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Best Cell Phone Service and Coverage of Carriers in British Columbia

Vikas (Vik) Palan
January 7, 2025

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Finding the best cell phone plan in British Columbia can be a challenge. With so many options and coverage areas to consider, it’s important to choose a plan that meets your needs and budget. In this guide, we will help you understand the best cell phone services and coverage options in British Columbia, including affordable plans and the most reliable carriers.

Best Overall Coverage in British Columbia

When it comes to mobile coverage in British Columbia, Telus stands out as the leader, owning the largest number of cell towers – almost four times more than the second-largest provider, Rogers. This makes Telus the clear choice for the best overall coverage in British Columbia, offering reliable service in both urban and rural areas.

Telus has also been rapidly expanding its 5G network across the province, covering major cities such as Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and Richmond, among others. In addition, Telus shares much of its network infrastructure with Bell in British Columbia, which further extends coverage, particularly in Northern B.C., ensuring excellent connectivity even in remote regions.

For those looking for cheaper options, Telus’ subsidiary brands, Koodo and Public Mobile, offer budget friendly plans while using the same robust Telus network. Public Mobile, for instance, provides an excellent $29/month plan that includes 20GB of data and 250 international minutes to selected countries.

Cheap Cell Phone Plans in British Columbia - BYOD

When you’re looking for a cheap cell phone plan in British Columbia, there are a few important things to consider. While affordability is key, the cheapest plan might not always be the best option. A budget-friendly plan may lack important features like data or minutes that you need every day. That’s why we’ve found some affordable plans that still give you everything you need to stay connected in British Columbia.

Popular providers like Public Mobile, Chatr, Freedom Mobile, and Koodo offer great options. If you want to keep your existing phone, most of these plans are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), which allows you to use your current phone on their network.

Here are some cheap plans to consider:

Freedom Mobile: $10 per month for 100 MB and 120 minutes of talk time.
Fido: $15 per month for 250 MB and 100 minutes of talk time.
Chatr: $15 per month for 500 MB and 100 minutes of talk time.

Using our search tool, you can find the perfect plan that fits your needs and budget. Simply enter your details and compare different options.

What Is the Best Cell Phone Plan in British Columbia? - BYOD

Choosing the best cell phone plan in British Columbia depends on several factors like your data usage, network reliability, and coverage. You should also think about whether you want coverage across all of Canada and the U.S. Some plans are great for streaming videos and gaming, while others are better for simple text and calling. It’s also important to read reviews from other users to see how well a plan works in different parts of the province.

Some great plans in British Columbia include:

Freedom Mobile: $35 per month for 50GB of data and unlimited Canada, US, Mexico.
Chatr: $29 per month for 20.5GB of data and unlimited talk and text.
Fido: $39 per month for 100GB of data and unlimited talk and text.

Cell Phone Coverage by Region in British Columbia

Different regions in British Columbia may have different levels of coverage, so it’s important to choose a plan based on where you live and travel most often.

Victoria and Vancouver Island

On Vancouver Island, the Big Three carriers (Bell, Rogers, and Telus) offer the best coverage, including 5G. Freedom Mobile has some coverage but is limited compared to the major networks.

Vancouver Coast

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, so you’ll get the best coverage here, including 5G service from Bell, Rogers, and Telus. Freedom Mobile also offers coverage but only in the more populated areas.

Thompson-Okanagan

Telus provides the best coverage in the Thompson-Okanagan region with 5G service in cities like Kelowna and Penticton. Rogers and Bell also have good coverage, but Freedom Mobile’s coverage is limited.

How to Get Better Coverage in Rural B.C.

Rural areas in British Columbia, especially in Northern B.C., may have spotty coverage. If you live in a remote area, you can consider using a cell phone coverage booster to improve the signal. Some areas may also offer Wi-Fi calling, which allows you to make calls over the internet instead of using the cell network.

5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which carrier has the best coverage in British Columbia?

Telus offers the best overall coverage in British Columbia, with wide coverage in both urban and rural areas. Bell and Rogers are also great choices for coverage.

2. What is the cheapest cell phone plan in British Columbia?

Public Mobile offers affordable plans starting at $29 per month for unlimited talk and text and 20GB of data. Other budget-friendly plans include those from Fido and Chatr.

3. Can I use my existing phone with a new plan in British Columbia?

Yes! Many carriers in British Columbia offer BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plans, allowing you to keep your phone while switching to a new carrier.

4. Does Freedom Mobile have good coverage in British Columbia?

Freedom Mobile has decent coverage in urban areas like Vancouver and Victoria but offers limited coverage in more rural areas compared to the Big Three carriers.

5. How can I check if a carrier has coverage in my area?

Before choosing a plan, you can check the carrier’s coverage map or use coverage tools on websites like WhistleOut to make sure the carrier offers service in your area.With the right information and coverage, you can find the best cell phone plan that fits both your budget and your needs in British Columbia.

Vikas (Vik) Palan

Vikas Palan is an editor at Stackup.ca, specializing in technology, telecommunications, and personal finance content. He ensures each article is well-researched, accurate, and optimized for readers and search engines, helping Stackup.ca become a trusted information source for Canadians.