Communications & Media, Thought Leadership

Examples of Referral Marketing at North American Telecoms Brands (2025)

Last Modified: 03/01/2025
13 min read

Author:
Alex Pandya - Marketing Manager

The North American telecommunications market is huge, with the United States market estimated to be worth US$412.4bn in 2021 and the Canadian market worth another US$44.3bn. These figures encompass a gamut of wireless, fixed-line and broadband as well as Pay-TV offers, with many incumbents offering all four services.

In the United States alone, there are reportedly 30 facilities based wireless providers and a further 50 MVNOs according to Wikipedia and the Competitive Carriers Association alone reportedly has 100 members. While there are several large national players such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast, Dish Network, Charter, Cox Communications etc., there’s also a plethora of local or regional communications providers, which is unsurprising given the sheer geographical size of the market. In Canada, while the addressable market is smaller, with only 38 million inhabitants to the 331 million in the United States, the telecommunications market is also competitive with Bell, Telus, Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor (Videotron) reportedly controlling 91% of the market.

While both markets are still growing, in part due to population growth, with Rogers recently announcing higher than expected revenue due to the increased number of potential subscribers, high competition is one of the factors cited in declining ARPUs in the United States and Canada over the past decade. Although, continued efforts to increase broadband penetration across the Continent and with the rollout of 5G services and M2M/IOT services, should see the total market continue to grow.

However, North American telecommunications brands face many of the same challenges facing their counterparts elsewhere, including huge CAPEX requirements to lay fiber and roll out 5G and 6G, and competition from players like WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom, and Google Meet, who can monetize internet traffic without the need to bear the costs of building and maintaining infrastructure. Against this backdrop, it’s not surprising that NOs and MVNOs in North America are looking to control ustomer acquisition costs (CAC) estimated to be as high as $315 per new customer a few years ago.

And one of the best ways of reducing CACs is to implement referral or member-get-member programs. And when you consider that our Referral Codebreakers research found that eight out of ten respondents said that they expect to be able to refer their favorite brands, and our Reward Revolution research found that 95% of respondents had referred at least one friend to a brand in the past year, then the potential of referral is plain to see.

And to illustrate just how prevalent they now are in telecommunications, we’ve listed 31 examples of programs across both the United States and Canada for you to consider. If you’d like to examples from outside North America, we’ve listed global 35 telecommunications programs in another article.

- 1. T-Mobile US
  A US subsidiary of the German telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom AG, T-Mobile became the third largest telecoms business in the United States by revenue in April 2020 when it acquired Sprint. Since 2013, T-Mobile has positioned itself as the Uncarrier, a telecommunications brand that abandoned self-serving practices and listened to customers, and fixed their pain points. As a result, T-Mobile now enjoys one of the highest NPS ratings in the whole industry, which makes it a perfect candidate to benefit from the positive word of mouth of its customers via referrals.
  
