Telus vs Rogers
Telus, Rogers and Bell are the most popular telecom providers in Canada by a landslide. With decades of history, insanely fast speeds and unbeatable coverage, we understand why millions of Canadians have chosen one of the “big three” as their service provider. Since these three companies have dominated the market for so long, consumers tend to lump them into the same category. Although they share some similarities, there are many key differences which separate these three companies from each other. If you want to learn more about what makes these companies unique, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll go over all the most important distinctions between Telus and Rogers. First up, let’s take a look at Telus vs Rogers’ coverage.
Coverage
A provider’s coverage is one of the most important factors to consider. Depending on your location, a provider’s coverage can allow you to stay connected to your family and loved ones. Although Telus and Rogers offer some of the widest coverage in the country, there are important differences between them.
Alongside Bell, Telus offers the widest coverage in the country. Their network supposedly reaches 99% of the Canadian population. On the other hand, Rogers’ network is only expected to reach 97% of Canadians. Rogers’ network is more accessible in city settings, while Telus can reach more rural and remote locations. Despite this, Rogers is expected to offer the best 5G experience out of all Canadian providers. If extensive coverage is more important to you, Telus is probably more up your alley. However, if you value a strong 5G performance above anything else, then Rogers must be your winner. To learn more about each provider’s availability, feel free 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.
Rogers has a long history of serving the Canadian population. Founded in 1925, the Rogers family made significant contributions to radio and television technology in Canada. As the population began to notice their brilliance, they were rewarded with more and more licenses, allowing customers to use their technology on a national scale. Almost a century later, Rogers acts as one of the country’s most important providers. With every telecom service under their belt, Rogers Canada keeps the population in touch with the world every day. Aside from Bell, no other provider can hold a candle to Roger’s experience in the telecommunications industry.
Mobile Plans
Most Canadians know Telus and Rogers for their large number of consumer-friendly plans. The big three offer some of the fastest mobile plans at prices that customers can enjoy. From basic entry-level plans to huge unlimited data plans, these two companies have some of the best selection around. Here are just some of their best mobile plans:
Of course, this is a short article, and we cannot cover every Telus vs Rogers mobile plan. Instead, consider this a small taste of what they offer. If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to check out our pages on the best Telus phone plans and the best Rogers phone plans
Cell Phone Plans
Customers in need of a new cell phone can always count on Telus and Rogers. Both providers offer great deals on all the latest flagship devices. No matter which manufacturer you prefer, you’ll be sure to find an affordable plan that you can appreciate. Telus and Rogers let you finance your phone over the course of two years, or pay for it all at once. This gives you a valuable sense of freedom when purchasing your device. Here are the newest cell phones that Telus and Rogers customers can buy right now:
- iPhone 13, Mini, Pro & Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- 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 want to save money when buying a brand new premium smartphone, you’re in luck. Both providers offer Certified Pre-Owned cell phones. These devices were previously owned, but restored to look good as new. If you don’t want to spend too much on a new flagship phone, buying a Certified Pre-Owned one is a great idea.
Reviews
With millions of customers across Canada, both companies have racked up loads of online reviews and ratings. Thankfully, the majority of Telus reviews are very positive, especially towards their 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. The most noticeable complaint against Telus is about their 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.
Rogers’ reviews are very similar to Telus. On one hand, customers praise the company’s ability to provide advanced mobility, internet and television services. However, they fall victim to the same critique as Telus. Many online users have criticized the customer service experience. Of course, nobody wants to spend an entire afternoon on hold, only to get disconnected and have to start over! Aside from this, Rogers reviews are very positive, and we can tell that their reputation was definitely earned. If you ever want to read up a bit more on customer experiences, feel free to read our page on Rogers reviews.
Pros and Cons
With the end of this article narrowly approaching, you could feel conflicted between these two legendary providers. Both Telus and Rogers could seem like perfect thoices, with only a few slight differences between them. In this section, we’ll introduce some pros and cons to help make your decision on the Telus vs Rogers debate. We want you to feel enthusiastic and excited about choosing a provider, not like you’re settling. With that in mind, check out our brief pros and cons 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 |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Cancellation fee of $50 plus your remaining bill |
Rogers Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers the best 5G experience | A lot of their plans require a contract |
| Shareable unlimited data plans go as high as 100GB | Customer service wait times could be long |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Not accessible in more remote locations |
Based on these lists, you should have a better understanding of the small details that separate Telus vs Rogers. If there’s something that seems highly attractive, you might want to consider a plan from them. Similarly, if one of their cons seems like a dealbreaker, maybe you should avoid moving forward from that provider. Either way, try your best to sign up with a carrier that matches your personal taste. We can help you find the perfect provider, but what you want out of a plan matters more than anything else!
FAQ
Do you still have some questions that haven’t been answered yet? In this final section, we try to address some frequently asked questions about the Telus vs Rogers debate:
Do Rogers mobile plans have more data than Telus?
For the most part, no. However, Rogers does offer an unlimited data plan of 100GB, while Telus’ largest unlimited data plan only includes 50GB. Aside from this, their data plans are highly similar.
Is Telus cheaper than Rogers?
Telus, Rogers and Bell’s prices are mostly identical for mobile plans. Any price difference between them is very slight and subject to change in the near future.
Are Telus and Rogers’ unlimited data plans really unlimited?
Yes and no. Unlimited data plans provide unlimited mobile data usage. However, they are capped at a high-speed limit. For example, if you have a 25GB unlimited plan, you can use as much data as you want for the month, but you will start to experience lower speeds once you go over 25GB.
Can I purchase phones and plans online?
Yes. Both Telus and Rogers customers can order devices and SIM cards to their homes. You are not required to go to a store or kiosk.
Do Telus and Rogers have 5G?
Yes, both networks have established 5G towers across Canada. However, you will need a cell phone capable of wielding 5G technology to enjoy its rapid speeds.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both Telus and Rogers are great choices for Canadians. With unbeatable coverage and prices, it’s no surprise that they continue to dominate the industry after all these years. After going through this article, we hope you have a better idea about which side of the Telus vs Rogers debate you side with. However, finding the right provider is only the first step.
You’ll also need to find the specific plan to get you started. We understand that this is usually considered to be a long and complicated task. However, we can help make it easier than ever.
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 some simple questions about your preferences. From there, our website will search the web and pull up a list of the best, most affordable mobile plans that match your preferences. Finally, all you need to do is choose one from the list that stands out to you. All that’s left to do is get started and enjoy your new phone plan!