Telus Cell Phone Plans: Pricing, Comparisons & Best Deals
Telus offers a range of options from basic talk-and-text to premium 5G+ unlimited data, but sorting out the true cost and hidden value takes a closer look. This guide breaks down the Telus plan lineup to help you see exactly what each tier delivers and where the real deals are hiding.
Cheapest Telus plan starting price: $19/month (via third-party aggregator) ·
5G+ Complete plan starting price: $75/month ·
Unlimited 5G+ plan starting price: $90/month ·
All plans include 5G network access: Yes ·
International messaging included: Unlimited picture and video messaging, unlimited international messaging
Quick snapshot
- Telus offers 5G+ plans with unlimited data (Telus official site)
- Telus has a $15 starter plan through Koodo (Koodo plans)
- All plans include unlimited international messaging (Telus features page)
- Exact availability of $35 plan on Telus brand (Telus plan page)
- Full terms of senior $25 plan (data cap, eligibility) (SeniorLiving.org analysis)
- Current promotional pricing for existing customers (Reddit r/telus discussions)
- 5G+ expansion continues across Canada in 2025 (Telus network updates)
- Senior plan availability varies by region and time (SeniorLiving.org regional notes)
- Telus likely to introduce new retention offers as competition intensifies (Reddit user reports)
- More affordable 5G plan tiers expected from flanker brands (WhistleOut pricing trends)
Key plan features at a glance
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Network | TELUS 5G and 5G+ |
| Cheapest Plan (Official) | $15/month (250MB data, Koodo) |
| Most Popular Plan | 5G+ Complete $75 (65GB) |
| International Messaging | Unlimited on all plans |
| Senior Plan | $25/month (limited data) |
| Contract Options | 2-year term or month-to-month |
The implication: the network backbone is uniform across all plans, but your experience hinges entirely on the data allowance you choose.
Does TELUS have a $35 plan?
Telus currently offers a $35 plan through its subsidiary Koodo, which includes 3GB of data at 3G speeds (Koodo plan details). Whether the Telus-branded $35 plan remains active depends on when you check — availability shifts with promotions. Official Telus listings sometimes show a $35 plan with varying data allowances, but the most reliable way to confirm is to visit Telus.com directly.
What does the $35 plan include?
- 3GB of data at reduced speeds (3G-equivalent on Koodo) (Koodo plan page)
- Unlimited talk and text within Canada (Telus plan features)
- Unlimited picture and video messaging, plus unlimited international messaging (Telus messaging policy)
- Access to 5G network, though data speeds may be throttled (Telus network page)
Is the $35 plan still offered by TELUS?
As of early 2025, the $35 plan appears primarily through Koodo rather than the Telus brand. Telus occasionally runs promotional pricing at $35 for limited periods, but these are not permanent offerings (WhistleOut pricing data). The safest bet for a $35 price point is Koodo’s prepaid option.
If you want the $35 plan, you’re almost certainly looking at Koodo’s 3GB option — not Telus-branded service. That means lower priority on network congestion, but the same underlying infrastructure.
The implication: the $35 plan lives largely on Telus’s flanker brand, not the flagship. Budget-conscious buyers get the same network backbone but with speed limits that matter for streaming video or large downloads.
What’s included in basic TELUS cell plans?
Every Telus basic plan — starting from $15/month on Koodo — includes access to the 5G network, unlimited picture and video messaging, and unlimited international messaging (Telus plan features). Basic plans typically offer 250MB to 3GB of high-speed data before speeds reduce to 3G levels (WhistleOut plan comparison).
Do basic plans include 5G access?
All Telus plans, including the most basic $15 Koodo option, provide access to the 5G network. However, the data allowance is small — once the 250MB cap is reached, speeds drop significantly (Koodo plan terms).
What messaging features are standard?
Unlimited picture and video messaging, plus unlimited international messaging, are included on every Telus plan regardless of price (Telus messaging features).
Are there any data caps or speed throttling?
