Canada

Canada has many mobile network operators which, in turn, have many mobile networks and own or work with lots of mobile virtual network operators. So let’s try to figure this all out together. For starters, look at the frequency bands and standards used in Canada. They are:

• GSM850 (cell phone 850MHz band)

 

• CDMA (uses different cellular frequencies, mostly 800-900MHz)

 

• iDEN (mixed radio and cell phone service, works on discontiguous parts of GSM frequencies)

 

• HSPA+ (enhanced 3G technology with speed comparable to 4G LTE, mostly works on UMTS 2100MHz frequencies)

 

• LTE (4G technology, in Canada it uses 1700MHz frequency band)

 

• PCS (cell phone band, uses GSM1900MHz frequency)

 

• SMR (two-way radio and dispatch system, uses VHF 220MHz and UHF 700MHz, 800MHz and 900MHz)

 

• AWS (used for 3G and 4G connections, works on 1700MHz and 2100MHz bands)

Now let’s look at all mobile network operators, their brands, networks and virtual networks. We will start from the huge nationwide operators and end with small ones.

Rogers Wireless

This is a nationwide communications provider that provides GSM850, HSPA+, LTE, PCS and AWS services. Owns Fido Solutions and Chatr, and works with 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless, Brightroam, Cityfone, DCI Wireless, good2go Mobile Canada, KORE Wireless, Petro-Canada Mobility, Primus Canada, SearsConnect Wireless, SimplyConnect, Talk & Earn and Talk & Save.

Bell Mobility

This company provides such services as CDMA, HSPA+, LTE, PCS and AWS connections nationwide. It owns Northwestel, Solo Mobile and Virgin Mobile Canada. It works with CityWest, KMTS Mobility, NorthernTel Mobility, PC Mobile and Telebec Mobilite.

Telus Mobility

Another nationwide mobile communication services provider. It grants the most wide selection of services among all Canadian providers, allowing their customers to enjoy such services as CDMA, iDEN, HSPA+, LTE, PCS, SMR and AWS. In fact, they can give you access to all but GSM850 bands. This company owns Clearnet and Koodo Mobile, yet they don’t work with other mobile virtual network operators, but despite that they have almost 30% of the Canadian mobile communications market share.

SaskTel Mobility

This company provides their services in Saskatchewan. Those services are CDMA, HSPA+ and PCS.

MTS Mobility

This company works in Manitoba and provides such mobile communication services as CDMA, HSPA+ and PCS, the same as previous company.

Wind Mobile

This company grants its mobile services in such metropolitan areas as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, and in addition in such regions as Orleans in Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo Area, Abbotsford, Guelph, Niagara region and Barrie. They work with such mobile communication standards as GSM850, HSPA+, LTE, PCS and AWS.

Videotron Mobile

This mobile communication company provides GSM850, HSPA+, PCS and AWS services in Quebec.

Public Mobile

It operates as a metropolitan mobile phone service provider. This company grants you access to CDMA and PCS cell phone bands.

Other Mobile Networks

There are also many small mobile networks in Canada which give their customers access to different communication technologies:

• Airtel (iDEN and SMR)

 

• DMTS Mobility (GSM850 and PCS)

 

• ICE Wireless (GSM850 and PCS)

 

• Lynx Mobility (CDMA and PCS)

 

• Mobilicity (GSM, HSPA+, PCS and AWS)

 

• Sogetel Mobilite (CDMA, HSPA+ and PCS)

 

• TBayTel Mobility (CDMA, HSPA+ and PCS)

In addition to small mobile networks there is also a mobile virtual network operator that is not connected with large ones described above – Roam Mobility that works with T-Mobile USA.

Bottom Line

Most used Canadian mobile frequencies are 850MHz, 1900MHz and 1700MHz. They are used for GSM, CDMA, PCS, iDEN, HSPA+, LTE, SMR and AWS mobile communication standards. Canada has such major mobile network communication operators as Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility, which are nationwide mobile service providers. There are also many smaller companies on Canadian mobile network communications market, which provide their communication services in certain regions of Canada.