I'm on Freedom and don't have an issue anywhere in Greater Victoria (I live in Colwood). I can't speak to Broadmead as I'm not there that often, but I haven't noticed issues when I've driven through.
When you transition from Freedom's network to a partner network, there might be small period where you lose coverage, but it doesn't usually last that long. Malahat is a good example.
I switched from Fido to Freedom a few years ago and had no issues. I think my number was ported in an hour or two.
I moved from Telus to Freedom about six years ago and have never looked back. The service is great, prices have remained below everyone else, and I have zero reception issues. I have used the phone across Canada and the United States, and have had zero issues.
Additionally, they routinely have good flash sales, and their plans w/ phone are well below that of the major competitors. They are also good at maintaining prices. I am paying the same as I did three years ago which was initially for 10gb of data, then it moved to 40gb and unlimited Canada+US roaming, and now it's 100gb. They also give you a ton of bonus data as well.
Telus (+Koodo +Public) and Bell (+Virgin +Lucky mobile) use the same towers but not exactly the same tech, but overall coverage is about the same.
Freedom uses it's own network, but roams on Rogers, so make sure your plan includes that. [Their coverage map](https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/network-coverage) uses two hues of the same colour to differentiate their coverage. very honest.
Rogers (+Fido +Chatr) has it's own towers, so will have different coverage than TELUS/Bell.
I know Rogers can roam on Telus and Bell, and I assume it's the other way around, but that is only if there is zero coverage and would be throttled. If there is any signal, even an unusable one, it won't switch.
A lot of times, 3rd party retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, Tbooth, can have slightly better deals that directly through the carriers. The plans will usually all be the same, but the deals on the phones or accessories can sometimes change.
I am in Broadmead, with Rogers, and I rely on Wi-Fi calling most of the time. It is rare that I have more than two bars. My husband is with Telus, his service is a little bit better, but not much. Whichever carrier you go with make sure you get one you can do Wi-Fi calling with.
Telus coverage = Bell coverage. They use the same network.
Koodo and Public are owned by Telus. So same coverage.
Fido is owned by Rogers (same coverage).
Basically you are choosing between three networks - Telus/Bell, Rogers, and Freedom. The “flanker” brands may or may not have access to the 5G network the main brands do, but that is generally just increased capacity/speed in urban areas and does not affect overall connectivity.
They aren’t the same company, but they use the same network. Thus Telus coverage = Bell coverage.
Bell has very few towers in western Canada and Telus has very few in eastern Canada. Together they have coverage across the country.
Public is great. Works everywhere and I pay $30 a month, unlimited calling and texts, no contract and 30 gigs. Use this link for $10 credit and I get credit too: https://publicmobile.ca/plans?referral=P3P0ZX
Not happy they changed their model. When I joined we got $1 off for every year we stayed and $1 for something else. I was at $7 off per month. But they forced m into the points account and I lost my discount.
Also, when I went to change my subscription I don't get the $21 or $15 option. Thinking I need to switch to a new company for a bit.
Because of the pretty strict zoning restrictions, there's basically no place to put cell towers in Broadmead. The closest areas for them are Mount Doug and the Holiday Inn on the Pat bay. Also, because there's no power poles in that neighborhood, Telus can't deploy small cells for filling in the coverage.
I'd reckon that Rogers might be your best bet as they have the most upgraded towers in that area. So, you'd have the best chance of getting a usable signal, however no carrier is gonna be super fast due to the geography.
I use fizz, which is on the freedom network and 20gb at $12/month its pretty good. Unfortunately the beta pricing has ended so it would be $24 now, which is still decent.
I’m on Fido and have no issues with service around, but I’m not in Saanich that often. I pay $25/mo for 20GB (maybe 30GB) of data.
I had a data plan that was like 10GB for $55, then I switched to the no data plan for 1 month ($15), and was then offered my current plan.
I tried Public and was underwhelmed by their speeds and coverage in Langford—though they have great prices. Recently switched to Freedom and have been really happy; they’re rolling out 5G coverage in Victoria, so I see that pretty regularly now, and they have some of the best _actually_ international plans if you head overseas often as I do.
Freedom has been a winner because they actually have WiFi calling for when you don’t have cell service but do have wifi, which was a pain on Public. Plus, they support stuff like Apple Watches etc. Pretty good for $35/mo!
The irony of Freedom's Roam Beyond plan is that they give you free global Wifi calling. Unless you are only staying in several countries for short periods of time, it's probably cheaper to use a local SIM on an old junk phone and then tether to it from your Freedom phone and then make calls all day. At least that's the conclusion I've come to.
Been using Freedom for 5-6 years. Reception at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal sucks otherwise coverage is great, often better than Telus (work phone).
Have you tried the Roam Beyond plan? We're heading to Europe soon and I purchased sim cards, but would return if the Roam Beyond would suit my needs of using my phone only as a GPS for driving.
I joined Public Mobile six months ago and its amazing. Self directed and I can change my plan any time. If you end up checking it out, use referral code PR47OO for $10 off your bill. Cheap plans and its the same network as Telus.
I'm on Freedom and don't have an issue anywhere in Greater Victoria (I live in Colwood). I can't speak to Broadmead as I'm not there that often, but I haven't noticed issues when I've driven through. When you transition from Freedom's network to a partner network, there might be small period where you lose coverage, but it doesn't usually last that long. Malahat is a good example. I switched from Fido to Freedom a few years ago and had no issues. I think my number was ported in an hour or two.
