Phone bill fees rise again across Canada’s big networks
Prices keep creeping up for folks switching to a new plan. Telus and its sub-brand Koodo have lifted their connection fee to 80 dollars. Rogers and its side brand followed suit a few months earlier. The pattern looks like a yearly refill on this add-on, not a one-off move. The trend has repeated itself, with hikes noted in August 2024 and again in July 2023. Telus says the fee covers in-store and call center upgrades and activations, but online orders usually dodge the charge.
Who charges what right now
Telus and Koodo set the connection fee at 80 dollars. This charge covers the work done in stores and call centers for upgrades and activations. Online purchases are typically free of this fee. In May, Bell pushed its connection fee up to 75 dollars. Another player, a Videotron-backed carrier, sits at 45 dollars. Rogers has not stayed still either, lifting its fee in the recent past, though the exact amount wasn’t listed in the latest update.
There’s a clear pattern here. The big three groups in Canadian wireless often nudge the fee up by about 5 to 10 dollars each year. That streak has held since 2013, with small bumps becoming the norm. The aim seems simple: cover the cost of enabling a new or moved service in physical stores and through call centers.
Source: Telus, Koodo.
Why this trend sticks around
The fee rises aren’t rare in Canada. Carrier shops and support desks pay for the hands-on work of setting up a new line, swapping devices, or activating a plan. Over the years, these charges drift up as costs for staffing, training, and in-store tech climb. For many plans, the online path remains free of the extra fee, nudging customers toward digital channels if they want to skip the added cost.
If you’re watching your budget, it helps to know where the charges show up. The annual nudge isn’t a single event. It’s part of how the market handles in-person service and the costs that come with physical stores.
Smart moves to dodge the extra cost
If you’re switching plans soon, the fee can sting. Here are practical ways to keep it in check:
– Buy online whenever you can. Online activations tend to be free of the connection fee.
– Check for promotions that waive the fee. Some promos remove the charge for new activations or upgrades.
– Ask in-store staff about waivers. A friendly request during a sales conversation can yield a break, especially during promotions.
– Compare offers side by side. If one carrier waives the fee for a certain plan, it might still save you money overall.
– Plan your move during quieter times. If you time a switch with a sale or a promotional period, you might dodge the fee or at least soften its impact.
Being aware of when and where the fee shows up helps you stay in control. It’s often the small costs that add up the most when you’re moving to a new line or device.
What to expect next in the price game
Carriers tend to keep the fee as a standard option, then play with promotions and online deals to attract customers. The pattern isn’t a big surprise to anyone who watches the market. If you’re on the fence about a switch, plan ahead and shop around. Watch for online-only deals or any offer that waives the connection charge.
Right now, the trend shows these fees staying in the mix. A mix of in-store work, activation tasks, and the costs of keeping outlets open will push the price up slowly over time. Staying informed helps you decide the best route for your needs, whether that’s a switch, a downgrade, or sticking with your current plan a while longer.
If you’re juggling options, keep this in mind: the fee isn’t always the end goal. Total plan cost, device pricing, and promo timing can swing a deal much more than a single line item ever could.
This ongoing price movement will likely stay in the background as carriers balance costs with offers. Staying alert to promotions and channel-specific deals gives you the upper hand when you’re ready to switch.
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