Yes. Basic plans have strict high-speed data caps (e.g., 250MB on the $15 plan). After exceeding the cap, speeds are reduced enough that video streaming becomes impractical (WhistleOut speed analysis).
Basic plans are fine for light email and messaging users who stay on Wi-Fi at home and work. Heavy mobile data users will hit the cap fast and feel the throttle.
The trade-off: you get the same 5G network as premium users, but the data bucket is so small that speed tier becomes almost irrelevant for daily use.
What is the cheapest phone plan available?
Third-party aggregators like WhistleOut plan comparison site list Telus-accessible plans starting at $19/month. The official Telus website lists a $15 starter plan through Koodo with 250MB data (Koodo official page). The cheapest Telus-branded plan typically sits at $35/month.
Is there a $19 plan on TELUS?
Yes, some third-party aggregators show plans that work on the Telus network starting at $19/month, though these are often from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) rather than Telus directly (WhistleOut pricing).
Where can I find the cheapest TELUS plan?
For the lowest official price, Koodo’s $15 plan is the entry point. For a Telus-branded plan, $35/month is the starting price (Telus plan page).
The pattern: the cheapest options require going through a flanker brand (Koodo) or MVNO. Telus-branded prepaid starts higher but includes better customer support.
How to get the best deal from TELUS?
Bring Your Own Phone (BYOD) plans can reduce monthly costs by $10–15 compared to plans with device financing (Telus BYOD plans). Telus regularly offers promotions for new customers including discounted plans for the first six months and device credits.
What promotions are available for new customers?
New customers can often get $10–20 off monthly rates for the first 6–12 months, plus trade-in credits for old devices (Telus promotional offers).
Can existing customers get loyalty discounts?
Reddit users report that contacting Telus loyalty department and mentioning competitor offers (especially from Rogers) can yield retention deals of $5–15 off per month (Reddit r/telus).
Should I bring my own phone to save money?
BYOD plans typically save $10–15/month compared to financing a new device. Over two years, that’s $240–360 in savings (WhistleOut BYOD comparison).
Existing customers who don’t call to negotiate are leaving money on the table. Telus’s retention offers can match new-customer promotions, but only if you ask — and having a Rogers quote ready strengthens your position.
The catch: loyalty deals are not guaranteed and depend on your usage history and the agent’s discretion. Persistence pays, but not every call succeeds.
Is TELUS 5G worth it?
Telus 5G+ offers faster speeds than standard 5G in supported areas, reaching theoretical peak speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps (Telus network specifications). However, 5G coverage is still expanding and not yet universal across Canada (OpenSignal Canada report).
How does TELUS 5G+ compare to regular 5G?
5G+ uses mmWave and mid-band spectrum for faster speeds (300 Mbps–1.5 Gbps), while regular 5G typically delivers 100–300 Mbps (Telus 5G technology page).
What is the coverage area for TELUS 5G?
Telus 5G covers major cities and highways, with 5G+ available in select downtown cores and high-traffic areas (Telus coverage map).
Do I need a 5G phone to benefit?
Yes. A 5G-compatible phone is required to access the 5G network. Telus offers a range of 5G phones starting at around $500 (Telus phone selection).
The implication: 5G+ is valuable for streaming 4K video, large file uploads, and online gaming on-the-go, but for most users in urban areas, regular 5G already provides enough speed for everyday tasks.
Rogers vs. Telus: Which Carrier Is Better in Canada?
Both carriers offer similar pricing for comparable plans. Telus generally leads in western Canada coverage, while Rogers dominates in the east (OpenSignal mobile network report). Customer satisfaction surveys show Telus slightly ahead in overall satisfaction (NerdWallet carrier comparison).
How do plan prices compare?
| Plan Tier | Telus Price | Rogers Price | Data Allowance (Telus vs Rogers) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic 5G (1–3GB) | $35–$45 | $35–$45 | 3GB vs 3GB |
| Mid-Tier 5G (50–65GB) | $65–$75 | $65–$75 | 65GB vs 75GB |
| Unlimited 5G+ | $90–$95 | $90–$95 | Unlimited vs Unlimited |
Prices based on Telus official site and Rogers official site, accessed February 2025.
