 2 years, any contract can be terminated without penalty
  • The residual value of the device must be paid upon early termination of a contract with a financed phone.

Strategies for avoiding penalties

To minimize risks, we recommend:

  • Choosing no-contract plans, especially at first
  • Purchasing a phone separately to avoid financing commitments
  • Using a 15-day trial period to test the service

Additional features and services

Standard features

Most modern plans include:

  • Unlimited calls across Canada
  • Unlimited text messages (SMS/MMS)
  • Caller ID and voicemail
  • Spam call protection
  • Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

Premium features

Some higher-tier plans may include:

  • Streaming services (Crave Basic, Sportsnet+)
  • International roaming included in the plan
  • HD video streaming instead of standard SD
  • Priority network access during peak times

Practical tips for comparison

Calculating the real cost

When comparing plans, consider:

  • Base plan cost without discounts
  • Auto-pay discounts (usually $5–15)
  • Taxes (5% GST in Alberta)
  • Activation fees (one-time fee of $0–80)
  • Additional features or services

Usage analysis

Before choosing a plan, assess your needs:

  • Calls: most plans include unlimited calls within Canada
  • Text messages: virtually all plans have unlimited SMS
  • Data: check your current usage in your phone settings
  • International needs: estimate how often you make international calls and send international texts

Test the service

Take advantage of:

  • A 15-day trial period to test network quality
  • Online coverage maps to check coverage in your area
  • Customer reviews and carrier ratings

Comparison tools

Online comparison services

  • PlanHub.ca allows you to compare over 239 plans from different providers with prices starting at $5 per month. The service updates its information daily and offers a special section for newcomers.
  • Ratehub.ca provides a comparison tool where you can enter your needs in minutes, data, and phone requirements to find the best options.

Specialized services for newcomers

  • CanadianSIM offers special plans for newcomers with SIM card delivery to their country of origin before departure to Canada.
  • SimForCanada provides similar services with pre-activated SIM cards and plans designed for students and professionals moving to Canada.

Recommendations for Ukrainian newcomers

First steps

  • Start with a prepaid plan to avoid credit checks and long-term commitments
  • Choose one of the major carriers (Bell, TELUS, Rogers) or their subsidiary brands for better coverage
  • Consider a BYOD plan if your phone is compatible with Canadian networks

Long-term strategy

Once settled in Canada:

  • Switch to a postpaid plan for better prices and features
  • Consider a family plan when adding lines for family members
  • Pay your bills on time to build credit history

Special offers

Keep an eye out for special offers for Ukrainian communities. In 2022, Videotron offered six months of free mobile service for Ukrainian newcomers. While this specific program has ended, other carriers may offer similar initiatives.

Choosing the right plan can make adapting to life in Calgary much easier. By considering all of the factors outlined above and using the comparison tools available, newcomers can find a plan that best suits their needs and budget, ensuring they stay connected with family both in Canada and abroad.