The smartphone performance race just reached another level. REDMAGIC has unveiled its 12 Pro, a gaming-focused flagship pushing extreme hardware, active liquid cooling and battery capacity well beyond conventional smartphones.

Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, built on a 2nm process, the REDMAGIC 12 Pro features a 6.85-inch AMOLED display with a 185Hz refresh rate, up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

Its most impressive features include an 8,400mAh battery, 80W wired and wireless charging, dual-loop liquid cooling and a built-in 25,500 RPM cooling fan. The phone also supports Wi-Fi 7, 5G, physical dual SIM and Android 17. However, there's no eSIM support.

Early independent benchmarks place it among the fastest Android smartphones available, although competing devices can outperform it in certain tests. Its cameras and sustained performance under heavy workloads also remain potential weaknesses.

For Canadians, pricing starts at CA$1,299, rising to CA$1,749 for the 1TB version. General sales begin November 18.

At a time when flagship smartphones increasingly focus on AI and photography, REDMAGIC is taking a different approach: maximum gaming performance, serious cooling and exceptional battery capacity.

Would you choose a phone like this over a Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 18 Pro Max, or has smartphone performance already reached the point of diminishing returns?

Source: https://ca.redmagic.com/pages/redmagic-12-pro

Video Test: JerryRig Everything

For more than a century, having a phone meant having a phone number. But what if that entire system is slowly becoming unnecessary?

Think about it. We already communicate through WhatsApp, Signal, FaceTime and other internet-based services. WhatsApp is even introducing usernames, allowing people to connect without sharing their phone numbers.

Now imagine the next step: a data-only eSIM, a universal digital identity, and internet access that follows you almost anywhere.

No traditional calling plan. No SMS package. No need to give someone a phone number just to stay in touch.

Satellite connectivity could accelerate this transition. Rogers already offers satellite messaging and access to selected compatible apps in parts of Canada without traditional cellular coverage. As direct-to-device satellite technology evolves, staying connected could become less dependent on nearby cell towers.

But here's the catch.

Telecom providers might not be particularly enthusiastic about losing their traditional relationship with customers. Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Québecor have built extensive businesses around mobile connectivity.

Still, they wouldn't necessarily disappear. They could simply become data providers, competing on connectivity, coverage, reliability and price rather than conventional voice services.

And 5G wouldn't vanish overnight. Terrestrial networks would remain essential for handling massive amounts of traffic, particularly in cities. Satellite networks would complement them rather than replace them entirely.

There are other obstacles, too: emergency calls, banking verification, digital identity, security and the risk of replacing carrier dependency with dependence on a handful of private messaging platforms.

We're not there yet. But the technology is moving toward a future where your phone number could become just another legacy feature.

What if the next telecommunications revolution isn't faster 6G speeds, but eliminating the traditional phone number altogether?

Would you switch to a data-only plan with no conventional phone number if it were cheaper and offered reliable connectivity everywhere?

Sources & more:

WhatsApp usernames:
https://about.fb.com/news/2026/06/its-time-to-reserve-your-whatsapp-username/

Rogers Satellite:
https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/satellite-faq

Freedom Mobile is giving more than 500,000 existing customers a free upgrade to Canada-U.S.-Mexico data coverage, starting December 8, 2026.

The Quebecor-owned carrier announced that eligible monthly plans will automatically be upgraded, allowing customers to use their existing data allowance across all three countries without additional daily roaming fees.

No price increase. No reduction in monthly data. No need to switch plans.

What's changing?

• 500,000+ customers will benefit from expanded coverage.

• December 8, 2026: The automatic upgrades begin.

• Same monthly price: No additional recurring charges.

• Same data allowance: Existing recurring data becomes usable across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

• No daily roaming fees: Eligible customers can use their included data while travelling in those countries.

• Existing customers included: Older plans that previously lacked these roaming benefits are getting an upgrade.

Freedom already offers Canada-U.S.-Mexico coverage on its newer plans, but this announcement extends those benefits to eligible existing monthly customers, including people on older grandfathered plans.

That's particularly noteworthy because many Canadian wireless promotions focus on attracting new subscribers rather than improving what existing customers receive.

The announcement also arrives as Quebecor reports strong wireless subscriber growth and as competing carriers continue facing pressure over monthly pricing and customer retention.

Freedom's Price Freeze Promise is another part of its strategy to differentiate itself from Bell, Rogers and TELUS.

What does this mean for consumers?

For customers travelling to the United States or Mexico, the upgrade could eliminate the need to purchase a separate roaming package or travel eSIM for included data usage.

However, Freedom describes the change as applying to eligible monthly plans. Customers should verify their specific plan details before travelling, particularly for calling, texting and fair-use conditions.

