How to Activate a Prepaid SIM in Ottawa: What to Bring & How Long It Takes
New SIM, new number or keeping your old one: here's exactly what to bring, what happens at the counter, and the one mistake that can cost you your phone number.
Quick answer
Bring an unlocked phone, a payment method for your first month and, if you're keeping your number, your account number from your current provider and the name on that account. Don't cancel your old plan first. A new-number activation takes minutes; moving your number from another wireless provider should be done within 2.5 business hours under CRTC rules. At Hotspot Mobile Repairs, an Authorised Prepaid Dealer on Bronson Avenue, we activate Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Chatr, Fido Prepaid, Koodo Prepaid and more.
- Your phone must be unlocked. Phones sold in Canada since December 1, 2017 must be sold unlocked.
- Keeping your number? Bring your current account number, and don't cancel the old plan first.
- CRTC rules: a simple wireless-to-wireless number transfer within 2.5 business hours; landline to wireless up to two business days.
- New-number activations at our counter usually take just minutes.
Prepaid plans are the simplest way to get a phone number in Canada: no contract, no credit check, and you pay before you use. Activating one takes a few minutes if you bring the right things. Here's how it works at our counter on Bronson Avenue, and anywhere else.
What to bring
- Your phone, unlocked. Since December 1, 2017, the CRTC has required that newly purchased phones be provided unlocked, and that customers can have existing phones unlocked free on request. Older phones, or phones bought abroad, may still be locked. See our unlocking guide.
- Payment for your first month. Prepaid means you pay up front.
- If you're keeping your number: your account number with your current provider (it's on your bill or in their app) and the name on that account.
- Photo ID, in case the activation asks for it.
New number or keep your old one?
A new number
The quickest option. We activate the SIM or eSIM, you pick a plan, and you're connected, usually within minutes.
Keeping your number (porting)
Moving your number is called porting. You start it with the new provider, which contacts your old one. Under CRTC rules, a simple transfer from one wireless provider to another should be done within 2.5 business hours, and a landline number moving to a cellphone (or back) within two business days. The CRTC's number transfer page explains the rules.
Don't cancel your old plan first. Cancelling can release your number before it's transferred. The port itself closes the old account.
Physical SIM or eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone, set up by scanning a QR code or through the provider's app. Many newer phones support it, and many prepaid brands now offer it. A physical SIM works in any unlocked phone with a SIM tray. If your phone supports both, you can even keep a SIM from home for banking codes while using a Canadian prepaid line, which is handy for newcomers; see our guide for newcomers and students.
Which prepaid brand should you pick?
We activate Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Chatr, Fido Prepaid, Koodo Prepaid and more. They run on different national networks and differ in how you get support and top up. Our comparison of prepaid brands in Ottawa explains the differences without the sales pitch.
After activation: top-ups and renewals
Prepaid plans renew when you pay. Most brands let you set up automatic payments online or in their app, or you can top up with a voucher. We sell top-ups and plan renewals in store too.
If something goes wrong
If a transfer stalls or you're billed for something you didn't agree to, contact the provider first. If it isn't resolved, the CCTS, an independent organization that handles complaints about Canadian telecom providers, may be able to help. And if your phone itself needs fixing while you're here, most repairs at our shop take 30 to 60 minutes; see what we can fix the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to activate a prepaid SIM?
A new number usually takes just minutes at our counter. If you're bringing your number from another wireless provider, the CRTC standard is 2.5 business hours for a simple transfer, and it's often faster.
Can I keep my phone number when I switch to prepaid?
Yes. Bring your account number with your current provider and the name on that account. Don't cancel your old service first, because cancelling can release your number; the transfer closes the old account for you.
Do I need a credit check for a prepaid plan?
No, prepaid plans are paid in advance, so they don't need a credit check. That's one reason they're popular with students and newcomers.
Can I use an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card?
Many newer phones support eSIM, and many prepaid brands now offer it. Tell us your phone model and preferred brand and we'll confirm before you activate.
Which prepaid brands can you activate?
As an Authorised Prepaid Dealer, we activate, port in and top up Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Chatr, Fido Prepaid, Koodo Prepaid and more.
Sources & further reading
- CRTC puts an end to locked cellphones and unlocking fees — CRTC (Canada.ca)
- Switch providers and keep your number — CRTC
- The Wireless Code, simplified — CRTC
- Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services — CCTS
Prices and details were checked on September 27, 2026. They can change; call us for today's price.
