Rogers Canada network review

Rogers Communications was the first Canadian company to recognize the potential of cellular technology, founding Cantel, now Rogers Wireless, in 1985.

Now, it's one of the most recognized providers in the country — no matter where you are in Canada, you can sign up for Rogers.

Rogers, unlike Bell, doesn't seem to alter its prices or offerings depending on your location. That means that if you suddenly move from Toronto to Vancouver, you'll still be able to rely on the same services you're used to.

So, is worth it? Have a look at our breakdown of the network and decide for yourself if Rogers plans are right for you.

Rogers Network

Rogers uses HSPA+ and LTE networks throughout Canada.

Rogers was the first Canadian carrier to operate a 3G HSPA network in 2006. In 2009, it upgraded to HSPA+ and now operates on 850 MHz in all of the provinces (but not the territories). Currently, Rogers allows download speeds of up to a theoretical 21 Mbit/s.

Rogers launched its LTE network in 2011, and at the end of 2016 announced that LTE could reach 95 percent of Canadians.

That's all well and good, but you probably want to know what kinds of Rogers plans you can get on that network.

Rogers mobile rates

First, let's look at cell service (that's probably why you're here, right?). Keep in mind that with any of these phone plans, your first invoice will include a $25 connection fee.

Talk and text plans

Want to keep things simple? There are plans to keep you covered. Not everyone needs data, after all. For some phone owners, a good old-fashioned voice call will do, or a text here and there when absolutely necessary (I'm thinking of my dad here).

Rogers has two standard talk and text options. You can go with unlimited local calls and messaging for $35 per month, or go Canada wide for $40 per month. Those rates apply month to month, but with a two-year contract, you'll get major discounts on smartphones, or get a free flip phone — you won't need much more than that if you're only using talk and text.

Bring-your-own-device smartphone plans

If you're looking for data too, Rogers has a pretty user-friendly site. The simplest option is always to bring in your own phone, as that will keep you free from a contract. Paying month to month lets you walk away if a better deal comes along elsewhere.

For a simple 1 GB plan that gives you unlimited local calls, you're looking at $80 per month. An extra $5 per month on any plan will bump you up to unlimited Canada-wide calling. Unlimited messaging is included either way.

If you need more data, jumping up to 2 GB will cost $85 per month, and 5 GB will cost you $100 per month. These go all the way up to 80 GB for $405 per month.

Every smartphone plan above comes with a free six-month subscription to Spotify.

These are all "Share Everything" plans, which means you get to choose whether you keep your monthly data to yourself or split it across multiple devices. This can potentially save you a lot of money if your friends and family also have Rogers plans, or if you have a tablet.

Rogers does offer one non-share plan that includes just 500 MB of data. That's $60 per month for the local-calling option and $65 per month for Canada wide.

Tab smartphone plans

If you don't have your own phone and don't want to drop hundreds of dollars on one, you can also go with a Rogers tab.

For an extra monthly fee, your tab plan allows you to get a free device, or a heavily discounted one. The only catch is you have to sign up for a two-year contract.

For example, that 1 GB plan with unlimited local calls goes up to $105 per month (from $80), with a "Premium+ Tab," but you can get a Samsung Galaxy S8 for free, or an S9 for $249.

Rogers internet rates

Rogers helpfully breaks down its internet offerings to help you match your lifestyle. Do you live alone and use the internet primarily to check your emails? Are you a family of five struggling to keep track of how much content your kids are downloading? Rogers makes it easy.

There are lighter usage plans:

Or the more heavy-duty plans. The ones that will appeal to gamers, cinephiles, and households with kids or multiple roommates:

Rogers TV

And finally, the Rogers service of my childhood: cable TV.

Rogers offers a 35-channel starter package for $24.99 per month. This gives you the basics, like CBC, Global, Fox, City, and more.

After that, you get three bundle options. Select gives you local and network TV, live sports, and one bonus channel of your choice for $49.99 per month. Popular offers everything from Select, but with movies, sports, and kids channels, as well as one bonus channel for $74.99 per month. Finally, Premier gives you everything in Popular plus a wide selection of movie and lifestyle channels, along with one bonus channel, for $99.99 per month.

The exact channels you get will very depending on which province or territory you're in, and even on whether your TV is HD or SD, so check the offerings wherever you are before you commit.

Final thoughts

As with Bell, there are Rogers plans to suit just about everyone. But they're not cheap. Then again, also like Bell, you can get bundle deals if you get multiple services on a single bill.

You definitely get peace of mind when you go with a major provider, but if you're willing to shop around, you can just about always find something cheaper.

What do you think? Have you had particularly good or bad experiences with Rogers? Let us know in the comments.

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