Public Mobile / Lucky Mobile prepaid
Local prepaid- Network
- Public Mobile on TELUS, Lucky Mobile on Bell
- Price
- Monthly plans — check the official sites for current prices (Chinese comparison sites cite about C$15/month)
- Keeping the number
- Renew monthly. Without enough balance the line is suspended: Lucky Mobile (official) allows 120 days to pay, after which the account is deactivated and the number released; Public Mobile’s Service Terms (March 2026) permanently close accounts suspended for more than 90 days, or 58 days for a new activation that isn’t renewed after its first cycle.
- ID check
- Prepaid needs no ID, address or credit check — just a payment method
- SMS & calls
- No SMS outside Canada: Lucky Mobile has no roaming at all; Public Mobile offers only a US roaming add-on
Pros
- No ID, can be opened online
- Cheap if used only inside Canada
Watch out
- No SMS or verification codes while in China — not a keep-number option for receiving codes abroad
- Suspended for more than 90–120 days and the number is gone
Where to buy: publicmobile.ca, luckymobile.ca