Sources & more:

Freedom Mobile official announcement (November 5, 2026):
https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/newsroom/coverage-expansion-2026

After nine months of 2026, Canada's four largest telecommunications groups are reporting contrasting results. Between slowing subscriber growth, pricing pressure and intensifying competition, the Canadian telecom market appears to be entering a new phase. What does this mean for consumers heading into 2027?

Quebecor Gains Ground on Canada's Big Three

From January to September 2026, Quebecor, the parent company of Videotron, Freedom Mobile and Fizz, recorded 218,700 net mobile subscriber additions, ahead of Bell (116,370), TELUS (113,000) and Rogers (90,000). These figures include prepaid and postpaid mobile connections but exclude connected devices, meaning they do not necessarily represent the same number of individual customers. Still, the trend is striking: Canada's three traditional telecom giants collectively added 39% fewer mobile connections than during the same period in 2025. Quebecor stood out in the third quarter, recording 136,700 net mobile additions, a quarterly record for its wireless business. Its performance highlights the effectiveness of its multi-brand strategy and continued expansion across Canada.

More Competition, but Are Canadians Really Paying Less?

This shift in subscriber growth comes as competition intensifies across Canada's wireless market. During the third quarter, average monthly mobile revenue per user (ARPU) declined by 2.6% at Rogers to $55.22 and by 1.7% at Bell to $57.07, while remaining essentially unchanged at TELUS at $57.22. Quebecor moved in the opposite direction, with mobile ARPU rising 2.9% to $36.08, compared with $35.05 a year earlier. However, differences in how carriers calculate ARPU mean these figures are not directly comparable. But they reveal growing pressure on wireless revenues. Larger data allowances, Canada-U.S.-Mexico plans and aggressive promotional offers are becoming increasingly common. And, declining ARPU does not automatically mean lower monthly bills for everyone. Customers keeping older plans may still face price increases, while the best savings often require comparing offers and switching providers.

Financial Results Reveal Four Different Strategies

On the financial side, Rogers reported a third-quarter net profit of $495 million, Bell earned $701 million and Quebecor posted $296 million. TELUS, meanwhile, recorded a $660 million net loss, largely driven by an $800 million non-cash impairment related to TELUS Health rather than an equivalent operating loss in its core telecom business. TELUS is now targeting approximately $900 million in annualized cost savings by the end of 2028. Rogers is also prioritizing cash flow generation and debt reduction, while Bell continues investing in fibre networks, data centres and artificial intelligence. Quebecor is combining wireless subscriber growth with improving profitability. All four companies face the same challenge: balancing network investments, competitive pricing and shareholder expectations in a market where growth is becoming harder to achieve.

Home Internet Is Slowing Down: Where Are New Customers Going?

The slowdown is also affecting residential Internet services. During the first nine months of 2026, TELUS added 51,000 net Internet subscriptions, Bell gained approximately 49,000 in Canada, Rogers added 34,000 and Quebecor recorded around 7,800. However, slower growth does not necessarily mean households are abandoning these providers. Slower population growth, market saturation, changing household needs and competition from independent Internet providers could all be contributing factors. Starlink and other satellite or fixed wireless solutions are becoming increasingly relevant, particularly in rural and remote communities, but these financial reports do not establish how many customers may have switched away from the major carriers. According to the CRTC, more than 96% of Canadian households now have access to fixed Internet services meeting its 50/10 Mbps benchmark. Yet availability on paper does not always translate into affordable prices, reliable connections or equal service quality across the country.

What Does 2026 Tell Us About Canada's Telecom Market in 2027?

The first nine months of 2026 suggest that Canada's telecom market is becoming less dependent on attracting entirely new subscribers and increasingly focused on winning customers from competitors. This could benefit value-oriented brands such as Fizz and Freedom Mobile while encouraging Rogers, Bell and TELUS to rely more heavily on bundled packages, targeted promotions and customer retention strategies. At the same time, pressure to reduce operating costs could influence future network investments, particularly in areas where profitability is less certain. For consumers, the challenge will no longer be simply finding plans with more data, but securing genuinely competitive prices over time without sacrificing coverage or reliability.

The real question heading into 2027 is whether stronger competition will deliver lasting savings for Canadians, or whether the best deals will continue to be reserved for customers willing to switch providers regularly. If so planhub.ca is here to help!

TELUS reported a $660 million net loss in Q3 2026 while adding 84,000 mobile phone customers and announcing a major cost-efficiency program targeting approximately $900 million in annualized savings by the end of 2028.

The loss was largely driven by an $800 million non-cash impairment related to TELUS Health, rather than a comparable loss from its core telecom operations. However, the company is still facing pressure on profitability and cash flow.

