Telus vs Bell
Telus, Bell and Rogers have served as Canada’s largest telecom corporations for decades. With unrivalled experience, prices and coverage, it’s no surprise why millions of customers choose them for a number of services. Due to their monopoly over the industry, customers often assume that there is no difference between the three providers. Although the three companies are similar, they are also very distinct. This post will focus on Telus vs Bell and the numerous differences between them. If you want to learn about differences between other major providers, check out our post on Bell vs Rogers or Telus vs Rogers. With no further delay, let’s jump right in and explore the key differences between Telus and Bell and their mobile plans.
Coverage
First up, how do Telus and Bell differ in terms of coverage? A provider’s coverage is a highly important factor that impacts how many customers it can reach. Depending on a provider’s coverage and availability, it could radically impact your decision. Although these two companies offer some of the most extensive coverage in Canada, there is an important difference.
Telus and Bell actually share cell phone towers, so their coverage is identical. Their cell phone towers supposedly reach 99% of Canadians, even in remote locations. The key difference between their coverage is their mobile data technology. Since each company uses different tech, customers may experience different mobile data speeds. Telus is expected to perform slightly faster than Bell, while their 5G performances are identical. To learn more about Telus, Bell and other providers’ coverage, make sure to check out our national coverage map.
History
Telus is the newest “big three” provider. Founded in 1990, Telus was formed as a privatization of the crown corporation known as Alberta Government Telephones (AGT). By 1995, it absorbed Edmonton’s main telephone provider (EdTel) and became the sole provider in Edmonton. Finally, in 1996, Telus replaced both AGT and EdTel and went public as a consumer brand. After moving its headquarters to Vancouver in 1999, Telus quickly took the country by storm. Recently, Telus has invested millions of dollars towards connecting British Columbia and the rest of the country to their advanced fibre optic network. Although their history isn’t as long and detailed as Bell or Rogers, Telus Canada has been a dedicated provider since the beginning, and continues to be one to this day.
Bell has a longer history that dates back to the late 1800s. Following the invention of the first analog communication device, Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the Bell telephone in 1876. In 1877, he gave 75% of these rights to his father in order to establish a telephone company in Canada. Over the next 200 years, Canada’s Bell company has kept the country in touch. Whenever a new technology comes around, Bell is always ahead of the curve. As one of the largest companies in Canada, they currently provide the country with some of the most advanced mobility, internet and television services in the world. Overall, Bell Canada can assist you with any telecom service you need. With a story that cannot be beat, everything Bell does is history in the making!
Mobile Plans
More than anything else, you’re probably curious about the different mobile plans you can purchase from Telus and Bell. With some of the fastest and most affordable plans on the market, both providers are highly attractive to users across Canada. To learn more about Telus vs Bell mobile plans, check out a few of the best plans from each provider below:
Of course, there are plenty more phone plans from each provider, but we only had time to introduce three from each! If any of these piqued your interest or you want to learn more, make sure to read through our page on the best Telus phone plans, or the best Bell phone plans.
Cell Phone Plans
In need of a new cell phone? Both Telus and Bell can help you out. Each provider is equipped with all the latest flagship devices from the most beloved brands around. Customers can choose to finance a phone, or pay for it outright and own it. Let’s put the Telus vs Bell debate aside for a moment and take a look at the latest cell phones being offered by both companies:
- iPhone 13, Mini, Pro & Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE
- Samsung Galaxy S22, + & Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
- Google Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
If you’d rather save money, each provider also offers a few older devices which won’t cost you as much as the flagship devices. Additionally, you could also purchase Certified Pre-Owned cell phones from Telus. These phones are used by previous customers, but refurbished to look good as new and available at a lower price! While Telus and Rogers both offer pre-owned services, Bell does not as of writing this post (April 2022).
Reviews
With millions of customers, both companies have garnered tons of online reviews and ratings. The majority of Telus reviews praise the company’s mobile services. According to their customers, Telus offers some of the most attractive prices. In addition, customers seem to be very happy with their mobile data and 5G speeds. Telus’ biggest complaint is in regards to customer service. Since they’re a large corporation, customers can end up waiting a long time to speak to a representative, which rarely takes place with smaller companies. For more details about how customers feel, check out our page on Telus reviews.
