Last week we told you Telus-owned Public Mobile removed its 3G plans, shifting everything to 4G, marking a similar move like Bell-owned Lucky Mobile.
But part of the change saw the $15 low-cost plan from Public Mobile also axe its 250MB of data. While the data was removed, unlimited Canada-wide minutes and international messaging was added.
According to the CRTC, the removal of the 250MB data by Public Mobile appears to go against what is required for “low-cost plans”. Update: the CRTC guideline only applies to postpaid, not prepaid plans, so Public Mobile is in the right here.
The CRTC in 2021 demanded wireless carriers implement low-cost plans at $15/month with at least 100 minutes and 250MB of data. You can see the highlighted data in our screenshot below:
Comparing Public Mobile to Lucky Mobile and Chatr (Rogers), we see its rivals still have 250MB of data for its $15 low-cost plan after auto-pay:
Telus-owned Koodo is still offering a $15/250MB 3G plan with 100 Canada-wide minutes and unlimited incoming minutes.
“The CRTC wants Canadians to have better access to affordable wireless services for their cell phones and other mobile devices,” said the Commission at the time.
“We are therefore expecting Bell, Rogers, Telus and SaskTel to offer and promote low-cost and occasional-use plans. These providers are expected to offer the following by July 14, 2021,” says its website.
We reached out to Telus on the weekend seeking clarification but have yet to hear back. Stay tuned for updates.
Update April 30, 2024, 2:23pm PDT: Telus clarified that the CRTC rule on the 250MB applies to postpaid plans only, whereas Public Mobile is prepaid.
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You still might get a few people who still like to use their phone for talk and text been it’s unlimited, although it’s nice to have a little data.
In that case buy US (or UK) unlimited plan with data. Its actually cheaper. As a bonus you get no roaming when you go from Canada to US. Only Canada still pushing for higher prices. In US one can pay virtually pay $0 for just call and text. Just buy $5 sim card and free from there on. I rather have 3G in Canada and have a few GB data for mere $15 then 5G and have poor to no network right outside of Winnipeg. And still pay $50 for 5G that only works in the city. We are cold country having no network access during blizzard is dangerous. Having 5G is silly and expensive. Just stay home and use WiFi if you need that much speed. Not everyone is live streamer.
In that case buy US (or UK) unlimited plan with data. Its actually cheaper. As a bonus you get no roaming when you go from Canada to US. Only Canada still pushing for higher prices. In US one can pay virtually pay $0 for just call and text. Just buy $5 sim card and free from there on. I rather have 3G in Canada and have a few GB data for mere $15 then 5G and have poor to no network right outside of Winnipeg. And still pay $50 for 5G that only works in the city. We are cold country having no network access during blizzard is dangerous. Having 5G is silly and expensive. Just stay home and use WiFi if you need that much speed. Not everyone is live streamer.
I have the plan 100 min with virgin and they raised the plan a couple of months ago to $19 not sure why they aren’t following the rules.
Public Mobile (Telus) does not appear to be in compliance with the “Low-cost and occasional-use wireless service plans” guidelines. This service provider does not offer Prepaid occasional-use plans at Maximum $100/year. So consumers can only choose other providers.
All I hear is “loopholes, loopholes”.