Bell Narrowed Wireless Gap Among New Canadians

A report indicates that Bell has increased its share of the market for recent arrivals to Canada.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Telecommunications

Bell Narrowed Wireless Gap Among New Canadians

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The Strategic Council released a report in 2026 showing that Bell has narrowed the historical mobile market lead held by Rogers among new Canadians. Data indicates that most new arrivals secure wireless and home internet services within their first month in the country.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the intense competition for new Canadian subscribers, who are often high-priority customers for major telecommunications providers. Understanding these trends helps clarify how shifting brand preferences among new arrivals are impacting the national market share.

Approximately 74 per cent of new Canadians secure wireless services within one month, with 55 per cent signing up before or within one week of arrival. Meanwhile, 61 per cent of newcomers establish home internet service within the same one-month timeframe.

The players

The Strategic Council

This is a public opinion and market research firm that provides data-driven insights to Canadian organizations.

Bell

This is a major Canadian telecommunications company that provides wireless and home internet services to millions of customers.

Rogers

This is a leading Canadian media and communications provider that competes for wireless and internet market share.

Telus

This is a national telecommunications provider that maintains a significant presence in the Canadian wireless and internet markets.

The details

The report analyzed provider sign-up speeds and brand perception for individuals arriving in Canada from 2021 onwards. While Rogers-owned brands retain a 38 per cent share of the wireless market for this demographic, Bell has gained ground over the last two years.

The Strategic Council released the findings on October 8, 2026.
The study analyzed the behaviours of new arrivals in Canada from 2021 onwards.
Bell gained more new arrivals than Rogers over the last two years.

Roadmap

The intensifying competition for new Canadian subscribers mirrors broader industry efforts to capture high-growth customer segments. This rivalry marks a departure from historical stagnation, as major providers now prioritize rapid acquisition cycles to secure market dominance.

Recent arrivals may find an increasingly competitive landscape where providers offer aggressive sign-up incentives to secure their business within the first week. These efforts to capture new customers can lead to wider promotional availability for both wireless and home internet packages.

The takeaway

Newcomers to Canada should compare service offerings quickly as the majority of arrivals secure plans within their first week. Monitoring brand perception can help new residents identify which providers align best with their connectivity needs upon arrival.