Toronto
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that Canadian mobile plans are among the world's most expensive, with a typical 15GB monthly plan costing $40-65 CAD. Most newcomers to Toronto are surprised by these high prices, but you can find better value options like Fido's prepaid plans, which offer 15GB data for $35 per month. Watch out for international roaming charges, but know that major carriers like Rogers offer US add-ons, such as 'Roam Like Home' for $15/day. If you're a student, consider Fido's student plans with a 10% discount. To get started, visit a Fido store in North York or Etobicoke today to explore your options and sign up for a plan that suits your needs.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Scarborough · Experience date Apr 17, 2026
On Koodo on Telus network for $45/month with 30GB. Better customer service than Public Mobile if you ever have a problem. Buy in-store at a Koodo kiosk — online deals are the same price.
North York · Experience date Mar 7, 2026
Fido (Rogers MVNO) offers the best value prepaid plans for new Toronto arrivals. A 30-day plan with 15GB data costs $35–40 CAD. Buy at any Fido store, Best Buy, or London Drugs — widely available. Activation: show your passport, takes 10 minutes. Fido app: manage data, top up, check usage — works with foreign credit cards. Coverage: identical to Rogers (Canada's largest network). Recommended for: expats arriving without a Canadian credit history who need a prepaid plan. Once you have a Canadian credit history (6–12 months): switch to a postpaid plan for better value.
Etobicoke · Experience date Dec 27, 2025
Travelling outside Toronto in Ontario: Rogers has the best rural Ontario coverage overall (important for cottage country, Muskoka, Bruce Peninsula). Bell: excellent coverage on Highway 401 corridor and major cities (Ottawa, Kingston, London). Telus (and Koodo): uses Bell towers in Ontario — good urban, moderate rural. Public Mobile (Telus): same network but roaming on other towers limited in rural areas. For cottage country weekends north of Toronto: Rogers or Bell SIM recommended. Most Toronto expats discover this the first time they drive to Algonquin Park or Muskoka and lose signal — a Rogers or Bell SIM avoids this.
Scarborough · Experience date May 4, 2026
Major Canadian banks (TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC) use your Canadian mobile number for: 2-factor authentication on every login, transaction verification for large transfers, and security alerts. Without a Canadian number: you cannot use Canadian mobile banking apps securely. This makes your Canadian SIM inseparable from your Canadian financial life. Keep your Canadian number active even if you travel — banking security notifications will still be sent to it. If you change your Canadian number: update all banking apps immediately. Some expats returning home keep their Canadian number active on the cheapest plan (Public Mobile $15/month) just for banking access.
Etobicoke · Experience date Mar 20, 2026
Tested 4G/5G speeds across Toronto: Rogers averages 80–200 Mbps download in downtown, Midtown, and the Annex. Bell: comparable, sometimes slightly faster in Scarborough and Etobicoke. Telus: excellent in downtown core. Fido/Koodo/Virgin: identical speeds to parent networks. TTC subway: signal maintained at stations, lost in some tunnel sections (Rogers has the most extensive tunnel coverage). Speed drops: in large office towers with thick concrete (Bay Street financial district) and underground PATH network. For remote workers: any major carrier provides adequate speeds for video calls and cloud work throughout central Toronto.
Mississauga · Experience date Apr 9, 2026
Public Mobile (owned by Telus) is Canada's cheapest prepaid option. Plans from $15/month (500MB data) to $40/month (15GB). No stores — entirely online at publicmobile.ca. Buy a SIM at Best Buy or London Drugs (starter kit $10), then activate online. Points system rewards loyal customers — monthly bill decreases over time. Excellent for: budget-conscious expats, students, and those waiting for a Canadian credit score. Downside: no in-person support, app-only management. Coverage: Telus/Bell network — solid Toronto coverage. Public Mobile is genuinely one of the best deals in Canadian mobile, which is notorious for expensive plans globally.
Scarborough · Experience date Mar 29, 2026
Rogers, Bell, and Telus kiosks operate in the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) arrivals area. Airport SIM plans are typically $5–10 more per month than city prices. Acceptable for: getting connected immediately without hunting for a store in the city. For savings: take the UP Express or TTC from the airport to downtown, then buy a SIM at any Rogers/Bell/Fido store — same-day activation, better plan selection. Major malls (Eaton Centre, Yorkdale, Square One): all have multiple carrier stores. Best Buy and London Drugs: carry prepaid SIMs from all major networks in one location — the easiest comparison shopping.
Mississauga · Experience date Apr 10, 2026
A Canadian +1 number is required for: most Canadian banking (TD, RBC, BMO all use SMS verification), Canadian government services (CRA — Canada Revenue Agency), employer communication, apartment rental applications, and many Canadian apps and services. A Canadian number also signals reliability to landlords and employers reviewing your application. Get a prepaid Canadian SIM on your first day in Toronto — the +1 number is as important as the data. Tip: choose a number with a 416 (old Toronto area code) or 647 prefix — these are recognisably Toronto numbers. Some people prefer 437 (newest Toronto area code) — no practical difference.
Mississauga · Experience date Nov 12, 2025
5G is well-deployed in Toronto city core and inner neighbourhoods. Rogers, Bell, and Telus all have 5G coverage in downtown Toronto, Midtown, North York, and Scarborough. Coverage drops beyond the inner city and on TTC subway (4G in tunnels). 5G speeds: 200–600 Mbps in strong coverage areas. Your phone must be 5G-capable (iPhone 12+, Samsung S21+, Google Pixel 5+). Most Canadian plans now include 5G access — no need for a specific 5G plan upgrade. Practical benefit: noticeably faster speeds for large file downloads and video streaming; latency improvement for video calls. In most Toronto coffee shops: WiFi is still faster than mobile data.
Downtown · Experience date Jan 12, 2026
For US expats or visitors arriving in Toronto: your US carrier's Canada roaming plan likely applies. T-Mobile US: includes Canada and Mexico in all plans (unlimited calling and data). Verizon, AT&T: Canada day passes ($10/day). Google Fi: includes Canada in standard plan. If on a budget US carrier without Canada coverage: buy a Canadian prepaid SIM on arrival — much cheaper than international roaming rates. The US–Canada border is crossed by millions of people annually — carrier websites have up-to-date Canada roaming plan information. Reminder: Canadian and US phone systems share the +1 country code — calls between Canada and the US are domestic rates.