Freedom Mobile to Build Wireless Network in Manitoba by 2026

Freedom Mobile has announced plans to construct a new wireless network in Manitoba, with construction set to begin next year. This development aligns with commitments made by the Toronto-headquartered company when it entered the province in 2024. At that time, Pierre Karl Péladeau, CEO of Quebecor Inc.—Freedom’s parent company—indicated that the company would invest at least $200 million into the network.

In a news release issued on Monday, Freedom Mobile did not provide further details regarding the construction timeline or operational specifics. However, Péladeau visited Winnipeg over the weekend and met with Premier Wab Kinew to discuss the anticipated network and explore potential collaborations between Manitoba’s and Quebec’s film and television industries.

The rollout will commence in Winnipeg, eventually expanding throughout the province. So far, Freedom Mobile has invested over $35 million in acquiring wireless spectrum in Manitoba, which enables the establishment of its own network infrastructure.

Premier Kinew expressed optimism about the entry of Freedom Mobile into the market, stating, “More competition should lead to lower prices, so we welcome Freedom leaning into Manitoba.” Freedom Mobile began operations in Manitoba in spring 2024 as a mobile virtual network operator, leasing network access from established carriers such as Bell, Rogers, and Telus.

Due to high roaming fees, the company sought arbitration from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). These fees hindered Freedom Mobile from offering a competitive $34 per month plan for 50 gigabytes of data, which would have resulted in losses of about $20 per subscriber, according to Péladeau.

With the acquisition of wireless spectrum, the company is poised to build its own network, which will provide more affordable options for local consumers. Specific timelines for the network buildout remain uncertain.

In 2023, Quebecor acquired Freedom Mobile for $2.85 billion, following the acquisition of Shaw Communications by Rogers. Péladeau and Kinew also addressed potential collaborations between Manitoba-based productions and TVA, a Quebecor-owned broadcasting service, as well as initiatives related to the MELS campus, a prominent film production hub in Quebec.

Film production in Manitoba has seen significant investment, with $378.1 million generated in the 2024-25 period, according to a report by Manitoba Film & Music. During this timeframe, a total of 64 projects were initiated.

Quebecor reported revenue of $1.41 billion in its third quarter of this year, marking a 1.1 percent increase from the summer of 2024. The average revenue per mobile user across its brands, including Freedom and Fizz, was $35.05 in the third quarter, reflecting a 1.8 percent decline year-over-year. The decrease was attributed to higher promotional discounts, lower overage revenues, and a changing customer demographic.

With networks already established in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, Freedom Mobile is set to expand its footprint in Manitoba, bolstering competition in the region and providing consumers with more choices in mobile services.