Canada has more brands than networks. Koodo is Telus, Fido is Rogers, Virgin Plus is Bell, Chatr and Lucky are flankers, and Videotron, SaskTel and TBayTel run their own regional cores. Two consequences: the free unlock under the CRTC Wireless Code belongs to the account holder only, and choosing the tier by the brand on the box — not the network — is the most common way to waste an order.
Every Canadian device is locked by an activation policy against the IMEI, released by the network that owns the record. A "Koodo" phone is released through the Telus record; a "Fido" phone through Rogers.
The CRTC Wireless Code makes unlocking free on request and requires devices to be sold unlocked — but it does not give a second-hand buyer the right to request it.
The phone is not damaged and it is not stolen by default: the manufacturer holds an activation policy against the IMEI that names the carrier the device may activate on. Until that record changes, every other SIM is refused at activation — Wi-Fi keeps working, which is why a locked handset can look perfectly healthy in a shop.
The CRTC Wireless Code requires carriers to unlock devices free of charge on request, as soon as practicable, and requires devices to be sold unlocked. Refusal is only allowed for reported devices or genuine fraud concerns.
The parent networks publish the same policy for their sub-brands; the sub-brand support line can submit the request, but the record and the release sit with the parent.
The current wording is always on the carrier’s page: CRTC Wireless Code — unlocking rules.
Second-hand Canadian devices are the usual case for the paid route: the law says the device must be unlocked, and the carrier still will only talk to the original owner. Pick the tier by parent network — Rogers/Fido, Telus/Koodo, Bell/Virgin/MTS, Videotron, SaskTel/TBayTel.
| Service | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Bell | Virgin | Solo Unlock Code - Samsung, Motorola & Generic | $1.50 | Samsung · Bell · Canada |
| Canada Telus | Koodo Unlock Code - Samsung, Motorola & Generic | $1.60 | Samsung · Telus · Canada |
| Canada Telus | Koodo Unlock Premium - All iPhones | $8 | Telus · Canada |
| Australia Optus/Virgin Unlock Code NCK - Samsung, Motorola & Generic | $12 | Samsung · Optus · Australia |
4 services in this guide. Prices are live; sign in for volume pricing.
Yes — the CRTC Wireless Code requires it, and carriers may not charge.
Not through the carrier. The paid tiers work from the IMEI.
No — Fido is released through the Rogers record.
No — Koodo is released through the Telus record.
Yes.
Last checked 2026-10-28. Carrier rules are summarised from the operators’ own pages; where a rule has changed since, the operator’s page wins.