Public Mobile, a Telus-owned telecommunications provider, recently made a significant change to its offerings by transitioning all plans from 3G to 4G. This move mirrors a similar shift made by Lucky Mobile, which is owned by Bell.
As part of this transition, Public Mobile discontinued its $15 low-cost plan that included 250MB of data. While the data allowance was removed, customers now benefit from unlimited Canada-wide minutes and international messaging.
However, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has raised concerns about Public Mobile’s decision to eliminate the 250MB data allocation. In 2021, the CRTC mandated that wireless carriers offer low-cost plans priced at $15 per month with a minimum of 100 minutes and 250MB of data.
When comparing Public Mobile to its competitors such as Lucky Mobile and Chatr (Rogers), it is evident that they still provide 250MB of data for their $15 low-cost plans after enrolling in auto-pay.
On the other hand, Telus-owned Koodo continues to offer a $15 plan with 250MB of data on the 3G network, along with 100 Canada-wide minutes and unlimited incoming minutes.
The CRTC emphasized the importance of ensuring Canadians have access to affordable wireless services for their mobile devices. It called on major providers like Bell, Rogers, Telus, and SaskTel to offer and promote low-cost and occasional-use plans by a specific deadline.
We have contacted Telus for further clarification on these changes but have not received a response yet. Stay tuned for updates on this matter as it unfolds.Phones Canada remains committed to providing our customers with transparent information about industry developments and how they may impact your mobile experience.
