Public Mobile Review (2025) – Plans, Prices, Reviews

This Public Mobile review is based on my own experience after switching from another carrier, so you’ll get the facts along with a first-hand perspective.

Public Mobile is a prepaid, online-only carrier owned by TELUS, and what makes it stand out is that it now offers full access to the TELUS 5G network. That’s something you don’t get with most budget brands. Competitors like Lucky Mobile (Bell) and Chatr (Rogers) are still stuck on 4 G.

Public Mobile keeps things simple: no stores, no phone financing, just straightforward mobile plans with competitive pricing and solid nationwide coverage. If you want to be on the TELUS network without paying TELUS prices, they’re one of the best options in Canada.

Public Mobile Coverage and Network

Since Public Mobile runs on the TELUS network, you’re basically getting the same coverage and reliability that TELUS customers do, just at a lower price. That means strong service across most Canadian cities, suburbs, and even a lot of rural areas.

One of the biggest advantages is that Public Mobile includes 5G access with its plans. That’s rare for a discount carrier, since most low-cost brands cap you at 4G or LTE speeds. In my experience, the difference is noticeable — streaming, hotspotting, and even video calls feel just as smooth as being on a premium TELUS plan.

Another big perk is their Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage on certain plans. I had the chance to test this while travelling in Los Angeles and Mexico, and my phone worked seamlessly without having to buy a separate travel SIM. For me, that’s a huge value add.

Public Mobile Plans and Pricing

Public Mobile’s plans change fairly often, which seems to be the trend in Canada, but they consistently remain some of the best deals on the TELUS network. I managed to grab a 60 GB plan for $35/month, which honestly felt like a steal. That exact plan now goes for $40/month, but even at that price it’s still excellent value – especially since it includes Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage.

To put things in perspective, Koodo (also owned by TELUS and running on the same 5G towers) charges $40 for just 10 GB of data. So with Public Mobile you’re getting six times the data for the same price, with the same coverage and speeds. Lucky Mobile, on the other hand, offers 60 GB for $39, but it’s limited to 4G and doesn’t include U.S. or Mexico roaming.

Compared to competitors in the same budget tier, Public Mobile clearly has the edge. Lucky Mobile (Bell) and Chatr (Rogers) only run on 4G, so you don’t get 5G speeds with them. And when you compare Public Mobile’s pricing to the big three carriers directly, the difference is night and day. TELUS postpaid plans with similar data can easily cost double.

All plans are prepaid and month-to-month. There are no contracts, no surprise price hikes after a promo period, and no pressure to bundle with TV or home phone. You can activate online in minutes using an eSIM or physical SIM, and everything is managed through their app.

Public 60 GB Canada-US-Mexico

Editor's Choice

$40/month

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Public 4 GB

Budget Friendly

$25/month

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My Personal Experience with Public Mobile

I switched to Public Mobile from SpeakOut, the 7/11 brand that runs on Rogers. SpeakOut used to be a great choice for light internet users with its prepaid structure and data add-ons, but they haven’t kept up with the competition. Once I needed a real data plan, their prices felt way too high.

Moving to Public Mobile was simple. Everything is handled through their app, from sign-up to account management. You can even choose whether to port your number during sign-up or after.

I ran into some issues when trying to port my SpeakOut number, not Public Mobile’s fault, since SpeakOut doesn’t use account numbers. Their support helped me get it done using my phone’s IMEI instead. The entire process was smooth, and I was honestly impressed by how quick, efficient, and friendly their online support team was. I even got replies from the same rep each time, which made me laugh and wonder if they only had one agent on staff.

Plan-wise, I managed to grab a 60 GB plan for $35/month, which is an amazing deal compared to other carriers. That same plan now costs $40, but it’s still great value especially since it works not just in Canada but also in the US and Mexico. I tested it this past summer on a two-week trip to LA and 10 days in Mexico, and it worked flawlessly everywhere I went. No need to buy a separate eSIM for travel, which saved me a lot of money.

Public Mobile also supports both physical SIM cards and eSIMs. You can order a SIM online, pick one up in a TELUS or Koodo store, or activate a virtual SIM instantly like I did.

That said, Public Mobile is a low-cost brand, so there are a few tradeoffs. Everything is done online; there are no physical stores or call-in customer service. Personally, I prefer managing everything digitally, but some people may find it limiting. They also don’t offer postpaid plans, phone financing, or new devices.

Customer Support

Public Mobile doesn’t have physical stores or call-in support. Everything is handled online through their app or the self-serve portal. For some people that might be a downside, but I actually found it convenient.

When I had an issue porting my number from SpeakOut, support responded quickly, clearly, and even stuck with me through the whole process. It felt more personal than the scripted responses you usually get from big carriers.

Pros and Cons of Public Mobile

Pros

• Affordable 5G plans with way more data than comparable carriers

• Runs on the TELUS network, so coverage and reliability are excellent

• Canada–U.S.–Mexico roaming included on many plans

• Flexible activation with eSIM or physical SIM

Cons

• No physical stores or phone-based customer support, all online only

• Plans change frequently, so pricing and data allowances may shift

• No postpaid options or phone financing

Public Mobile Reviews from Other Users

Many users praise Public Mobile for giving excellent value, big data allowances for low prices, 5G access, and reliable coverage under the TELUS network. Comments often highlight how the app works well, how support is responsive online, and how people feel they get “more for what I pay.”

Some others bring up complaints: since it’s online-only, issues like porting numbers or troubleshooting weird device issues take a bit more patience; also, plan changes are frequent, which can frustrate someone who wants stable pricing.

Overall, feedback leans positive if you’re okay doing things mostly online and want a solid deal without the premium price tag.

Final Verdict

Public Mobile is one of the best budget carriers in Canada if you want big data plans at low prices without sacrificing coverage. Running on the TELUS 5G network means you get the same reliability as premium brands, but for a fraction of the cost.

Add in the fact that many plans include roaming in the U.S. and Mexico, and the value gets even better.

It’s not for everyone. There are no stores, no postpaid options, and no phone financing, but if you’re comfortable managing your account online, Public Mobile is hard to beat. For me, switching from SpeakOut felt like a massive upgrade, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a simple, affordable way to stay connected.