Compare BYOD Plans in Quebec
Getting a new cell phone plan doesn’t have to mean parting ways with your current phone. Buying the latest and greatest device isn’t always worth it, particularly when the phone you have now is in good working condition. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) plans allow you to change Quebec phone plans without having to fork over cash for a new phone.
Carriers Offering BYOD Quebec Phone Plans
There are plenty of carriers that offer BYOD plans in Quebec, including:
Top-Tier Carriers
- Bell: Canada’s oldest carrier, Bell offers the best nationwide coverage along with TELUS.
- Rogers: A national carrier with a broad and reliable network.
- TELUS: The newest of Canada’s top-tier carriers, TELUS boasts the best coverage along with Bell.
These carriers are collectively known as the Big Three and have the largest presence in the telecommunications industry.
Regional Carriers
- Videotron: A regional carrier that competes with the top-tier carriers by branding itself as an affordable alternative. Videotron is the only carrier in Quebec to own a network outside of the Big Three. Note that it only offers postpaid plans.
Mid-Tier Carriers
- Fido: Owned by Rogers and uses their powerful network.
- Koodo Mobile: Owned by TELUS and runs on their robust network.
- Virgin Mobile: Owned by Bell and operates on their dependable network.
Whether you’re looking to buy a postpaid plan or a prepaid plan, bringing your own phone is a great way for any Quebecois to save time and money.
BYOD Postpaid Plans in Quebec
BYOD postpaid plans are cell phone plans that you pay for at the end of each month. Postpaid contracts typically last for two years, which means that you won’t have to renew it every 30 days as you would a prepaid plan.
Since these plans usually include more talk, text, and data than their prepaid counterparts, postpaid plans are generally more expensive. That said, BYOD postpaid plans in Quebec are cheaper than smartphone postpaid plans, which include both the cost of the plan and the device.
A benefit to postpaid plans is that they have a lot more add-ons available than prepaid plans do, which makes them more customizable. BYOD postpaid plans are perfect for people who want to get the most use out of their phones, from streaming videos and music to using apps and social media—all while saving hundreds of dollars per year simply by keeping their current phone.
Pros | Cons |
More talk, text, and data than prepaid plans | Credit check required |
Usually more affordable than smartphone postpaid plans | Locked into a two-year contract |
Wide selection of add-ons available | Typically more expensive than prepaid plans |
Postpaid Plans: Bell, Rogers, and TELUS Compared
BYOD postpaid plans offered by the Big Three in Quebec usually include unlimited talk and text, and anywhere from 10GB to 50GB of data. Since plans from Bell, Rogers, and TELUS offer a lot more data than plans from other carriers, they are generally more expensive than plans from mid-tier or regional carriers. If you live in Quebec and know that you need more than 10GB of data each month, you may want to consider opting into a BYOD postpaid plan by one of these carriers.
Popular Quebec Postpaid Plans From Top-Tier Carriers
Postpaid Plans: Videotron
All of Videotron’s BYOD postpaid plans in Quebec come with unlimited talk and text—regardless of whether it’s a Basic Plan, a Zen Plan, or a Canada-US Without Borders Plan. Unlike Bell, Rogers, and TELUS, which offer plans with large jumps in data and price, Videotron’s data allowances range anywhere from 0GB to 12GB, with plenty of plan options in between. This allows you to select the exact plan that works for you, instead of having to pay for data you may or may not use. However, if you’re looking for a plan with over 12GB, you will want to go with a top-tier carrier as they are the only ones that have plans available with such large data allotments.
Since Videotron has such a wide selection of plans, this carrier is a good choice for people who want the unlimited perks of being with a top-tier carrier without paying a premium price. Currently, Videotron has about 12 BYOD postpaid plans available
Popular Postpaid Plans from Videotron
Postpaid Plans: Fido, Koodo Mobile, and Virgin Mobile
Fido, Koodo Mobile, and Virgin Mobile offer some of the cheapest and most versatile BYOD postpaid plans in Quebec. While most plans include unlimited talk and text, there are bring your own phone plans that begin at zero or pay-per-use minutes that cost far less. Data can range from 0GB to 10GB depending on the plan you choose, with a variety of options available in between. These mid-tier carriers also offer the widest selection of plans.