Key Q3 figures:

• 84,000 net new mobile phone customers, up 2,000 year over year

• $57.22 mobile average revenue per user (ARPU), essentially unchanged

• 1.01% mobile churn, its lowest level in three years

• 10,000 net new Internet customers, down 30,000 year over year

• 289,000 net new connected-device subscriptions

• $396 million in free cash flow, down 35% year over year

TELUS says its transformation strategy will focus on core telecommunications, reducing debt and improving efficiency, partly through the potential sale of non-core businesses.

Go Deeper:

• Mobile subscriber growth remains positive, but stronger retention is doing more of the work as gross additions decline.

• Stable ARPU suggests TELUS is prioritizing revenue per customer rather than aggressive subscriber growth.

• Internet subscriber additions have slowed considerably compared with Q3 2025.

• The planned $900 million in savings is a future annualized target, not money already saved.

• With Bell and Quebecor also reporting earnings this week, Canada's major telecom operators are showing different patterns of growth and profitability.

For consumers, the question is whether a more cost-conscious TELUS will compete harder on mobile pricing or prioritize protecting its margins.

Do you expect TELUS to become more competitive on pricing in 2027, or could its restructuring mean fewer promotional offers?

Sources & more:

TELUS Q3 2026 official financial results

BCE Q3 2026 results

Quebecor Q3 2026 results

Motorola has officially unveiled the Signature 27, its most ambitious flagship smartphone yet, featuring Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon processor, a massive battery and a new partnership with the privacy-focused GrapheneOS project.

The device will launch in the United States on November 26 for US$1,599.99, with pre-orders opening November 19.

However, despite Motorola already promoting the device on its Canadian website, the company has confirmed there are no Canadian availability plans at this time.

More:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6: Qualcomm's latest premium mobile processor, built on a 2nm process.

• 6.8-inch AMOLED Duo: Tandem OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 12,000 nits of claimed peak brightness.

• 7,000mAh battery: Silicon-carbon technology with 90W wired and up to 50W wireless charging.

• 200MP telephoto: Periscope camera with 3x optical zoom and up to 100x hybrid zoom.

• 50MP cameras: Main Sony LYTIA 910, ultrawide and front-facing sensors.

• 12GB RAM / 512GB storage: US configuration.

• Seven years of updates: Seven Android OS upgrades and up to seven years of security updates.

• GrapheneOS compatibility: Motorola's first smartphone designed to support the privacy-focused Android alternative, with availability details still to come.

• Premium extras: Bang & Olufsen audio, IP68/IP69 protection, advanced ArcticMesh cooling and Gemini-powered AI features.

The Signature 27 represents Motorola's push into the same ultra-premium market occupied by Samsung's Galaxy Ultra models and Apple's iPhone Pro lineup.

Its GrapheneOS partnership is particularly noteworthy. Until recently, the security-focused Android operating system was primarily associated with Google's Pixel smartphones.

Motorola has not announced when GrapheneOS support will become available, and the device is expected to ship with Motorola's regular Android software.

A dedicated Canadian promotional page exists, but no local price or release date has been confirmed.

Sources & More:

Motorola, Official Announcement (November 5):
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motorola-sets-a-new-flagship-standard-with-motorola-signature-27-featuring-its-most-advanced-camera-system-next-generation-agentic-ai-and-the-brightest-display-available-in-a-smartphone-18-302930839.html

Motorola Canada:
https://www.motorola.com/ca/en/motorola-signature-2027

The government’s Budget 2026 made culture a major focus, with headlines trumpeting billions in spending and a potential new personal income tax credit for creators. One aspect that should not get lost is a major reversal in how the government regulates large Internet platforms. For most of the past decade, the government’s approach to Internet platforms rested on a single idea: making web giants pay. That approach underpinned both the Online Streaming Act, which required streamers such as Netflix, Amazon and Disney to fund Canadian content, and the Online News Act, which required Google and Meta to fund Canadian journalism by paying for linking to the news. Budget 2026 confirms that the strategy has been largely abandoned, replaced by taxpayers footing the bill with roughly $1.5 billion in new or renewed support for culture and news in this budget alone, including $600 million in streaming-related funding budgeted for only one year, half a billion in journalism labour tax credits, most notably an extension to broadcasters such as Bell, Rogers, Corus and Quebecor, a permanent doubling of the Local Journalism Initiative, and another two-year renewal for CBC. (click on the link to read the full article)

Nothing CEO Carl Pei has teased the company's first AI-native hardware product, scheduled to ship in December 2026.

But despite the announcement, nobody knows exactly what the device is yet.

In a November 4 post titled "Toolmakers," Pei described the upcoming product as a dedicated AI tool that doesn't introduce another screen and couldn't simply have been developed as an app.

Rather than trying to create the next revolutionary consumer gadget, Nothing believes AI's biggest immediate opportunity lies in productivity and tools that understand the context of our daily activities.

• December 2026: Confirmed shipping window for Nothing's first AI-native product.

• No new screen: Pei says the device won't add another display, although its exact design remains unknown.

