Public Mobile and Fizz are two of Canada's most data-generous prepaid-only carriers. Public Mobile is a Telus-owned sub-brand running on the Telus network, with nationwide 5G coverage and a straightforward lineup of eight plans — it is BYOD-only with no device sales or financing. Fizz is a Videotron-owned carrier that operates on two networks: the Videotron network and the Freedom Mobile network. Fizz sells phones directly on its website with Affirm financing available, giving it a path for customers who need a new device. This dual-network structure gives Fizz a large plan catalogue of 45 options, but coverage varies significantly by location — the Telus network behind Public Mobile provides broader national reach. Both carriers are fully self-serve with no phone or in-store support.
Plans and pricing
Public Mobile offers 8 prepaid no-contract plans from $22 to $50 per month, all with unlimited talk and text, stepping quickly into high-data 5G tiers with North American calling included. Fizz offers 45 prepaid no-contract plans from $10 to $53 per month across multiple provinces, with plans varying by region — the cards below show representative nationwide plans available outside Quebec. Fizz also has rollover data on all plans, a feature Public Mobile does not offer. Both carriers are prepaid with no contracts required.
The value gap between these carriers is significant at comparable price points. At $35 per month, Public Mobile offers 50GB on 5G (domestic, no roaming) — while Fizz offers 100GB on 5G on the Freedom network with no North American calling, or a 70GB 5G plan at $33; Fizz's entry 5G plan starts at $30 for 50GB. At $40, Public Mobile steps up to 70GB on 5G with CAN/US/Mex included, while Fizz offers 150GB on 5G at $45 without roaming, or 50GB CAN+USA 5G (no Mexico) for $32. At $45, Public Mobile provides 100GB with CAN/US/Mex; Fizz's closest match is 150GB 5G at $45 without roaming or 100GB CAN+USA 5G at $37. Fizz reaches considerably lower on the price ladder, starting at $10 per month for pay-as-you-go and $11 for the QC PAYG plan — and its rollover data feature means unused data carries forward each cycle, a benefit Public Mobile does not match. Fizz also has a distinct QC-specific plan set on the Videotron network, including a 40GB CAN+USA 5G plan for $38. Public Mobile's entry plan is $22 per month for 1GB with unlimited talk and text.
5G and network coverage
Coverage data is based on registered tower locations from the ISED tower registry and Statistics Canada 2021 census boundaries, updated March 2026. Public Mobile runs on the Telus network, which provides near-universal national 4G reach and strong 5G penetration across Canada. Fizz operates on two networks: the Videotron network and the Freedom network, with different coverage footprints for each. Outside major urban centres served by the Freedom network, Fizz customers may see significantly narrower coverage than Public Mobile on Telus — customers in rural areas or regions with limited Freedom coverage should verify before switching.
Public Mobile on Telus holds a clear national coverage advantage, reaching 93.0% of Canadians on 4G and 76.3% on 5G with 16,007 towers and 6,863 dedicated 5G sites. Fizz operates across two networks: the Videotron network reaches 65.9% of Canadians on 4G and 65.6% on 5G, while the Freedom network reaches 54.4% on 4G and 48.0% on 5G. Across both networks combined, Fizz has 2,049 dedicated 5G towers. Customers should verify which Fizz network serves their area and confirm coverage before switching, as the Freedom network is concentrated in major urban centres with more limited rural reach.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $22/mo (1GB 4G) | $10/mo (AB/BC/ON PAYG) / $11/mo (QC PAYG) |
| Plan type | Prepaid only | Prepaid only |
| Plan count | 8 | 45 |
| Talk & text only plan | $22/mo (1GB 4G) | $18/mo AB,BC,ON / $21/mo MB / $22/mo QC (unlimited, no data · rollover) |
| Cheapest 5G plan | $35/mo (50GB domestic, no CAN/US/Mex) | $30/mo (50GB, AB/BC/ON) / $32/mo (15GB QC) |
| Data at $30/mo | No plan at this price | 50GB 5G (AB/BC/ON, no CAN/US) |
| Data at $33/mo | No plan at this price | 70GB 5G (AB/BC/ON, no CAN/US) |
| Data at $35/mo | 50GB 5G (domestic, no CAN/US/Mex) | 100GB 5G (AB/BC/ON) or 70GB CAN+USA 5G (AB/BC/ON) or 40GB 4G / 15GB CAN+USA 5G (QC) |
| Data at $40/mo | 70GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex | No plan at this price |
| Data at $45/mo | 100GB 5G + CAN/US/Mex | 150GB 5G (AB/BC/ON, no CAN/US) or 100GB 5G (QC, no CAN/US) |
| Canada-US-Mexico included | From $40/mo (70GB 5G) | From $32/mo (50GB CAN+USA 5G, AB/BC/ON, no Mexico) |
