Cellular providers
There are many national and regional providers of cellular products and services across Canada. With so many options available it can be a little daunting to choose the best one for you. Be sure to ask those around you for their opinions about the cellular products and services they use. If you want to purchase a cellphone outright, first make sure that it will work with your service provider’s network. Be sure to provide your student identification from your education institution to be eligible for student discounts on cellular services!
You can browse online for cellphones and smartphones that are available in Canada, or for the best cellular plan to meet your needs, by clicking here for an independent comparison of cellular products and services.
Here are a few facts and figures about cellular usage in Canada from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA):
- “Canada’s wireless carriers now offer coverage to more than 99% of Canadians
- Advanced wireless networks that support handsets such as smartphones and Internet sticks are available to 99% of Canadians
- Canadian wireless phone subscribers number over 27 million
- There are currently more than two dozen wireless service providers in Canada, including national carriers and their subsidiaries, regional carriers, urban-centric providers, and numerous high-profile resellers:
Bell, Chatr Wireless, Cityfone, CityWest, EastLink, Fido, Ice Wireless, KMTS Mobility, Koodo Mobile, Lynx Mobility, MTS, Mobilicity, NorthernTel, PC Mobile, Petro Canada Mobility, Primus, Public Mobile, Rogers Wireless, SaskTel, Sears Connect, Sogetel, TBayTel, Telebec, TELUS, Videotron, Virgin Mobile, Wightman Telecom, Wind Mobile and 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless - Half of all phone connections in Canada are now wireless
- 75% of Canadian households have access to a wireless phone
- Canadians send more than 270 million text messages per day
- More than half of all calls to 9-1-1 come from mobile phones
- Wireless revenues in Canada totalled $19.1 billion in 2011
- Wireless market sector revenues are the largest component (45%) of total telecommunications revenues”
Internet providers
As a student in Canada you will use the Internet for so much more than emailing and research; the Internet has become an integral part of Canadian life. Universities and colleges utilize learning management systems (i.e., WebCT, Blackboard etc.) so you can stay informed about the classes in your program, communicate with your peers and professors, and more. You will also be given a school email account.
Do not dismay if you do not have a computer or laptop in your home; campuses offer computer access to their students. Be sure to check the hours of operation for the computer labs on your campus, hours are often extended during peak work times. Most campuses have wireless infrastructure in place so you may connect with your laptop or smartphone. Be sure to follow your institution’s Internet usage policies!
For installation of home Internet service you can contact your local telephone company or ask your friends about local Internet providers that they use. Canada’s major Internet service providers include: Bell, Rogers, and Telus. There will be a monthly fee for Internet service and there may be an installation, or set-up fee to start. Be sure to provide your student identification from your education institution to be eligible for student discounts on internet services!
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has this to say about the Internet in Canada:
- “Canada has one of the highest Internet penetration rates in the world
- Canadians spend more time online than anybody else in the world – an average of 45 hours per month
- The .CA top-level domain is considered by McAfee to be one of the safest in the world
- Thanks to the country’s investment in video-enabling broadband technology…Canadians watched more video online in 2011 than anyone, averaging 300 views per month”