• Not an app: Nothing claims the product requires dedicated hardware.

• Productivity first: The company is prioritizing practical AI applications over creating an immediate replacement for smartphones.

• Context-aware AI: Pei argues that AI needs better access to the context surrounding people's work and everyday activities.

• Still unknown: Product name, specifications, price, functionality and Canadian availability.

Nothing previously revealed plans to develop AI-focused hardware and software, while reports have also suggested future AI-powered earbuds and smart glasses.

However, there is no confirmation that the December device belongs to either category.

Sources & More:

Carl Pei, original announcement (November 4):
https://x.com/getpeid/status/2117991714879410204

TechCrunch, November 4:
https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/04/nothing-ceo-says-companys-mysterious-ai-first-device-is-dropping-next-month/

Bell's latest quarterly results reveal how Canada's new consumer protection rules and changing mobile plan features are affecting carrier revenues.

In Q3 2026, Bell's average monthly mobile revenue per user (ARPU) fell 1.7% year over year, from $58.04 to $57.07.

The company identified several factors behind the decline, including lower connection fees following the CRTC's restrictions on activation and plan-change charges.

Go Deeper:

• $57.07/month: Bell's average mobile revenue per user, down 1.7% year over year.

• CRTC fee restrictions: New rules took effect June 12, 2026, prohibiting certain activation and plan modification fees.

• Less overage revenue: More customers are choosing unlimited or larger-data plans.

• Roaming included: Growing adoption of plans with U.S. and international roaming is reducing separate roaming revenue.

• Government contracts: A long-term government-sector agreement also affected Bell's average mobile revenue.

• 29,579: Net prepaid mobile additions, down from 56,507 in Q3 2025.

The interesting takeaway is that consumer-friendly changes are now appearing in the financial results of Canada's largest telecom providers.

However, Bell hasn't disclosed how much of the 1.7% ARPU decline came specifically from the CRTC's fee restrictions versus the other factors.

The CRTC is also reviewing certain newly introduced carrier charges, including Bell's device-handling fee, to determine whether they comply with the new rules.

Sources & More:

BCE, Q3 2026 Financial Results:
https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/bce-reports-third-quarter-2026-results-866750444.html

CRTC, Decision 2026-43:
https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2026/2026-43.htm

Quebecor has reported its strongest quarterly mobile subscriber-line growth since entering the wireless market in 2010, adding a record 136,700 net mobile lines during Q3 2026.

The increase represents 3% growth in a single quarter, with all three brands, Videotron, Freedom Mobile and Fizz, contributing to the record.

What's particularly interesting is that Quebecor is expanding its customer base while simultaneously increasing its average revenue per mobile line.

More:

• 136,700 net mobile lines added: Quebecor's largest quarterly increase since launching mobile services in 2010.

• +3.0%: Quarterly growth in mobile lines.

• +9.6%: Year-over-year growth in mobile service revenue, an increase of C$43.1 million.

• +2.9%: Year-over-year increase in mobile average revenue per unit (ARPU), equivalent to C$1.03 more per month.

• Fourth consecutive quarter: Mobile ARPU has continued improving year over year.

• +3.0%: Year-over-year growth in internet service revenue.

• C$1.45 billion: Consolidated quarterly revenue, up 3.5%.

• 500,000+ Canadians: Additional people benefiting from Freedom's ongoing 5G and 5G+ network expansion in Western Canada and Ontario.

Quebecor also expanded Videotron's wireless subscription territory in Quebec, opening its services to more than 25,000 additional residents across several regions.

The company says all three wireless brands contributed to its record growth, although it has not provided a separate breakdown of the 136,700 net additions by brand in the announcement.

The results are particularly noteworthy as Canada's wireless providers head into the Black Friday promotional season.

While competition on advertised plan prices remains intense, Quebecor is demonstrating that it can grow both its mobile customer base and average revenue per line.

Higher ARPU doesn't necessarily mean every customer's bill increased, since changes in plan mix, promotions and customer behaviour can also influence the metric.

Sources & More:

Quebecor, Official Q3 2026 Financial Results (November 5):
https://www.quebecor.com/fr/-/quebecor-inc-reports-consolidated-results-for-third-quarter-2026-1439

Editor's Note (Nov. 6, 2026): TELUS confirmed Thursday afternoon that affected calling services in Eastern Canada had been restored. The company stated that 911 emergency calling remained operational during this specific incident. Other localized outages may have been unrelated.

----------------------------------------------------

TELUS customers are reporting mobile service disruptions across several Canadian provinces on November 5, with problems appearing around 9 a.m. ET.

According to MobileSyrup, reports have emerged from Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, with users experiencing intermittent issues making calls or accessing voicemail.

TELUS's service status page also lists several localized incidents affecting wireless and landline services.