Bell’s reviews are very similar to Telus. Bell’s internet service appears to be more highly rated, with some of the best prices on fibre optic internet in the country. However, they fall victim to the same critique as Telus. Online users have complained about the customer service experience. Of course, nobody wants to spend an entire afternoon on hold, only to get rewired to another customer service agent! Regardless, Bell reviews are positive in general, aside from this small concern. If you ever want to read up a bit more on customer experiences, feel free to read our page on Bell reviews.
Pros and Cons
As we’re starting to reach the end of the article, you’re probably still on the fence about the whole Telus vs Bell debate. Since their differences seem subtle, it can feel difficult to make a decision and choose one of the two providers. To try and make things easier, we made a quick pros and cons list for each provider. After reading them, you should (hopefully) have a better idea of what makes each provider unique. Take a look at the lists below:
Telus Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | No “Shock Free” data to prevent overage fees |
| Customers can choose from a number of prepaid and traditional plans | Customer service wait times could be long |
| Certified pre-owned phones can save you money | Not many entry level plans → not ideal for light data users |
Bell Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Same coverage as Telus | Doesn’t sell pre-owned cell phones |
| Has some of the best unlimited data plans in the country | Customer service wait times could be long |
| Fibre internet plans are very fast and decently affordable | Not many entry level plans → not ideal for light data users |
Clearly, the major cons between Telus and Bell are quite similar. Interestingly enough, the most important differences are between the two company’s pros. Try to keep this in mind when you’re torn between two major Canadian companies. Instead of choosing your next provider based on what you dislike, focus on what you like the most. This way, you’ll be able to identify what’s most important to you, and get set up with a provider that can satisfy your taste.
FAQ
Still have a few questions that haven’t been answered? We’ll try our best to respond to them. In this final section, we’ll answer some common questions that customers have in regards to the Telus vs Bell debate:
Are Telus and Bell’s coverage the same?
Yes, both companies use the same phone lines which provide identical coverage nationwide. However, customers may notice a slight difference in mobile data speed between the two companies. Typically, Bell’s speeds are faster in the East since their headquarters are in Quebec, while Telus is quicker in the West since they’re based in Vancouver.
Is Telus cheaper than Bell?
Telus and Bell’s prices are almost identical, there are very small differences between them (if any).
Do Telus and Bell require a contract?
Many plans from each provider require contracts, but they also offer a number of prepaid plans which don’t require a contract or credit check.
Can I cancel my mobile plan with Bell and Telus?
You can cancel your plan with both providers whenever you wish. Bell customers won’t have to pay a cancellation fee, while Telus users will have to pay their remaining fee plus $50 if they cancel early.
What are the cheapest plans from Telus and Bell?
For both providers, their cheapest plans cost $30 per month for unlimited talk/text and 500MB of data.
Conclusion
Telus and Bell are two great options for Canadian customers. With competitive prices, rapid speeds and nationwide coverage, everyone can depend on Telus and Bell to get the job done. No matter what side of the Telus vs Bell debate you align with, you’re sure to find a great mobile plan that will make your life easier. Of course, finding the right provider is only the first step in your journey.
We understand how difficult and stressful finding the right mobile plan can be. Fortunately, we’re here to make it simpler than ever before.
After clicking this small green button, you’ll be redirected to our mobile plan searching tool. Here, you’ll be able to find your next phone plan in a few simple steps. First up, you’ll need to answer a few basic questions about your personal preferences. Afterwards, we’ll immediately present you with a list of the best, most affordable mobile plans that match your preferences. All that’s left for you to do is choose one that seems appealing to you, and get started. Finding your next plan can truly be as simple as that!
Join the Conversation
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Interested in the article because telus is adding 1.5% service charge on credit card payments starting in October. Since bell offers the same 50gb service they are about to receive a good many soon to be ex telus users….