Mobile internet usage in Canada - Statistics & Facts

The mobile revolution has visibly reshaped the digital ecosystem and telecommunications landscape in Canada. As web-enabled smartphones and tablets have also become a portable gateway to the rest of the world, mobile usage is rapidly increasing throughout Canada, with more mobile devices finding their way into consumers’ hands than ever before. As of 2022, the number of mobile internet users in Canada stood at 28.44 million, and by 2028, Canada’s mobile population is projected to surpass 30 million users. While laptop and desktop computers are still the most used devices to navigate the internet, the share of web traffic from mobile phones fluctuated.

Cutting the cord: connectivity and mobile usage trends in Canada

The number of mobile subscribers in Canada has steadily increased over the last few years. In the third quarter of 2023, around 34.6 million Canadians were subscribed to wireless services. Canadians are also going wireless to browse the web: mobile internet user penetration in Canada currently stands at an all-time high of 93.6 percent, and this gradual switch from desktop to mobile is increasingly showing in Canada’s online traffic. By 2025, Canada is expected to report a 45 percent adoption rate of 5G mobile connections, which are projected to account for approximately half of all mobile connections in the country.

What are the most popular mobile activities in Canada?

According to a survey of mobile users in Canada conducted in 2022, over half of respondents reported accessing the internet more often when on their mobile devices. But what are the main activities and functionalities that make mobile phones such an important part of Canadians’ daily lives? In line with North American and global digital trends, social media, emails, and instant messaging were the leading mobile internet activities in Canada. Canada’s social media usage has seen particularly strong growth in recent years, as the ever-increasing selection of available apps and platforms continues to excite and engage online users of many ages.

Mobile app usage in Canada

In 2022, users in Canada spent 4.38 hours per day engaging with mobile apps, up by less than five percent compared to the previous year, when the daily consumption was around 4.20 hours. According to a recent Canadian consumer survey, internet browser apps and e-mail services were the most popular app categories in Canada. Social media and gaming were also among the most used app categories in the country, recording a penetration rate of 61 percent and 50 percent among smartphone users, respectively. Facebook continues to be the leading social media website in Canada. Despite Meta-branded apps dominating the rankings, in 2022, user engagement with TikTok experienced an increase compared to the previous year, with mobile users in Canada spending an average of 25.5 hours per month on the social video app.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Laura Ceci, Nov 7, 2023

Key insights

Mobile internet users in Canada in 2022
35.93m
Mobile internet usage rate in Canada in 2022
93.59%
Daily time spent using apps in Canada in 2022
4.38hrs
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