| Canada-US included (QC) | N/A | From $38/mo (40GB, QC 5G) |
| Rollover data | No | Yes - all plans |
| Rewards program | 2% back in Public Points | Fizz My Rewards (perks, free data days) |
| Data gifting | No | Yes - members can gift data |
| International messages | Included on all plans | Included on Canada + USA plans |
| International minutes (5G plans) | 1,000 intl mins included | Not included |
| 4G population coverage (national) | 93.0% (34.4M) - Telus | 65.9% Videotron network / 54.4% Freedom network |
| 5G population coverage (national) | 76.3% (28.2M) - Telus | 65.6% Videotron network / 48.0% Freedom network |
| Coverage - Videotron network | Good (Telus) | 65.9% 4G / 65.6% 5G nationally |
| Coverage - Freedom network | Nationwide (Telus) | 54.4% 4G / 48.0% 5G nationally · urban BC, AB, ON focus |
| Device financing | No - BYOD only | Yes - phones sold on fizz.ca, Affirm financing 12-36 months |
| Price lock guarantee | No | No |
| US roaming - daily add-on | No daily rate | $5 / 1GB · $8 / 2GB · $15 / 5GB data add-ons |
| US roaming - talk add-on | $15 (unlimited talk & text) | $3 / 60 min · $5 / 200 texts |
| US roaming - 15-day pass | $30 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No pass available |
| US roaming - 30-day pass | $40 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No pass available |
| International roaming (Europe, Asia, etc.) | No pass available | Per-GB add-ons for France, UK, China, Mexico, others |
| Roaming add-on validity | Pass-based | Until end of next payment cycle |
| In-store support | No | No |
| Phone support | No | No |
| Customer rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Roaming rates compared
Both carriers take an add-on approach to roaming rather than offering large all-inclusive passes, but their structures differ meaningfully. Public Mobile offers fixed-price US bundles covering talk, text, and data together for 15 or 30-day periods, making it straightforward for US travel. Fizz takes a granular per-GB and per-minute approach for both the US and a wider range of international destinations including France, UK, China, Mexico, and others accessible at fizz.ca/en/travel. All Fizz roaming add-ons are valid until the end of your next payment cycle. Public Mobile has no international roaming options beyond its US bundles.
United States
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Data add-on - 1GB | No per-GB option | $5.00 |
| Data add-on - 2GB | No per-GB option | $8.00 |
| Data add-on - 5GB | No per-GB option | $15.00 |
| Talk add-on - 60 min | No per-minute option | $3.00 |
| Text add-on - 200 texts | No text add-on | $5.00 |
| Talk & text bundle | $15 (unlimited talk & text) | No bundle |
| 15-day data pass | $30 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No 15-day pass |
| 30-day data pass | $40 (unlimited talk, text & 5GB data) | No 30-day pass |
France
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Data add-on - 1GB | No pass available | $4.00 |
| Data add-on - 2GB | No pass available | $6.00 |
| Data add-on - 5GB | No pass available | $13.00 |
| Data add-on - 10GB | No pass available | $25.00 |
United Kingdom
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Data add-on - 1GB | No pass available | $6.00 |
| Data add-on - 2GB | No pass available | $10.00 |
| Data add-on - 5GB | No pass available | $20.00 |
China
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Data add-on - 1GB | No pass available | $6.00 |
| Data add-on - 2GB | No pass available | $10.00 |
| Data add-on - 5GB | No pass available | $20.00 |
Mexico
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| Data add-on - 1GB | No pass available | $4.00 |
| Data add-on - 2GB | No pass available | $6.00 |
| Data add-on - 5GB | No pass available | $13.00 |
| Data add-on - 10GB | No pass available | $25.00 |
Other international destinations
| Option | Public Mobile | Fizz |
|---|---|---|
| International data add-ons | No pass available | Per-GB rates available - check fizz.ca/en/travel |
For US travel requiring extended stays with bundled data, Public Mobile wins with its fixed-price 15-day ($30) and 30-day ($40) passes covering unlimited talk, text, and 5GB data. For short trips to the US where you just need a small data top-up or a few minutes of talk, Fizz's granular add-ons ($3 for 60 min, $5 for 1GB) offer flexibility Public Mobile cannot match. For any destination outside the United States, Fizz is the only option of the two, offering per-GB data add-ons for France, UK, China, Mexico, and additional countries listed at fizz.ca/en/travel, all valid until the end of your next payment cycle. Public Mobile has no international roaming beyond its US bundles.
