Is it just me or have you also grown tired of all the downsides that come along with big wireless companies? I’ve been a customer with one of them for about 9 years – which, admittedly, may seem like a long time and imply I’m happy. But, while there are things I have liked, there have been many things I’ve disliked – particularly when it comes to my phone plan options. Not to mention the price per month! Truth be told, Canada’s mobile plans are some of the most expensive in the world. And since the big carriers have all tended to have similar services, plans, and promotions, I’ve just opted to stay with the same one for all this time.
I’ve been aware of Freedom Mobile for a while, but always assumed it wasn’t a good option for various reasons. Being a newer player in the wireless market, I thought there was more value in staying with a more established carrier. But earlier this year, Freedom Mobile actually reached out about testing out their service. In doing my research, I learned they’re able to offer much more than I previously thought, and a lot of the assumptions I had were actually common misconceptions.
Common Misconceptions I’ve heard about Freedom Mobile
Okay, so I used to think, and I’m sure you’re probably also thinking one or more of the following:
- Freedom Mobile’s coverage is not as good
- You can’t get premium phones from Freedom Mobile
- Freedom Mobile is just a small carrier
But, in my opinion, these beliefs, in fact, aren’t true. Since launching, I’ve learned that Freedom Mobile has come a really long way, and continues to expand its network and improve its services every day! Currently, it’s the 4th largest carrier in Canada.
Shaw Communications purchased Wind Mobile in March of 2016 and rebranded it as Freedom Mobile in November of 2016. Freedom burst onto the scene with Big Gig data plans (10GB of data for $50 a month with no data overage fees) in October of 2017. Since then, Freedom has continued to introduce promotions to, as it says, ‘shake up the market.’ It currently operates wireless networks in major cities in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia and the network keeps growing to now reach 17 million Canadians.
Things I Learned About Freedom Mobile
A few months ago, I met with members of Freedom Mobile’s product and customer care team in person, and they explained a bit about who they are and what they stand for. Here are a few key facts I learned about Freedom Mobile that helped me debunk some of the common misconceptions I had above.
- First, about the network, Freedom Mobile offers its customers fast speeds, and has invested in growing its LTE network within the GTA, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver and many smaller communities beyond that.
- In my experience so far, Freedom Mobile’s coverage has been just as good as the service I was getting from my old wireless provider, and it’s continuing to grow outside of cities they operate in. You can check out their coverage map here.
- You absolutely can get premium phones with Freedom Mobile, including the iPhone XS (which I currently have and LOVE), the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, plus other iPhones (XS Max, XR, 8, and 8 Plus), Samsung Galaxy S10 phones (10, 10+, Note 10+, Galaxy S9, Galaxy A70, Google Pixel 3 phones, LG G8.) You can also bring your own device and have access to their data plans.
- Freedom introduced Big Gig data plans with no overage fees back in 2017 and, today, it continues to have some of the most affordable unlimited data plans. Freedom doesn’t charge overage fees for going over your allotted fast LTE data in a month. If you’ve used your monthly amount, you can still use data at reduced speeds without getting charges or add more fast LTE data.
- There are over 1.5 million subscribers of Freedom Mobile (as of May 2019), and that number continues to grow.
And It Gets Better …Freedom Mobile’s Newest offer: Absolute Zero
Zero dollars? Zero problem!
Just like how Freedom changed the game with Big Gig data plans, it’s now doing the same with its latest offer: Absolute Zero. With the Absolute Zero offer, you can get premium branded phones with a Big Gig Unlimited plan and pay $0 upfront, $0 extra each month, and $0 extra at the end of a standard 2-yr. commitment.
Why I Decided to Give Freedom Mobile a Try & My Experience
So, with all that said, it’s pretty clear why I decided to give Freedom Mobile a try. They’ve introduced much-needed competition in the Canadian mobile market—something I know I’ve been craving. And I hope their bold moves will continue to make wireless prices more affordable, which is a great thing for all Canadian wireless customers.
I’ve been using Freedom Mobile for a few months. Not only am I loving my iPhone XS, but the service has also been seamless. Having the extra data is pretty sweet! I used to limit myself and therefore my ability to work outside of my home (where I have WiFi) because I was worried about using up my data (I only had 6 GB with my former carrier). Having an additional 9 GB to ‘play around with’ is really nice.
Another MAJOR plus is that Freedom Mobile’s LTE coverage is available underground in the TTC subway system. Whereas TTC’s Wi-Fi is only available on some platforms, Freedom extends this coverage across all station platforms and common areas. Freedom is also the only carrier to offer coverage in the TTC subway.
The verdict? I think, if you were previously hesitant or on the fence, there is no real downside to giving Freedom Mobile a try, especially if you’re resident of the GTA. If you use a lot of data, it’s a no-brainer. If you want a premium phone and you want your provider to pick up the tab, it’s a total no-brainer!
Have you ever thought about giving Freedom Mobile a try?
*This post was done in partnership with Freedom Mobile. But as always, all opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.
