Bell’s 5G+ Advanced Launch and the Race to Connect Every Corner of the Country
Canada is at the threshold of a new age of connectivity. On March 5, 2026, Bell Canada announced the rollout of 5G+ Advanced, described as the fastest and most advanced wireless network yet for Canadians. This is not just about faster phone speeds; this is about the fact that Canada’s network infrastructure is no longer just a necessity, but a smart and forward-thinking technology.
What Exactly Is 5G+ Advanced?
Bell’s latest innovation in tech involves their latest breakthrough in 5G SA Core Tech, in combination with their latest spectrum rollout. This allows for speeds up to 4.3 Gbps, a clear step up from last year’s 5G speeds. Of course, it’s not just about the speeds, though those are certainly increased. There are also reduced latency, which is important in crowded arenas, venues, and even city streets.
For the average consumer, it means better 4K streaming, cloud gaming, and even video calling and AR experiences. Of course, the real story is far bigger than that. This could open up a whole new world of possibility for businesses, healthcare, and even app developers in Canada.
Who Can Use It and Where
Bell is expanding its 5G+ Advanced network to the GTA, as well as extending its reach into Niagara, which is one of the fastest-growing regions in Ontario. To make it easy for customers to upgrade their devices, Bell has clearly marked compatible devices with a special “5G+ Advanced” logo in-store and online.
The flagship 5G+ Advanced-enabled smartphones include Apple iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, and iPhone 16 series, as well as Samsung Galaxy S25, S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip, and Fold 6. There are also Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series devices. This represents a significant number of high-end smartphones that Canadians already own, which means that Bell customers have access to 5G+ Advanced without having to purchase new handsets. Bell is making a strategic move by making 5G+ Advanced not just an optional upgrade, but the new standard in modern mobile technology.
The Bigger Picture — Canada’s Connectivity Push
Bell’s entry is also timely for Canada as they look to achieve their own digital aspirations. Bell is arriving at a time when Canada is redoubling their efforts to ensure that universal broadband is available for every home. The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion initiative by the Canadian government to ensure that every home in Canada is connected to high-speed internet by the end of 2026. However, their ultimate aim is to ensure that universal broadband is available across the country by 2030.
This money is being spent effectively. In January 2026, the government announced that they will invest more than $11 million in connecting 1,922 homes in 28 rural and northern communities in Saskatchewan. This will ensure that more than 200 Indigenous homes are connected to high-speed internet. In January 2026, a joint initiative by the Canadian and Saskatchewan governments revealed their intentions to ensure that more than 82,500 homes in Alberta are connected to high-speed internet. These initiatives will be carried out by national, regional, cooperative, and Indigenous service providers to ensure that communities that have been left behind will also benefit from this initiative.
Canada has set a benchmark for itself to ensure that every home is connected to at least 50 Mbps in terms of download speed and 10 Mbps in terms of upload speed. However, in Saskatchewan, this benchmark is already being met. 85.7% of their population is already able to access this speed, compared to 45% in 2017. However, there is still a lot to be done to ensure that this is available across Canada by the end of 2026.
Competition, Spectrum, and Regulatory Momentum
The federal government has introduced a new auction of the spectrum, one that aims to improve competition and increase the deployment of 5G technology in unserved areas. For the first time, the licenses being sold are not just that; you have to actually do something with them. You have to provide service to Canadians, not just buy a license and do nothing with it.
This is important because, time and time again, Canada has been criticized for not being able to keep up with other countries, like the United States, South Korea, and various countries in Europe, in terms of the adoption and deployment of 5G technology. Not only that, but because of our vast geography, which makes us the second-largest country in the world, building out our infrastructure is difficult. But with the regulatory environment and the competition between Rogers, Telus, Bell, Videotron, and others, things are definitely moving in the right direction.
AI-Native Networks and the Road Toward 6G
What makes Bell’s 5G+ Advanced launch noteworthy is that it’s being marketed as a bridge to 6G technology. That’s because there’s a fundamental shift underway in the global telecom industry, the likes of which KPMG Canada’s technology, media, and telecommunications team pointed to in their assessment of this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: “Telecom is moving decisively from connectivity to intelligence.”
At MWC 2026, leaders in Canada and around the world have been witness to the dawn of AI-native network technology, where networks aren’t just built to move information but to learn, adapt, and optimize themselves in real-time. Agentic AI plays a key role in network planning, operation, security, and customer service. For telecom companies, this means more efficient and streamlined operations with fewer network outages. For consumers, it means smarter network technology that can sense demand spikes and automatically respond to meet that demand.
In terms of economic benefit, the growth of 5G technology in Canada will result in a US$40 billion boost to the country’s GDP every year by 2026. In addition, it will also create around 250,000 jobs in the country.
The End of 3G and the Pruning of Legacy Infrastructure
As Canada’s carriers advance forward, they’re also clearing the old to make way for the new. Bell Canada completed the shutdown of its 3G/HSPA network in Manitoba by the end of 2025. Telus also completed the shutdown of its 3G network in Winnipeg and Brandon by March 31, 2026. Rogers and Freedom Mobile have also aligned their shutdown to this similar national timeline.
These network shutdowns aren’t just symbolic. They’re meaningful. They free up valuable low and mid-band spectrum that can be used immediately to improve the quality of 4G LTE and 5G service, especially in rural and suburban areas where network availability may be lacking. For consumers still using 3G-only devices, this means that they will need to upgrade to a new device that’s capable of operating on 4G LTE and includes Voice over LTE (VoLTE) to ensure that they can still make and receive calls.
What This Means for Canadians in 2026
So, Canada’s network journey in 2026 is really about pulling closer together. Our city centers are experiencing connectivity speeds that are comparable to some of the top markets in the world, while our rural and remote communities, from the prairies in Saskatchewan to the forests in northern BC, are finally joining the mainstream of connectivity with multi-billion-dollar investments from both sides, government and industry. Let’s imagine a Canadian who works from home in a hybrid model, working from a high-rise office in downtown Toronto. With 5G+ Advanced, their cloud-based collaboration and video call experience is seamless, even while on the move. Let’s imagine a small business owner in rural Alberta. With fast broadband, they can compete in real-time in the digital market, without needing to drive an hour just to get a decent signal. Canada’s network upgrade is happening right now. It’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it’s moving in a clear direction at a speed we wouldn’t have thought possible just five years ago. What we’re building today will support Canada’s digital economy, healthcare, and public services for generations to come.