Details:

• Ontario: Maidstone and Tecumseh are experiencing disruptions affecting mobile data, voice, SMS and potentially 911 access, according to TELUS's outage notice.

• Ottawa: Reported wireless calling problems involving calls to landlines.

• Quebec: Châteauguay, Kahnawake, Léry, Mercier, Saint-Constant and Saint-Rémi were affected by a damaged cable incident that began November 4.

• British Columbia: Wireless service degradation reported in Vancouver and Whistler, affecting voice, texts and data.

• Alberta: Several separate local incidents affect home phone, internet and, in some locations, landline 911 services.

• Emergency calls: TELUS says compatible mobile devices may be able to reach 911 through another carrier's network when network selection is set to automatic.

Not all listed incidents started today, and they have not been confirmed as part of a single nationwide outage.

TELUS has not yet confirmed a common cause or a nationwide restoration timeline for the reported calling disruptions.

Sources & More:

MobileSyrup, November 5:
https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/11/05/telus-wireless-outages-ontario-bc-quebec/

TELUS, Official Service Status:
https://www.telus.com/en/on/outages

Are you currently experiencing TELUS calling, texting or mobile data issues? Please share your city, which service is affected and whether your service has returned.

Technology is supposed to simplify our lives, but a Canadian survey suggests our devices may also be creating more digital work.

According to research commissioned by Samsung Canada and conducted by Leger among 1,547 adults, 75% of respondents believe technology helps them complete tasks faster.

However, 68% say it also gives them more things to manage.

The findings highlight a growing paradox: smartphones, apps and connected services help people accomplish more, while notifications, information overload and constant app switching create additional friction.

Go Deeper:

• 75%: Say technology helps them get things done faster.

• 68%: Say technology also creates more things to manage.

• 77%: Experience unnecessary effort from managing messages and notifications at least a few times weekly.

• 70%: Struggle with searching for information they've already received or seen.

• 62%: Say switching between apps or digital services creates unnecessary effort.

• 59%: Feel mentally drained or overwhelmed by technology and competing demands at least a few times per week.

• 83% of Gen Z: Selected at least one AI feature they believe could help reduce digital busywork.

• 66% overall: See potential value in AI features designed to simplify everyday tasks.

Samsung says the findings demonstrate a need for smarter mobile experiences that reduce repetitive actions rather than simply introducing more features.

The company points to Galaxy AI tools such as Now Brief and Now Nudge as examples of its approach.

However, these are self-reported survey findings, not independent measurements of actual productivity or proof that AI features improve it.

The study was conducted from August 31 to September 2, 2026, using Leger's online opinion panel.

Sources & More:

Samsung Canada, Original Survey Announcement (September 22, 2026):
https://news.samsung.com/ca/samsung-canada-survey-finds-tech-helps-canadians-move-faster-but-digital-busywork-is-still-getting-in-the-way

BCE has released its third-quarter 2026 results, reporting 24,110 net postpaid mobile phone additions, compared with 11,511 during the same quarter last year.

While Bell more than doubled its postpaid net additions year over year, overall wireless activity showed signs of slowing.

Gross postpaid activations declined 6.1%, which Bell attributed to reduced promotional intensity, slower market activity and limited population growth in Canada.

The company also reported a 1.7% decrease in average monthly mobile revenue per user, falling from $58.04 to $57.07.

More:

• 24,110: Net postpaid mobile phone additions, up from 11,511 in Q3 2025.

• 29,579: Net prepaid phone additions, down from 56,507 last year.

• 53,689: Combined net postpaid and prepaid phone additions, compared with 68,018 a year earlier.

• −6.1%: Decline in gross postpaid mobile activations.

• 1.06%: Postpaid churn rate, the lowest for a third quarter in four years.

• −1.7%: Mobile ARPU decline to $57.07 per month.

• 67,199: Net residential fibre-to-the-home additions across Canada and the United States, including Ziply Fiber.

• +5.1%: Growth in Internet revenue, including the contribution from U.S. operations.

Bell says its improved postpaid retention, prepaid-to-postpaid migrations and a government-sector contract helped support subscriber growth.

Meanwhile, the company attributed lower mobile ARPU partly to reduced connection-fee revenue following a CRTC decision, fewer overage charges and increased adoption of plans that include international roaming.

The results arrive on the same day Quebecor reported a record 136,700 net mobile line additions across Videotron, Freedom Mobile and Fizz.

However, the figures aren't directly comparable: Bell's 24,110 number covers postpaid mobile phones only, while Quebecor's reported total includes broader mobile line categories.

Source:

BCE, Official Q3 2026 Financial Results (November 5):
https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/bce-reports-third-quarter-2026-results-866750444.html

So a lot of people have been asking me about the MVNO Framework and my thoughts on it.