Device financing
Public Mobile does not sell phones or offer device financing — it is a BYOD-only service requiring customers to bring an unlocked or compatible device. Fizz sells phones directly on fizz.ca and offers financing through Affirm, with monthly installments spread across 12 to 36 months subject to eligibility and Affirm approval. The Affirm financing covers the device cost only and does not restrict plan choice, so customers can still change plans month to month independently of their device payments. Customers who prefer to purchase a new phone as part of switching have a clear path with Fizz that Public Mobile does not offer.
Perks and add-ons
Public Mobile offers 2% back in Public Points on most plans, redeemable for bill credits or plan upgrades. All plans include unlimited international messages. The 5G CAN/US/Mex plans (from $40/month) include Canada-US-Mexico calling and texting plus 1,000 international long-distance minutes at no additional cost; the 50GB 5G domestic plan at $35 does not include North American roaming. Account management is handled entirely through the self-serve portal or app.
Fizz includes data rollover on all plans, so unused data carries forward to your next cycle rather than expiring. Members can gift mobile data to each other through the Fizz platform. The My Rewards loyalty program offers perks including free data on your first day and ongoing rewards for plan tenure. Travel add-ons are available for the US and a range of international destinations and are valid until the end of your next payment cycle. Fizz operates on both the Videotron and Freedom networks, with coverage and plan availability varying by location.
Customer support
Both carriers operate identically structured support models: self-serve portal, chat, and a community forum, with no phone or in-store support available. Public Mobile and Fizz score equally on Topicks.ca at 4.5/5, reflecting that both carriers meet the expectations of self-serve customers who are comfortable managing their accounts entirely online.
Who should choose which?
- You want nationwide coverage across all provinces and territories on the Telus network, including rural areas and regions where Freedom Mobile has limited or no presence
- You want Canada-US-Mexico calling and data included from as low as $40/month (70GB 5G), scaling to 100GB at $45 and 150GB at $50 — all with 1,000 international long-distance minutes included
- You want 1,000 international long-distance minutes included on every CAN/US/Mex 5G plan at no extra cost
- You travel to the US for 15 or 30 days and want a bundled data pass that covers unlimited talk, text, and 5GB data at a fixed price
- You want international messages included on every plan, including entry-level plans with no data
- You already have an unlocked compatible device and do not need to purchase a phone as part of switching
- You want 2% back in Public Points on your monthly bill
- You want access to both the Videotron network and the Freedom network depending on your location, with a large plan selection across multiple provinces and rollover data on every plan
- You want rollover data so unused gigabytes carry forward to your next cycle rather than expiring
- You want significantly more data per dollar at mid tiers -- 50GB 5G for $30, 70GB 5G for $33, and 100GB 5G for $35 outside Quebec all undercut Public Mobile's entry 5G price of $35, and 150GB 5G is available for $45 when CAN/US is not required
- You travel internationally beyond the US and need data add-ons for France, UK, China, Mexico, or other destinations where Public Mobile has no coverage
- You want to gift mobile data to friends or family members who are also on Fizz
- You want to purchase a new phone with flexible Affirm financing (12 to 36 months) directly through fizz.ca, without needing to source a device separately
- You only need a pay-as-you-go plan starting at $10/month in AB/BC/ON or $11/month in Quebec with no monthly data commitment
- You live in an area served by the Videotron or Freedom network and are satisfied with its coverage footprint
Public Mobile wins on nationwide coverage, included North American roaming, international minutes, and straightforward US travel bundles -- its Telus network reaches all 13 provinces and territories, and Canada-US-Mexico is built into its CAN/US/Mex 5G plans from $40/month (70GB) without purchasing add-ons. Fizz wins on raw data volume, rollover data, entry-level pricing, Quebec 5G dominance, and international destination flexibility, making it the better fit for Quebec residents, data-heavy users who do not need North American calling included, and travellers who need coverage in countries beyond the United States.
The deciding factors are your coverage situation on each network, whether you need North American roaming included or can purchase it as an add-on, and whether rollover data or included international minutes matters more to your usage pattern.