  The T-Mobile refer-a-friend program currently offers referrers and the referred-in friends $50 for every friend who joins on any plan, up to a maximum of $500/year.
  2. AT&T
  AT&T is a multinational telecommunications holding company based in Dallas, Texas. With the highest revenue in the telecommunications industry, it is the largest telecommunications company worldwide, and the third-largest provider of mobile phone services in the United States. As of 2022, AT&T had earned revenues of $168.8 billion, placing it at 13th on the Fortune 500 list of the largest corporations in the United States.
  Through their referral program, existing AT&T Fiber customers receive a $25 bill credit, with a maximum of 2 bill credits per month). The referred-in new fiber customers receives a $75 bill credit.
  3. Mint Mobile
  Often associated with its founder, the Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, Mint Mobile’s low-cost prepaid mobile phone service with low cost unlimited international calling and text plans with data packages of three, six or 12 months paid upfront have been very successful. So much so that T-Mobile US recently acquired Mint Mobil for US$1.35bn.
  Where previously their refer-a-friend program offered a US$15 renewal credit to both the referrer and the friend, with extra reward credits for each additional friend referred, Mint Mobile’s offer as 2023 ranges from $45 to $90 in credit, depending on the package that the friend purchases. There is a referral limit of 4 referrals per calendar year and the referred-in customer will receive a ¢15 credit reward.
  4. Bell Mobility
  Bell Mobility, a leading wireless telecommunications company in Canada, operates as a subsidiary of BCE Inc. With a vast customer base comprising millions of users, it is among the largest wireless service providers in the country. With its parent company BCE Inc., Bell Mobility stands as one of the prominent players among the “Big Three” telecommunications companies in Canada, alongside Rogers Communications and Telus. These industry giants collectively hold a substantial market share, solidifying their dominance in the Canadian telecoms market. BCE Inc. expands its operations beyond telecommunications, encompassing a number of sectors such as television, internet, and media assets.
  Bell introduced its consumer referral program in May 2023, inviting everyone to refer their friends and family (we note that the IP address appears to be geo-restricted). By participating, referrers have the opportunity to earn a $50 bill credit for each successful referral to Bell’s mobility services. This credit is applied as a $5 discount on the monthly bill for a duration of 10 months. The referred friend also receives the same reward benefit. There is a maximum of six referral rewards that can be stacked in a single month, amounting to a total discount of $30. Additionally, there is a further limit of $300 that can be earned within a ten-month period.
  5. Verizon
  Parent to Tracfone, Verizon is an American multinational telecommunications conglomerate based in New York. Founded in 1893, the company operates worldwide, though it mainly serves the United States.
  
  Their referral program is very similar to that of Tracfone (see below) with a text-to-signup system for existing customers. The points-based reward structure is exactly the same with 5,000 points for referral 1; for referral 2-4 it’s 6,000; and for 5 and above they’ll get 7,000. And the new customers will always get 5,000.
  
  6. Koodo
  Koodo is a subsidiary of Canada’s Telus in 2009, launched to target younger audiences with lower cost postpaid, prepaid, and wireless home phone offers. Unlike the offers from its parent company, Koodo does not have fixed term contracts.
  Their refers a friend program provides both referrer and referred-in friend with a C$25 account credit, up to a maximum of C$300 each year.
  7. Rogers
  Founded in 1960, Rogers provides wireless and residential telecoms and media to Canadian consumers and businesses nationwide.
  The Rogers refer-a-friend program offers a C$50 account credit to both the referrer and referred-in friend for each referral, up to a cap of C$300 a year.
  8. Virgin Plus
  Bell Canada’s wholly owned youth-focused brand, Virgin Plus offers low cost and high data mobile plans across Canada.
  Their refer-a-friend program, available in both English and French, offers C$50 in account credits (C$5/mo. for 10 months) to both the referrer and the referred-in friend. To receive the rewards, the friend has to be eligible to switch to a 2-year or BYOP plan.
  9. Visible
  Visible is a a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon that offers unlimited data, messages and minutes for a single price of US$40 a month, with no annual contract or hidden fees.
  Visible’s referral program, provides a US$20 bill credit for the referrer and referred-in friend.
  10. Assurance Wireless
  Assurance Wireless was acquired by T-Mobile as part of its acquisition of Sprint. A service subsidized by the Federal Lifeline Assistance program, it allows eligible low-income customers to get a free phone, including free monthly data, unlimited texting and free monthly minutes.
  