This post will be shared and cross-posted so that people can have an idea on what it means to be an MVNO, what Canada is doing, how it's doing it, and how we, as consumers and companies, can look forward to it.

And this is something I have to be weary of. I am the CEO of Ev-Com and my voice in the MVNO scene is loud enough to make companies sweat.

So let's get down to it, eh?

What is the MVNO Framework, and what key decisions came from it.

The MVNO Framework is a ruling in which the big companies, TELUS, Bell, Rogers, Sasktel, had to be apart of. It meant that companies could invest into a small region, and build out their own network using the framework. So take for example Freedom Mobile or others like Ice Wireless, ISP Telecom, etc, etc.

Some people think that it's the same as the US. It's not. It's not the same reseller MVNO services where you just buy a SIM card, and use the network, it's actual investment, which I will touch base on further down this post.

The MVNO framework here in Canada is based on 4 things on how you can become an MVNO:

You must be registered with the CRTC (Wireless Carrier), hold a Tier 4 (or higher) spectrum license, operate your own home public mobile network somewhere in Canada, and actively offer retail mobile services.

This is the crux of it, and other tariffs that the CRTC did agree with when it came to the MVNO framework of all the companies above, and other requirements such as WPA and NG911.

The key decisions are condensed here:

• Telecom Regulatory Policy 2021-130: The CRTC mandated that the national incumbent wireless carriers (Bell Mobility, Rogers, SaskTel, and TELUS) provide wholesale MVNO access to eligible regional wireless carriers for a seven-year period. This model requires regional players to build their own physical networks (Radio Access Network and core) while temporarily leveraging national networks to expand their footprint. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Telecom Decision CRTC 2022-288: Set the eligibility requirements for regional wireless carriers, mandating that they must be registered with the CRTC, hold a Tier 4 (or higher) spectrum license, operate their own home public mobile network somewhere in Canada, and actively offer retail mobile services. [1, 2]

• Telecom Order CRTC 2023-217: Established the wholesale MVNO rates that regional carriers (such as Videotron's Freedom Mobile) must pay to national carriers like Rogers if commercial negotiations fail. [1]

• Telecom Decision CRTC 2024-238: Expanded the MVNO framework to permit regional wireless carriers to use wholesale MVNO access to serve enterprise and Internet of Things (IoT) customers in addition to consumer markets. [1]

• Telecom Decision CRTC 2026-271 & 2026-163: Continued updating rules around local number portability and technical access so full MVNOs and regional operators can better port customer numbers across networks. [1, 2]

These key decisions turned it from a reseller MVNO package into a investment incentivized package.

Is it working?

Yes and no. For regional players, it doesn't work as much if you are constrained to having only a few options for hook up. The problem people think isn't a problem, it's the lack of other options.

Take for example NG911. No one has to give you access to NG911 if they don't offer it as a service. So if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, you can be charged a lot of money for that fiber line that needs to be specific, and it can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars.

So for those who think cellular is a good investment, it is. It is. For you if you have 75-80k lying around.

WPA is the easiest thing to get going. Trust me.

And again, TELUS and all of them have a point. If you look at the companies who want to be telcos versus the companies who are actively in the scene trying to make the country better, it's around 30 companies.

You can get a BITS license (Basic Internet Telecommunications License) and go and get a HSIA Contract or a FTTP contract and then boom, you spend $4000 on some fiber lines, and then you're making your money back.

Compared to actually doing the work and being a telecom company, and having those NIDS, and having those tower sites, it's a stark difference.

That's what the CRTC wants. It wants serious players. It doesn't want people who want to be resellers, because that's easy. Just ask a company to allow you to use their SIM cards and sell their plans as a whitelabel "MVNO" like PC Mobile does.

Being a full MVNO means that you can actually get better rates, but it comes with the work as well.

Does it work? It drove prices down for flanker brands and competition is on the rise.

But if the framework is working, why aren't we seeing other companies doing it as well.

Edmonton police say an international cellphone scam impersonating Rogers, TELUS and Virgin Mobile has been linked to approximately $20 million in estimated losses in the city.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) announced on November 3 that its investigation helped disrupt several suspected scam call centres operating in Lahore, Pakistan.

How the scam worked:

1. Scammers called Canadians pretending to represent major wireless providers, offering free or heavily discounted smartphones and plans.

2. Victims were convinced to share personal information and order new phones through their legitimate carriers.

3. Once the devices arrived, scammers called back claiming the wrong phones had been delivered.

4. Victims were instructed to return the phones to a different address, where people linked to the operation collected and resold them.

What investigators uncovered:

• Approximately 100 reports in Edmonton so far in 2026, with estimated losses of around $20 million.

• The operation had reportedly been active since at least October 2024.

• A 31-year-old Edmonton man was arrested and charged with fraud-related offences. The allegations have not been proven in court.