Mid-tier carriers are the best option for people who:
- Are after cheaper plans
- Won’t use more than 10GB of data
- Want a carrier with a reliable network
Popular BYOD Postpaid Plans From Mid-Tier Carriers
BYOD Prepaid Plans in Quebec
The main difference between postpaid and prepaid BYOD plans are that you pay for prepaid plans at the beginning of every month (vs at the end). You’ll also need to renew it monthly, whereas postpaid plans are ongoing. Some carriers offer auto-renewal so you don’t find yourself without service if you forget to renew one month.
A benefit to prepaid plans is that since you’re not locked into a contract, you’re free to change your plan or carrier at any time. Not to mention, you don’t need a credit check, making it easy to opt into a Quebec prepaid plan even if you have poor credit.
BYOD prepaid plans usually offer less talk, text, and data than postpaid plans. As such, they tend to be cheaper than BYOD postpaid plans, and since you’re bringing your own phone, you’ll save even more money than you would on a smartphone prepaid plan. While you can always add more minutes, messages, and data, you’ll have to purchase them separately with add-ons.
Pros | Cons |
Free to change plan or provider at anytime | Generally offer less talk, text, and data |
Usually more affordable than postpaid plans | Additional talk, text, and data will require add-ons, which cost more |
No credit check required | Include less talk, text, and data than postpaid plans |
Save money by keeping your device |
Prepaid: Bell, Rogers, and TELUS Compared
The Big Three offer a fair selection of BYOD prepaid plans in Quebec. The cheapest of these plans is offered by Bell, and starts at 15 minutes of talk and pay-per-use text. While it might not include a lot, its low price makes it a great choice for people who only need their phones in case of emergency, such as young children or elderly customers.
Plans by Rogers and TELUS begin at 50 minutes of talk and text—so while they’re a bit more expensive, they’re also more balanced in that you can use your allotted minutes and messages however you please. None of these top-tier carriers currently offers a BYOD prepaid plan with more than 3GB, which is important to consider if you spend a lot of time streaming music or videos, gaming, or using social media.
Popular BYOD Prepaid Plans From Top-Tier Carriers
Prepaid: Fido, Koodo Mobile, and Virgin Mobile
Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Mobile offer the most versatility, with the widest selection of BYOD prepaid options. Talk options usually range from no calls to unlimited, while texting is always unlimited on prepaid BYOD plans from Koodo Mobile and Virgin Mobile. Fido’s messages begin at pay-per-use and go to unlimited.
While top-tier carriers in Quebec set their maximum amount of data on a BYOD prepaid plan at 3GB, carriers like Koodo Mobile and Virgin Mobile offer up to 10GB. Of course, there are also plans that include smaller amounts of data for less money than top-tier carriers.
Mid-tier BYOD prepaid plans are excellent for customers who:
- Use more data than most prepaid users but don’t want to commit to a two-year contract
- Don’t want to have to choose between price, features, and coverage
Popular BYOD Prepaid Plans From Mid-Tier Carriers
Coverage in Quebec
Coverage in Quebec isn’t very widespread, but don’t worry—since Quebec is so sparse, it only needs to reach to the areas where people live. Coverage from all carriers stretches along the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec City. Other populated locations outside of that area, like Val D’Or and Saguenay, also receive solid coverage.
Attention, Quebecois!
Carrier | Geographic Area Covered |
Bell | 12.05% |
Rogers | 7.50% |
TELUS | 12.05% |
Videotron | 5.99% |
Fido | 7.50% |
Koodo Mobile | 12.05% |
Virgin Mobile | 12.05% |