Which network is behind your MVNO?

Smaller cell service providers, or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), are cropping up all over the place. While there are only 3 wholesale cell phone networks here in the Canada, there are now heaps of smaller suppliers.

So how does this work?

Essentially, all of the MVNOs buy service in bulk at wholesale prices, then resell that same service on to us. But because they have lower overheads, smaller advertising budgets and many don’t stock handsets, they can offer the same products as the big brand telcos, but at much cheaper rates.

If you own your own phone and want to save a bunch of money, you should check these guys out. But before you make any decisions on price alone, you’ll have to make sure that your phone will work with the MVNO of your choice. To make this easier, we’ve put together a list of suppliers based on which network they operate on.

Telus network MVNOs

Clearnet

Koodoo Mobile

Public Mobile

PC Mobile (PostPaid Only)

Rogers network MVNOs

7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless	Chatr	Cansel Connect	Cityfone	DCI Wireless
Fido	Good2Go Mobile	Petro Canada Mobility	Primus Canada	Zoomer Wireless

Bell network MVNOs

PC Mobile (PrePaid only)

MTS

Northerntel Mobility

Solo Mobile

Virgin Mobile

Have we missed anyone you'd like us to include? Let us know in the comments below and we'll update this article as soon as we can.

Our Ultimate Guide to Switching and Saving

Long 3-year phone plans are a thing of the past, and if you already own a phone, you can save a bunch of money each month with a BYO Phone (or SIM-Only) phone plan. Here are our best guides to get you started; everything you need to know about how these plans work, and some of the best plans broken down by which network provides them.

TIP: Because all the major Canadian networks use the same technologies, there is a good chance that your unlocked phone will work on all of the plans listed in these guides.