Freedom Mobile’s 5G+ Map Shows Major Kelowna Upgrades

Freedom Mobile users in the Okanagan are seeing a major boost this week as the carrier appears to have started rolling out its 5G+ network in Kelowna. While it seems like these went up in January, iPhone in Canada readers first spotted the change back in mid-December, where Saanich on Vancouver Island also started seeing 5G+.

Local residents first noticed the high-speed signal on Thursday, marking a key milestone in Freedom’s push to continue to challenge Rogers, Telus and Bell. Besides its own network, Freedom also has roaming agreements in place with incumbents. The upgrade utilizes the n77 spectrum band, which offers significantly faster data and lower latency than standard 5G.

To see the new 5G+ icon, users generally need a newer device like the iPhone 16 or Motorola Razr+. Other popular phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9, are expected to receive the necessary carrier updates soon to unlock these higher speeds.

“It is a solid win for the Okanagan,” one local user shared, noting that the added competition should force better service options for everyone in the region.

Looking at the 5G+ coverage map, the dark orange areas are concentrated in central Kelowna, including downtown, the Capri–Landmark corridor, Rutland, and along Highway 97. These denser, built-up parts of the city show the strongest Freedom Mobile 5G coverage, while lighter orange areas indicate weaker signal toward the outskirts and surrounding hills.

Freedom Mobile first launched in Kelowna back in 2019, part of its expansion in B.C. and Alberta at the time.