86 Percent of Canadians Who Changed Cell Phone Plans Over the Past Year Got Better Deal, Survey Shows

A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Nearly 90 percent of Canadians who have switched cell phone plans are getting a better deal, according to a recent survey.

Abacus Data said it surveyed 5,000 Canadians and found that one in four had changed their wireless plan in the last year, with 86 percent saying they were getting a better deal with their new plan.

“The study indicates that the majority of Canadians who have recently changed their cell phone plan report that they are receiving lower prices and greater value,” the report said.

Of those who switched, 47 percent moved to a new provider and 53 percent changed their plan with their current provider.

The survey was conducted between May 16 and 24 with a random sample of panellists. The margin of error was +/- 1.39 percent, 19 times out of 20, the report said.

The majority of Canadians said they primarily switched for a better price on cell phone service (79 percent). The second major reason for switching was to get more data (49 percent).

Of those who did not change their plan in the last year, 19 percent said they planned a move in the next year. Another 29 percent were not sure. Price was the deciding factor for those looking to change in the next year (85 percent).

Finding a better cell phone plan does not always mean cutting back, according to the survey. Sixty-three percent of respondents said their new plan was lower than their old plan, but the services were the same or better. Another 17 percent said they were paying more with their new plan but are getting more services or features. Extra data was one of the services Canadians who switched said they were receiving with their new provider (74 percent), while higher data speeds was also a bonus for those who changed plans (49 percent).

The report said that the survey results were an indication of a positive trend in telecommunications.

“This shows that the sector has responded to consumer demands and preferences by offering reduced pricing and value-added services,” the report said.

The survey comes after a government official said Canadians need to shop around if they want better cell phone plans.

The comments were made after senators remarked that what consumers are paying does not fit with Ottawa’s claims of declining cell prices.

Andre Arbour, director general of internet policy at the industry department, said that the “appropriate plan” is often listed on the provider’s website. He added that people have busy lives and often have not looked for a new plan.

Mr. Arbour’s comments were made after a Statistics Canada report claimed Canadians were paying 26.5 percent less on cell phone plans in 2024 than they did the previous year.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) noted in a 2023 report that consumers sometimes have trouble finding and understanding information about different cell and internet services.

“The perceived level of difficulty and time can discourage some people from switching,” the CRTC said at the time.