Business Phone Plans: Mobile Data Is Getting Cheaper — So Why Are Cellular Expenses Still Rising?

Mobile connectivity has become more affordable, while the amount of data Canadians use continues to grow. For businesses, however, managing cellular expenses can still be complicated. So, if mobile data is getting cheaper, why can a company’s cellular bill continue to grow? And how can businesses make sure their business phone plans are actually aligned with what their teams need?

Canada’s Mobile Market Is Changing

The Canadian telecommunications market has changed significantly over the past several years. According to the Canadian Telecommunications Market Report 2026, published by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the mobile service price index declined by nearly 40% between the beginning of 2021 and 2025, even as overall inflation increased.

At the same time, Canadians are using more mobile data than ever. The CRTC reports that the share of mobile subscribers with plans offering 50 GB or more of data has more than tripled since 2022, while average monthly data consumption has more than doubled since 2020.

The change is easy to see in the cost of mobile data.

For example, the CRTC's data shows that the average monthly price of a 100 GB plan fell from $170.39 in January 2021 to $68.80 in September 2025. A 50 GB plan fell from $123.10 to $52.80 over the same period.

That means businesses today can potentially get significantly more mobile data for their money than they could several years ago. But there is another side to the equation.

Why Can Business Cellular Bills Still Increase?

The price of a gigabyte is only one part of a company's cellular expenses.

A business may have dozens or hundreds of employees, different data requirements, multiple device types, roaming requirements, upgrades, financing arrangements and different contract terms. As a result, the total cost of a business cell phone plan can increase even when the underlying cost of mobile data is falling.

For example:

• Employees may have more data than they actually use.

• Some lines may have plans that no longer match current usage.

• International roaming can create unexpected charges.

• Devices and device financing can represent a significant part of the monthly bill.

• Businesses may continue paying for lines that are no longer needed.

• Contract terms and promotions can make comparing plans difficult.

• Managing multiple carriers, devices and employee requests can consume valuable staff time.

  
  

The CRTC itself notes that while mobile plan prices have become less expensive, Canadians are spending more on mobile services and devices because they are choosing plans with larger data allowances and facing higher device costs.

For businesses, this creates an important distinction: A lower price per GB does not automatically mean a lower cellular bill.

The Challenge With Business Phone Plans

Finding the right business phone plans in Canada is not simply about finding the lowest advertised monthly price. The right plan depends on how your organization actually uses its mobile services. A small company with five employees may have completely different requirements from a company managing 50, 150 or 500 lines.

Some employees may need only a modest amount of data. Others may regularly use mobile data for travel, field work, video calls or remote access to business systems.

Some employees may need international roaming. Others may never use it. That is why choosing small business phone plans, corporate phone plans or business cell phone plans should start with actual usage rather than assumptions.

From Business Phone Contracts to Day-to-Day Management

The challenge doesn't stop after selecting a plan. Businesses also have to manage the ongoing administration of their cellular services. Adding a line, changing a data package, arranging roaming, replacing a device, checking an invoice or dealing with a contract can take time. For a business managing dozens or hundreds of employees, these small tasks can quickly become a significant administrative burden.

Optimize Your Business Cellular Expenses With 8760

This is where 8760 Cellular Management Services comes in to change the game. We simplify your cellular administration, optimize your corporate phone plans (supporting 500+ lines), and streamline connectivity!

We start with a free cellular bill checkup to identify where you are overpaying—this is where cost optimization begins. From an individual line to an entire corporation, our approach focuses on data-driven strategies built around your needs.

We ensure you never overpay for unused data, have roaming turned on in time, upgrade with brand-new devices at unbeatable market prices, and spend minutes instead of hours getting immediate support.

Flexibility, customization and cost control—that is what 8760 Cellular Management Services is all about. From our experience, cellular bill optimization can deliver estimated savings of approximately 20% for business clients, although actual savings vary depending on the organization's existing plans, usage and number of lines.

Is Your Business Phone Plan Still Working for You?

Mobile data has become more affordable. Data allowances have increased. Connectivity is more important than ever. But without regular review, a business can still pay for services it does not need—or spend valuable employee time managing them.

A quick review of your cellular bill can help you understand where your business stands and where opportunities may exist.

Take control of your cellular expenses with 8760.

Visit 8760.ca/cellular to request your free cellular bill review.

Source

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canadian Telecommunications Market Report 2026. The report includes data on mobile plan prices, data usage, mobile service affordability, competition and network coverage. Read the full report here:  https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/policymonitoring/2026/ctmr.htm