  Assurance Wireless’s referral program offers referrers a US$10 Amazon gift card for every referred-in household.
  11. Cricket Wireless
  Cricket Wireless, a prepaid wireless service provider in the United States, is owned by AT&T and serves around ten million subscribers. It was established by Leap Wireless International in March 1999.
  Their customers receive $25 for every person they refer to Cricket. After 60 days of active service, the referrer and friend get their $25 reward. Referrers can earn a maximum of $250 per calendar year.
  12. Telus Mobility
  Telus Mobility is Canada’s third-largest wireless largest provider.
  The Telus Mobility refer-a-friend program provides referrers with a C$50 account credit for each successful referral. Referrers can earn up to C$200 credit in any year.
  13. Tracfone
  TracFone Wireless is a US-based mobile phone provider that operates on a prepaid, no-contract basis. A subsidiary of Verizon Communications, Tracfone offers its services under various brands. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), TFWI has agreements with the three largest wireless network operators in the United States, namely AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, and Verizon, to provide services to its customers.
  Their referral program allows their members to refer sign up via text. They have a points-based reward structure that incrementally increases depending on the number of friend they bring in. For a customer’s first referral, they’ll earn 5,000 points; for referrals 2-4 it’s 6,000; and for 5 and above they’ll get 7,000. Each referred-in customer will also receive 5,000 points. Points can be traded in for credit data and money off devices.
  14. Freedom Mobile
  Freedom Mobile, whose licenses were transferred to Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron as part of Rogers acquisition of Shaw, has 1.8 million active subscribers in Toronto, Alberta and British Columbia, making it Canada’s fourth largest mobile network operator.
  Freedom Mobile’s referral program provides a C$25 account credit to both the referrer and the referred-in, capped at C$250 in any year.
  15. Fizz Mobile
  Fizz Mobile, a Videotron sub-brand that provides 4G LTE service, empowers customers in Quebec and Ottawa to personalize their wireless plans.
  Their referral program rewards the referrer and the referred-in friend with C$25 for a successful referral. Interestingly, Fizz advocate that if a person doesn’t know a current Fizz member they can find a referral code on the Fizz forum, Facebook or Instagram page and so get referred-in by someone they’ve never met.
  16. Lucky Mobile
  Lucky Mobile is an MVNO wholly owned by Bell Canada, which offers plans from C$15 a month to C$50 a month, without requiring a credit check or long-term commitment, and applies no data overage charges.
  
  Their referral program offers a C$50 account credit for both the referrer and the friend (C$5/month for 10 months).
  
  17. Red Pocket Mobile
  Red Pocket Mobile is an MVNO using the AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks to provide low-cost text, talk and data contracts that start from US$10 a month.
  
  Red Pocket Mobile’s referral program can only be accessed by customers from their account area. For every successful referral, referrers can earn up to US$25 in credit towards their next payment, up to US$500 per year. Referred-in friends, meanwhile, receive US $25 off of their first month of service for any plan that is US$30 or more, and US$7.50 off for any plan below US$30.
  
  18. Vonage
  Vonage is a leading provider of cloud communications and business phone systems, based in New Jersey. The company offer a wide range of products and services to help businesses stay connected with their customers and employees.
  Through the program, Vonage customers can receive a $50 Tango gift card for each successful referral. Friends must get a home broadband product out in or for the referral to be successful and there is a limit of $550 in rewards per calendar year. There is no reward for the new customer.
  