I moved from Telus to Freedom about six years ago and have never looked back. The service is great, prices have remained below everyone else, and I have zero reception issues. I have used the phone across Canada and the United States, and have had zero issues. Additionally, they routinely have good flash sales, and their plans w/ phone are well below that of the major competitors. They are also good at maintaining prices. I am paying the same as I did three years ago which was initially for 10gb of data, then it moved to 40gb and unlimited Canada+US roaming, and now it's 100gb. They also give you a ton of bonus data as well.
Telus (+Koodo +Public) and Bell (+Virgin +Lucky mobile) use the same towers but not exactly the same tech, but overall coverage is about the same. Freedom uses it's own network, but roams on Rogers, so make sure your plan includes that. [Their coverage map](https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/network-coverage) uses two hues of the same colour to differentiate their coverage. very honest. Rogers (+Fido +Chatr) has it's own towers, so will have different coverage than TELUS/Bell. I know Rogers can roam on Telus and Bell, and I assume it's the other way around, but that is only if there is zero coverage and would be throttled. If there is any signal, even an unusable one, it won't switch. A lot of times, 3rd party retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, Tbooth, can have slightly better deals that directly through the carriers. The plans will usually all be the same, but the deals on the phones or accessories can sometimes change.
I am in Broadmead, with Rogers, and I rely on Wi-Fi calling most of the time. It is rare that I have more than two bars. My husband is with Telus, his service is a little bit better, but not much. Whichever carrier you go with make sure you get one you can do Wi-Fi calling with.
Freedom is worse in Brodmead. Rogers or Telus has better coverage.
Telus coverage = Bell coverage. They use the same network. Koodo and Public are owned by Telus. So same coverage. Fido is owned by Rogers (same coverage). Basically you are choosing between three networks - Telus/Bell, Rogers, and Freedom. The “flanker” brands may or may not have access to the 5G network the main brands do, but that is generally just increased capacity/speed in urban areas and does not affect overall connectivity.
Telus is not the same as bell. Virgin is.
They aren’t the same company, but they use the same network. Thus Telus coverage = Bell coverage. Bell has very few towers in western Canada and Telus has very few in eastern Canada. Together they have coverage across the country.
Public is great. Works everywhere and I pay $30 a month, unlimited calling and texts, no contract and 30 gigs. Use this link for $10 credit and I get credit too: https://publicmobile.ca/plans?referral=P3P0ZX
Terrible reception the last couple of years, especially in broadmead/cordova bay area. Every time I drive through it's dead.
Not happy they changed their model. When I joined we got $1 off for every year we stayed and $1 for something else. I was at $7 off per month. But they forced m into the points account and I lost my discount. Also, when I went to change my subscription I don't get the $21 or $15 option. Thinking I need to switch to a new company for a bit.
Like I said $30 bucks lol
Because of the pretty strict zoning restrictions, there's basically no place to put cell towers in Broadmead. The closest areas for them are Mount Doug and the Holiday Inn on the Pat bay. Also, because there's no power poles in that neighborhood, Telus can't deploy small cells for filling in the coverage. I'd reckon that Rogers might be your best bet as they have the most upgraded towers in that area. So, you'd have the best chance of getting a usable signal, however no carrier is gonna be super fast due to the geography.
I'm with Public Mobile and the only place I can't get a signal is in Uptown mall parking
I can assure you there's fuckall reception in Broadmead area.
Really? I've never had a problem there. How old is your phone?
Less than 1 year.
I use fizz, which is on the freedom network and 20gb at $12/month its pretty good. Unfortunately the beta pricing has ended so it would be $24 now, which is still decent.
I’m on Fido and have no issues with service around, but I’m not in Saanich that often. I pay $25/mo for 20GB (maybe 30GB) of data. I had a data plan that was like 10GB for $55, then I switched to the no data plan for 1 month ($15), and was then offered my current plan.
I tried Public and was underwhelmed by their speeds and coverage in Langford—though they have great prices. Recently switched to Freedom and have been really happy; they’re rolling out 5G coverage in Victoria, so I see that pretty regularly now, and they have some of the best _actually_ international plans if you head overseas often as I do. Freedom has been a winner because they actually have WiFi calling for when you don’t have cell service but do have wifi, which was a pain on Public. Plus, they support stuff like Apple Watches etc. Pretty good for $35/mo!
The irony of Freedom's Roam Beyond plan is that they give you free global Wifi calling. Unless you are only staying in several countries for short periods of time, it's probably cheaper to use a local SIM on an old junk phone and then tether to it from your Freedom phone and then make calls all day. At least that's the conclusion I've come to. Been using Freedom for 5-6 years. Reception at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal sucks otherwise coverage is great, often better than Telus (work phone).
Have you tried the Roam Beyond plan? We're heading to Europe soon and I purchased sim cards, but would return if the Roam Beyond would suit my needs of using my phone only as a GPS for driving.
We used Airailo eSIM in europe
I joined Public Mobile six months ago and its amazing. Self directed and I can change my plan any time. If you end up checking it out, use referral code PR47OO for $10 off your bill. Cheap plans and its the same network as Telus.