Freedom Mobile to Establish Manitoba Wireless Network by 2026

Freedom Mobile has announced plans to construct a wireless network in Manitoba, starting in 2026. This initiative follows a commitment made by the company when it entered the province in March 2024. The Toronto-based telecommunications provider, which is a subsidiary of Quebecor Inc., had previously pledged to invest at least $200 million in the network.

The announcement was made following a news release issued on Monday afternoon, although Freedom Mobile did not provide immediate responses to questions regarding the specifics of the construction timeline. The rollout is set to commence in Winnipeg before expanding throughout the province.

During a recent visit to Winnipeg, Pierre Karl Péladeau, CEO of Quebecor, engaged in discussions with Premier Wab Kinew, focusing on the network construction and potential collaborations between Manitoba’s and Quebec’s film and television industries. Péladeau had attended the Grey Cup final while in the city and seized the opportunity to explore partnerships that could benefit both regions.

As part of its entry into Manitoba, Freedom Mobile has invested over $35 million in wireless spectrum. The company initially operated as a mobile virtual network operator, leasing access to the networks of larger providers such as Bell, Rogers, and Telus. However, hefty roaming fees hindered its ability to offer competitive plans, including a proposed $34 per month plan for 50 gigabytes of data. Péladeau indicated that these fees would result in significant losses per subscriber, prompting the company to seek arbitration from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The establishment of its own network allows Freedom Mobile to bypass these challenges and provide more affordable options to Manitobans. Kinew expressed optimism about the increased competition, stating, “More competition should lead to lower prices, so we welcome Freedom leaning into Manitoba.”

In 2023, Quebecor acquired Freedom Mobile for $2.85 billion, following the takeover of its previous owner, Shaw Communications, by Rogers. The introduction of this new network is expected to enhance the telecommunications landscape in Manitoba, which has seen significant growth in film production, with $378.1 million generated during the 2024-25 period.

Péladeau also discussed the potential for collaboration between Manitoba-based productions and TVA, a Quebecor-owned broadcaster, during his meeting with Premier Kinew. The conversation included the possibility of utilizing Quebecor’s MELS campus, a notable film production hub.

Quebecor recently reported a revenue of $1.41 billion for the third quarter of this year, reflecting a modest increase of 1.1 percent compared to the summer of 2024. The average revenue per mobile user, encompassing Freedom and its sister brand Fizz, was recorded at $35.05, marking a decrease of 1.8 percent year-over-year. This decline has been attributed to increased promotional discounts and a shift in customer demographics.

Freedom Mobile currently operates networks in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, and the infrastructure for these services was initially established by Shaw. With the planned network in Manitoba, Freedom aims to enhance its presence and offer more competitive services to its growing customer base.