Below you'll find our list of best rated providers - from the best (five stars) to the not so good (1 star). You can read our review on each prepaid cell phone provider and/or shop for the best deals from that provider.
Telus Mobility is among Rogers and Bell as the only major network operators in Canada. Like Sprint Nextel in the U.S., it operates on both CDMA and iDEN networks, focusing on the iDEN for business and the CDMA for personal uses.
Launched in March of 2005, Virgin Mobile Canada has grown into the largest prepaid provider in the country. They are an MVNO of the Bell Mobility network. For two year running, Virgin Mobile Canada has received the J.D. Power & Associates award for Best In Customer Service.
Bell Mobility is one of the three national carriers in Canada, along with Rogers and Telus. They use CDMA technology. They're nearing the six-million subscriber mark, making them one of the largest in the country. Bell Mobility is a division of Bell Canada.
Fido, then Microcell Communications, was the first GSM network launched in Canada. They have since been bought by Rogers Wireless, the other competing GSM network.
MTS Mobility is a regional cellular operator covering the Manitoba area. Manitoba Telecom Service is the third largest telecommunications provider in Canada, though MTS Mobility is not the third largest cellular provider. They cover roughly 97 percent of Manitoba.
NorthernTel is a regional cellular provider covering the Ontario area. They were founded back in 1905. Their attraction is offering long distance calls at the same rate as local calls, uncommon in Canada at the end of 2007.
Petro-Canada Mobility is owned by Petro-Canada, one of the country's largest fuel providers. They operate on the Rogers GSM network and offer all of its coverage to subscribers.
Rogers is Canada's largest cellular network in terms of subscriber volume. They are the only major network in carrier in Canada that uses GSM technology, whereas competitors Telus and Bell use CDMA technology. They claim to be the only Canadian carrier with an independent coast-to-coast network spanning all Canadian regions excluding the Territories.
SaskTel is a regional wireless provider covering the Saskatchewan area. They have nearly 500,000 business and residential customers, spanning 13 cities, over 500 smaller communities, and over 40,000 farms. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation.
Cityfone is an MVNO of the Rogers/Fido GSM network. They boast to cover 93 percent of the Canadian population, and also have roaming agreements with carriers within the United States.
Ice Wireless is the first cell carrier in the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada. They provide service in Inuvik, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Dawson City and Watson Lake. They operate a GSM network.
