Lucky Mobile is a Canadian prepaid mobile virtual network operator and a subsidiary of Bell Canada. Founded in December 2017, Lucky Mobile operates on the Bell Mobility network alongside fellow subsidiary Virgin Plus.[1] It targets the same market segment as discount mobile brands Chatr (owned by Rogers Communications) and Public Mobile (owned by Telus).[2]
History
After being announced on December 1, 2017, Lucky Mobile launched on December 4.[3] At launch, the network is available for users in 17 metro areas in Canada. The launch was viewed as a way for BCE to compete with the discount mobile brands Chatr and Public Mobile operated by its competitors Rogers Communications and Telus, respectively.[2] Like Chatr, Lucky Mobile offers a limited selection of low end smartphones for sale outright.[4] In March 2018, the carrier's service area expanded to include Saskatchewan and Manitoba.[5]
Network
Lucky Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator offering pre-paid calling, texting, and 3G and 4G throttled speed data running on Bell Mobility's 4G network with pre-paid plans in select Canadian markets.[4] In independent speed tests conducted in April 2018, although the Lucky Mobile network shows as 4G on users’ mobile phones, speed tests show maximum download speeds around 3 Mbps which would indicate that speeds on the Lucky Mobile network are indeed throttled.[6]
Customers with eSIM enabled smartphones and devices are able to purchase eSIM from Lucky mobile and connect to the network without a physical SIM card. [7]
Phones
Lucky Mobile carries five smartphones and one flip phone.[8]
Retail presence
Lucky Mobile SIM cards are sold in Visions Electronics, Walmart, Circle K, Glentel (T-Booth Wireless, Wireless Wave), The Source, Giant Tiger and Dollarama locations.[4] In addition, customers can also order cards by phone or on the company's website. At launch, the company does not operate any stand-alone locations.