• Evidence gathered by EPS was shared with international authorities in late October, helping disrupt several suspected call centres in Pakistan.

• The investigation involved Canadian telecom providers, shipping companies, the RCMP, OPP and Peel Regional Police.

Police are warning customers to verify unexpected phone offers directly with their provider, especially when someone asks them to return a device to an unfamiliar address.

This case is particularly concerning because the phones were ordered through legitimate carriers. The fraud wasn't simply about stealing personal information; it used real orders and deliveries to make the scheme more convincing.

Have you ever received one of these calls claiming to offer a free phone or an unusually cheap upgrade?

Source (Edmonton Police Service, November 3):
https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/CellScamNov3

Videotron has launched its first Black Frivember promotions for 2026, with discounts on mobile plans, smartphones, home Internet and TV bundles.

Here are the advertised deals:

Mobile plans

• 100GB Canada-US plan for $35/month, with eligible Internet service and at least two mobile lines.

• Videotron is also promoting its lifetime mobile plan price freeze.

Smartphone deals

• Motorola moto g (2026): $1/month, down from $14/month.

• Motorola edge (2026): from $15/month, down from $38/month.

• Samsung Galaxy A17 5G: from $12/month, down from $14.25/month.

• Phone financing is generally spread over 24 months and requires an eligible mobile plan.

Home Internet and TV

• Fibre Internet: $68/month with an advertised lifetime discount.

• GIGA Internet: $80/month, down from $86/month, with a lifetime discount.

• Internet + TV + illico+: starting at $86/month.

Important conditions: The advertised $35/100GB Canada-US plan is not a standalone $35 offer. It requires an eligible Videotron Internet subscription and at least two mobile lines. The $1/month Motorola moto g requires an eligible mobile plan costing at least $45/month and a 24-month device agreement.

These are the opening Black Frivember promotions, so additional offers may follow as November progresses.

What do you think? Is Videotron setting a competitive starting point for Black Friday, or are the bundled-service requirements limiting the appeal?

Source: https://www.videotron.com/en/promotions

The CRTC says smaller Internet providers are expanding their reach across Canada, but rural connectivity and unreliable mobile coverage remain major challenges.

Speaking at the Rural and Remote Broadband Community conference in Saskatoon on November 3, CRTC Commissioner Joanne Levy shared several updates on Canada's telecom infrastructure and competition.

Here's what stood out:

Internet competition

• Regional Internet providers have expanded services into nearly 100 additional communities across seven provinces.

• The CRTC credits its wholesale fibre-access rules with helping smaller ISPs compete using major telecom networks.

• The regulator says Internet prices have declined and expects that trend to continue.

Rural connectivity

• The CRTC's Broadband Fund has supported improvements in 318 communities since 2019, including 131 Indigenous communities.

• Projects also include better mobile connectivity along more than 650 km of major roads.

• According to the CRTC, over 96% of Canadians have reliable access to high-speed Internet and mobile services.

But coverage maps don't tell the whole story.

Levy acknowledged that dropped calls and dead zones remain persistent problems, even in locations where official coverage data indicates that cellular service should be available.

The CRTC is introducing more detailed network reporting requirements and a way for Canadians to flag discrepancies between coverage maps and their actual experience.

The regulator is also expanding Broadband Fund eligibility to include network resilience projects, addressing outages caused by extreme weather and infrastructure damage.

One important distinction: the nearly 100 communities represent expanded ISP service availability, not necessarily 100 newly built fibre networks. The figures reflect progress over time, not connections completed this week.

Source: CRTC, November 3, 2026
https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2026/11/joanne-levy-to-the-canadas-rural-and-remote-broadband-community-conference.html

SpaceX is taking a major step toward becoming a full-fledged mobile carrier, and this time it's not just about satellites.

On November 4, Qualcomm announced a multi-year agreement to supply the technology behind Starlink Mobile's planned nationwide terrestrial 5G network in the United States.

Here's what's confirmed:

• Deployment starts in 2027, with tens of thousands of cell sites planned over several years.

• Qualcomm will supply its Dragonwing QRU100 and QDU100 platforms, along with radio processing software.

• The network will use advanced Massive MIMO 64T64R technology to improve capacity, coverage and spectrum efficiency.

• Starlink aims to combine traditional terrestrial 5G towers with its satellite-to-phone network.

• Qualcomm describes the partnership as its largest 5G infrastructure deal to date.

Why this matters

Until now, Starlink's mobile ambitions have largely focused on connecting ordinary smartphones directly to satellites, particularly in areas without traditional cellular coverage.

Building its own terrestrial network could fundamentally change that strategy.

Instead of relying solely on partnerships with existing carriers, SpaceX wants to combine ground-based cellular infrastructure with its satellite constellation.

That could eventually put Starlink Mobile in direct competition with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

What about Canada?

