The best phone plan setup for newcomers to Canada
Why prepaid beats postpaid when you’re new to Canada
The big three carriers (Rogers, Bell, TELUS) typically run a credit check for postpaid plans — a problem when you landed last week and have no Canadian credit file. Prepaid flips that: you pay first, so nobody checks anything. Public Mobile is TELUS’s prepaid brand, which means you get the TELUS network’s coverage at a fraction of the postpaid price, with no contract to break if you move or switch later.
The trade-off to know upfront: Public Mobile is online-only. There are no stores and no phone support — you activate on their website and get help through chat tickets and a community forum. If you’re comfortable ordering things online, you’ll be fine. Our activation walkthrough covers every screen.
What it costs
Plans change near-monthly, but the shape stays the same: entry talk-and-text around $22, 4G data plans in the $24–30 range, and 5G plans from about $35 — see the current plan lineup. There are no activation fees for eSIM, and a physical SIM costs about $10 at Walmart or Amazon.
Skip the airport SIM kiosks and “tourist SIM” packages — they routinely charge double for less data. Fifteen minutes on Wi-Fi gets you a proper Canadian plan instead.
The newcomer checklist
- Before you fly: make sure your phone is unlocked (ask your current carrier). Phones bought in most countries work on Canadian networks, but check band compatibility for older or regional models.
- When you land: on Wi-Fi, go to Public Mobile’s site, run the compatibility check, and pick a plan. eSIM activates in minutes.
- At Step 4 (Payment): enter the referral code from this page in the “Referral Code” field — that’s the one-time $10 credit. It’s a separate field from “Promo code”, and the credit lands within 72 hours. Forgot it? It can still be added afterwards.
- After activation: grab your own referral code from My Account and share it with the friends and family who arrive after you — each one earns you $12/year in points, forever. New arrivals refer each other constantly; it’s the single best discount mechanic Public Mobile has. See what to do after you activate.
One warning
During signup you may see banners suggesting you “switch to Koodo” — that’s a different (postpaid) brand and referral codes do not work there. Stay on publicmobile.ca until your activation is complete. More on this and other snags in the fix guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a credit check or Canadian credit history for Public Mobile?
No. Public Mobile is prepaid — you pay at activation, so there is no credit check, no contract, and no deposit. That makes it one of the simplest options before you have any Canadian credit history.
Can I get a Canadian number before I arrive in Canada?
Activation happens online, and eSIM makes it practical to set up shortly after you land using airport or hotel Wi-Fi. If you prefer a physical SIM, you can buy one at Walmart or order on Amazon (~$10) once you're here.
Is the activation website available in my language?
Public Mobile's website and checkout are available in English and French only. Our step-by-step activation guide walks you through every screen, including exactly where the referral code goes at Step 4.
What do I need to activate?
An unlocked phone (check compatibility on Public Mobile's site), a payment method, and about 15 minutes. No ID or proof of address is required for prepaid activation.
How do newcomers save the most on Public Mobile?
Three stacking layers: the $10 referral credit at activation, Public Points on every payment afterwards (see our points guide), and referring friends and family once you have your own code — each active referral earns you 1 point (worth $1) every 30 days.
Is Public Mobile good for calling home?
Plans include Canada-wide calling; some higher 5G tiers include US calling. For international calls, most newcomers pair a cheap data plan with WhatsApp or similar apps rather than paying per-minute rates.