Back in July, Rogers and Fido increased their connection fee to $80, up from $75. This connection fee is charged when you activate a new line or device that involves a human, but is typically waived if you shop online.
We questioned when rivals Telus and Bell would follow suit and as of today, we have an answer. Telus and Koodo have now matched Rogers, raising their connection fee from $70 to $80. Bell and Virgin Plus currently charge $75 (it went up from $70 in May), but you can expect them to match rivals soon.
Both the Telus and Koodo websites were updated today to indicate the new $80 connection fee, which is a 14% price increase compared to before. The last time Telus increased its connection fee was in August of 2024, so it was a delay longer than its rivals.
As of writing, while the Telus plans page still shows a $70 connection fee in the fine print, the company’s mobility fees page that we’ve been tracking now reads $80. The Koodo website also now shows the $80 connection fee right on the main page on the ticker at the top of the site.
For Canadians that are looking to activate a new line that involves a human (in-store or call centre), they’ll be paying this new $80 fee, which comes ahead of expected promos for Black Friday, the usual busiest time of the year for cellphone deals.
The only question remaining is when will Bell follow suit and match Telus and Rogers. Any bets on when the connection fee will hit $100?
We’ve reached out to Telus for comment on this price increase and will update this story accordingly.
Update Sept. 5, 2025, 11:17am PT: A Telus spokesperson told iPhone in Canada the following statement when asked about this price increase:
A connection fee is a one-time charge for the support provided to process a new customer activation or renewal, such as phone number porting or selection, device set-up, demo, and other assistance for those customers who choose to engage directly with a TELUS or Koodo team member. New and existing customers who activate or renew online through our website or MyTELUS or Koodo Self Serve are not charged this fee. We are committed to offering increased value and competitive pricing for our customers which includes providing flexible options that meet their needs. For more information, visit telus.com and koodomobile.com.
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A double increase this year, and there is still time left in the year for another one, which will not surprise me!
For a couple of taps on a keyboard to activate – the gouging continues.
And its like they're willing people to not use their services – though, in fact, the moment you challenge it chances are pretty good the rep fill find a 'special' reason or 'goodwill gesture' not to levy it…
These fees should be illegal