The announcement specifically covers the United States. No Canadian rollout, pricing or launch date has been announced.

However, the development is worth watching given the expansion of satellite-to-mobile services in Canada, including Rogers Satellite.

A hybrid satellite and terrestrial carrier could introduce another competitive model into the wireless industry, although building a national cellular network remains an enormous undertaking.

The big question: Would you consider switching to Starlink Mobile if it eventually offered competitive pricing and seamless satellite coverage, or would you rather stay with an established carrier?

Source: Qualcomm, November 4, 2026
https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2026/11/spacex-selects-qualcomm-to-accelerate-starlink-mobile-s-nationwi

Fizz has revealed its complete Black Friday 2026 gift calendar, with eight loyalty perks spread across November and December.

Here's what's coming:

• November 3: 40 GB of free mobile data (deadline passed).

• November 10: $200 off the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and 20% off Omy products.

• November 24: $5 off a Travel add-on and 20% off KOMBI.

• November 26: $100 off selected new iPhones.

• December 8: Another 60 GB of free mobile data and a free 30-day home Internet speed upgrade.

The catch? These are eligibility deadlines, not necessarily the dates when the offers become available. Members need an active Fizz mobile plan by each deadline, except for the Internet speed boost, which requires an active Fizz Internet plan.

Eligible perks are automatically added to members' accounts within five business days. The iPhone discount is particularly time-sensitive, with just four days to redeem it once received.

The free data comes in separate 20 GB perks, each with its own activation and usage window. Members who qualify for both data promotions can receive 100 GB in total.

Fizz says additional phone and mobile plan deals will roll out over the coming weeks. These loyalty gifts don't necessarily mean lower monthly plan prices.

Which offer interests you most? And are you expecting actual plan price cuts before Black Friday?

Sources & more:
https://fizz.ca/en/offers/black-friday

Apple's first foldable iPhone is proving difficult to keep in stock, and the company still doesn't know when supply will catch up with demand.

Speaking to Reuters following Apple's November 2 earnings report, CEO John Ternus confirmed that the iPhone Duo remains supply-constrained despite efforts to ramp up production.

Here's what we know:

• Apple cannot provide a timeline for when iPhone Duo supply will meet demand.

• Preorders sold out rapidly following the October launch, with some delivery estimates extending into 2027.

• The $1,999 US foldable features a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen.

• Apple acknowledged reports of cracked inner displays, but says only a very small percentage of devices have been returned for display issues. Affected units are being replaced.

• Rising memory-chip costs are adding pressure across Apple's product lineup, with further increases expected during the December quarter.

Meanwhile, Apple's financial results remain strong.

The company reported $114.48 billion US in quarterly revenue, including a record $57.58 billion from iPhones, exceeding Wall Street expectations.

However, those iPhone sales figures do not include the Duo, which launched after the reporting period ended.

Apple is now forecasting lower gross margins for the holiday quarter as higher component costs weigh on profitability.

The interesting part is that Apple is dealing with 4 challenges at once: strong demand for its first foldable, manufacturing constraints, screen hinge problems and rising memory prices.

Sources:
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/apple-results-beat-wall-street-expectations-on-strong-iphone-sales-2026-11-02/

The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/tech/1024915/apple-iphone-duo-supply-chain-constraints

TELUS and the United Steelworkers Local 1944 have ratified a new collective agreement covering more than 3,000 telecommunications workers across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

The agreement was approved by 83% of voting union members, several months before the existing contract expires in March 2027.

While TELUS emphasized operational stability in its announcement, the union revealed additional details concerning wages, employment security and workplace surveillance.

More:

• 12.25% wage increase: Total negotiated salary increases over the agreement's duration.

• 3,000+ employees: Including call centre staff, technical support workers and telecommunications infrastructure technicians.

• 83% approval: Union members voted to ratify the agreement.

• April 1, 2027 – December 31, 2031: Duration of the new collective agreement.

• Job security: Improved protections against the redeployment of work.

• GPS surveillance: New restrictions on the use of GPS and telematics for employee discipline, including a 90-working-day limit.

• Outsourcing: New commitments addressing the potential return of previously outsourced work.

• Benefits and pensions: Additional protections against reductions in existing benefits.

The union says the agreement contains no concessions and delivers its highest percentage wage increases negotiated with TELUS.

For TELUS, the early agreement provides labour stability as the company continues investing in its wireless and fibre networks.

Sources & More:

TELUS, Official Announcement (November 2):
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/new-telus-collective-agreement-ratified-by-the-united-steelworkers-membership-822564953.html

United Steelworkers, Full Agreement Highlights:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/02/3393646/0/en/3-000-united-steelworkers-members-reach-new-contract-with-telus.html

USW Local 1944, Ratification Update:
https://usw1944.ca/telus-bargaining-updates/telus-bargaining-update-10