5G brings tremendously faster speeds than 4G so that you can access the internet quicker. Faster internet access improves a number of industries and lets you do things like download files more quickly and watch movies and play video games with virtually no delay.
5G Rollout in Canada
There are multiple 5G networks available for use right now that customers can purchase and use like they can 4G. Others are actively working to bring test networks to the country and prepare for a commercial mobile 5G launch. Telus, in June 2020, began rolling out the network in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto, and added additional cities thereafter. Rogers Communications is another. They began rolling out their first 5G network in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal in January 2020, added dozens of other locations by Fall 2020 and 10 more in early 2021, and finally launched the country’s first commercially available 5G standalone network in 2022—the current count is over 1,500 communities (here’s the map). The full benefits of the network can be taken advantage of with a 5G phone; see their phone offerings for your options. Customers with a Bell 5G phone can access 5G, too. Use Bell’s coverage map to see where in Vancouver, Manitoba, Ontario, etc., you can get 5G service. Expansion is ongoing. TeraGo is another 5G player. In early 2020, they began a 5G fixed wireless trial using equipment from Nokia. They said in early 2021 that their 5G FWA trials in the Greater Toronto Area advanced to allow speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps. Late 2020 saw Videotron light up its new network. They said it would start in Montreal before continuing elsewhere in Quebec. See 5G at Videotron for a coverage map. In April 2021, SaskTel announced a $55 million investment in Saskatchewan to launch 5G. In late 2021, they began deployment of their network to lay the foundation for the future of connectivity in the province. By the end of 2022, 5G covered approximately half of Saskatchewan’s population. In 2023, they’re investing over $100M into expanding coverage. Here’s the detailed map. Xplore (formerly called Xplornet), in September 2021, launched Canada’s first rural 5G standalone network with fixed wireless access. Service began in New Brunswick, and expanded to 250 additional communities throughout 2022. You can check 5G home availability by entering your address.