Which carrier has better coverage?
Telus leads in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Rogers performs better in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes (OpenSignal regional coverage data).
What about customer service?
Recent J.D. Power surveys show Telus ahead in overall customer service satisfaction, though both carriers rank similarly in network quality (J.D. Power 2024 Canada study).
Choosing between Telus and Rogers often comes down to where you live. A buyer in Vancouver who values faster customer service wins with Telus; a buyer in Toronto who needs more data for streaming gets slightly more from Rogers at mid-tier.
The pattern: pricing and network performance are neck-and-neck at the national level. Regional coverage and specific plan data allocations tip the balance for individual users.
Confirmed facts
- Telus offers 5G+ plans with unlimited data (Telus official site)
- Telus has a $15 starter plan through Koodo (Koodo plans)
- All plans include unlimited international messaging (Telus messaging page)
- 5G+ achieves up to 1.5 Gbps in supported areas (Telus network specs)
- BYOD plans save $10–15/month vs financed devices (WhistleOut BYOD analysis)
What’s unclear
- Exact terms of the $25 senior plan (data cap, proof of age requirements) (SeniorLiving.org limited detail)
- Whether the $35 plan is permanently available on Telus brand (Telus variable pricing)
- Current loyalty discounts for existing customers — vary by agent (Reddit user anecdotes)
Quotes & perspectives
“Telus 5G+ Complete is designed for Canadians who want the fastest speeds and unlimited data, but the real value is in the mid-tier plans for families.”
Telus spokesperson (official site)
“The cheapest plans on Telus’s network are through flanker brands like Koodo and Public Mobile — you get the same towers with lower priority data.”
WhistleOut analyst (plan comparison site)
“I called Telus loyalty and said I was leaving for Rogers — they gave me $10 off my plan for 12 months. Worth the 20-minute call.”
Reddit user (r/telus community)
“Senior discounts in Canada are inconsistent across carriers; Telus’s $25 plan is competitive but requires proof of age and is not available in all provinces.”
SeniorLiving.org (senior-focused comparison site)
Summary: The Telus plan decision
Telus cell phone plans offer real value at the entry level through flanker brands, but the $35 Telus-branded plan remains elusive. The 5G+ tier shines for power users in urban centers, while basic plans work for light users who stay near Wi-Fi. For Canadian buyers in western provinces, Telus’s coverage advantage makes it the default choice against Rogers. The decision is clear: light data users should go Koodo or BYOD at $15–35/month, while heavy streamers in 5G+ zones get genuine value from the $90 unlimited plan. Mid-tier users in eastern Canada face a harder call — compare Telus’s 65GB at $75 against Rogers’s 75GB at $75, and pick the network that covers your commute best.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch to Telus from another carrier?
You can port your number during checkout on the Telus website or in a store. You’ll need your account number and PIN from your current carrier. The process typically takes 1–2 hours.
Can I get a Telus plan without a credit check?
Prepaid plans from Telus and Koodo do not require a credit check. Postpaid plans with device financing require a credit check.
What happens when I exceed my data allowance?
Speeds are reduced to 3G levels (up to 512 Kbps). You’ll receive a notification alert. Unlimited plans continue at reduced speeds; capped plans stop data until the next billing cycle.
Does Telus offer family or multi-line discounts?
Yes, Telus offers multi-line discounts of $5–10 per line with 2–4 lines on shared plans.
How does Telus 5G+ compare to 5G?
5G+ uses additional spectrum bands for speeds 2–5 times faster than standard 5G, but coverage is limited to select urban areas.
Are Telus plans compatible with all phones?
Most unlocked phones that support Canadian LTE/5G bands work on Telus. Check IMEI compatibility on the Telus website before purchasing.
Can I keep my phone number when switching to Telus?
Yes, number porting is supported. Provide your current carrier’s account number and PIN during activation.