Do I need to change my plan or buy a new phone to get Koodo’s free 1Gbps speed boost?
Table of Contents
Koodo just hit 1Gbps 5G, but existing users face a 6-month wait. Find out why your software—not just your phone—is the key to getting this free speed boost.
Key Takeaways
What: Koodo is boosting 5G speeds to 1Gbps on all Pick Your Perk plans at no additional cost.
Why: This update matches flanker brand competitors and supports high-demand activities like 4K streaming and remote work.
How: New subscribers receive immediate access, while existing customers are upgraded automatically over six months, provided they have 5G hardware and current software.
Koodo recently bumped its 5G speed ceiling to 1Gbps, moving away from the previous 250Mbps limit to match the offerings of rivals like Fido and Virgin Plus. While the headline suggests a quick speed boost for everyone, the reality for current subscribers is more measured.
The Six-Month Queue for Current Users
If you already have a Koodo account, do not expect a speed test to hit 1Gbps today. While new sign-ups get the faster speeds immediately, Koodo is rolling out the upgrade to its current base over the next six months. Many people assume that a network upgrade requires a new SIM card or a manual plan change. In this case, the opposite is true: doing nothing is the correct path. Koodo is automating the transition on the backend, and manually switching plans won’t necessarily bypass the six-month rollout schedule.
One detail often overlooked is that hardware is only half the battle. You need a 5G-compatible phone, but Koodo specifically points out that “up-to-date software” is a mandatory requirement to access the 1Gbps speeds. If your device is running an older operating system version, you might stay capped at legacy speeds even after Koodo updates your account status.
The Removal of the Speed Boost Perk
This network update has also changed how Koodo structures its “Pick Your Perk” options. Previously, customers could select a “5G Speed Boost” that increased their data cap to 500Mbps. Since the new base speed is 1Gbps, Koodo has removed this specific perk from its lineup.
For users who used that perk slot for speed, this change frees up room for other features. You can now use that slot for options like Rollover Data, Premium Voicemail, or Easy Roam for U.S. and international travel. It is a rare instance where a provider removes a paid or incentivized feature because the standard service has finally surpassed it.
Performance Reality and Hardware Limits
Even with a 1Gbps cap, your actual experience will fluctuate. Factors like how close you are to a cell tower, environmental obstructions, and local network traffic will dictate your real-world speed. This upgrade effectively raises the “ceiling” of what is possible, but it doesn’t guarantee a consistent 1Gbps connection everywhere you go.
If you are still using a 4G LTE device, your service remains exactly the same. Koodo will continue to run its established LTE infrastructure for these devices, and you won’t be forced to buy a new phone or pay extra to maintain your current connection.
The Flanker Brand Landscape
By matching Fido and Virgin Plus at the 1Gbps mark, Koodo is closing a competitive gap that had left them behind for several weeks. This move is a strategic play by Telus to keep Koodo relevant for data-heavy tasks like high-definition streaming and remote work without cannibalizing the faster, more premium tiers reserved for Telus’s main brand.
While this upgrade provides more value for the same monthly price, it does not address every market demand. For instance, some smaller competitors have started including international roaming directly in their base plans—a feature Koodo still restricts to its perk system or daily add-on fees. For now, Koodo’s focus is on matching the raw speed of its primary peers while maintaining its current price points.