  19. AT&T Business
  The Business arm of AT&T also runs a referral program for business customers with a Fiber or Fiber based service (Ethernet). Referring customers can earn $100 for every AT&T Business Fiber and 1-month MRC (up to $1,000) for every Fiber based service. In this case there is no explicit reward for the referred-in customer.
  20. Astound Broadband
  Astound Broadband is a provider of high-speed internet, TV, and phone services in based in Washington, USA.
  The company offers a referral program where both the referrer and new customer receive a reward when the new customer signs up using the referrer’s unique link. The referrer reward is $75 in the form of bill credit or service discount. Astound Internet, TV and or Phone, or a combination are qualifying services for new referred customer rewards with a limit of up to $1,200 in referral reward bill credits per calendar year. There is no explicit reward for the new customer.
  21. Black Wireless
  Black Wireless is a telecoms provider that offers affordable and reliable prepaid plans for smartphones. They use the AT&T network to provide coverage across the United States, ensuring that their customers have access to fast data speeds and reliable service.
  Their referral program offers customers $10 for each person they refer who activates a new line of service with Black Wireless. The reward is in the form of credit to the referrer’s account and the referred-in new customer will get a $10 discount at checkout.
  22. Ting
  Ting is a mobile virtual network operator that offers pay-as-you-go phone plans to customers across the United States. They utilize the networks of T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint to provide coverage to their customers.
  With Ting’s referral program, customers receive a $50 bill credit for each person they refer who activates a new line of service with Ting. The referred-in customer will also receive a $25 bill credit. There is no limit to the number of referrals a customer can make, and the credits can be used to pay for future Ting bills.
  23. Tello
  Tello is a wireless provider that offers prepaid plans for smartphones. Their plans come with no contract, fees or surprises, and operate on the Sprint network. Tello also offers a referral program that rewards both the referrer and the referred-in new customer.
  Through the program, Tello customers can receive a $10 account credit for each successful referral. Friends who are referred to Tello will receive a $10 account credit as well. The credit can be used towards Tello’s plans or any other services provided by Tello.
  24. WAKE Wireless
  WAKE Wireless is a wireless provider that offers prepaid plans for smartphones. They operate on the AT&T network and offer a variety of flexible plans with no contracts. WAKE Wireless also offers a referral program that rewards both the referrer and the referred-in new customer.
  WAKE Wireless customers can receive a $25 account credit for each successful referral. Friends who are referred to WAKE Wireless will receive a $25 account credit as well. The credit can be used towards WAKE Wireless plans or any other services provided by WAKE Wireless.
  25. CREDO Mobile
  CREDO Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides nationwide coverage through the Verizon network. They offer a variety of flexible plans that allow customers to support progressive causes they care about. CREDO Mobile also offers a referral program that rewards both the referrer and the referred-in new customer.
  Through the program, CREDO Mobile customers can receive a $100 account credit for each successful referral. Friends who are referred to CREDO Mobile will receive a $100 account credit as well. The credit can be used towards CREDO Mobile’s plans or any other services provided by CREDO Mobile. In addition, for every new customer referred, CREDO Mobile will donate $100 to a progressive nonprofit organization chosen by the referring customer.
  26. ModePhone
  ModePhone is a technology company that offers a state-of-the-art smartphone device with built-in earning features, customers can earn rewards for using their phone as normal. In addition these rewards, the company also has a referral program that rewards users for referring their friends and family.
  The Mode Phone referral program offers a chance to earn more than $6000 annually through three different methods. The referrer can earn $50 for each new person they refer to Mode Phone. By referring 25 people, the referrer can earn an additional $50. Finally, through the Mode Earn Club, the referrer can earn $1 for every new signup and the commission payout takes around 21 days to process.
  27. MobileHelp
  MobileHelp is a medical alert system provider that helps seniors and others live independently while staying safe and connected to help in case of an emergency. The company also has a referral program that rewards customers for spreading the word about the service.
  To participate in the program, customers can share their unique referral link with friends and family. When someone signs up for MobileHelp using that link, both the referrer and the new customer will receive a $100 credit toward their account. There is no limit to the number of referrals a customer can make, so the potential rewards are significant.
  28. Straight Talk
  Straight Talk is a provider of no-contract wireless phone services that operate on the Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks. The company offers a rewards program that allows customers to earn points for various activities, including referring friends to the service.
  When a referred-in customer signs up for Straight Talk using a referral link and activates a new line of service, both the referrer and the new customer will receive 5,000 points, which can be redeemed for discounts on service plans or other rewards (Note: the referral program appears to be IP restricted). For 2-4 friends referees will instead receive 6,000 points, and for 5+, it’s 7,000. There is no limit to the number of referrals a customer can make.
  29. Ziply Fiber
  Ziply Fiber is a fast-growing home internet provider operating in the US, that is dedicated to building the Northwest’s best and fastest network. Ziply Fiber offers internet plans starting from $20/month with speeds up to 10 Gig, emphasising reliability and speed.
  Ziply Fiber’s referral program awards existing customers with $50 in bill credit for each successful referral and, the new customer will receive the same. The reward will be distributed 30 days after the friend has installed their service.
  30. Boost Mobile
  Boost Mobile, an American wireless service heavyweight and a member of the Dish Wireless family, is on a mission to redefine connectivity. Using the networks of Dish, AT&T, and T-Mobile they operate from California, serving customers across the US. With sister brands including Boost Infinite, Gen Mobile, and Ting Mobile, Boost Mobile is proudly serving a whopping 7.50 million customers as of Q3 2023.
  Their referral program awards both the referrer and the friend $25 account credit, in the form of two $12.50 monthly installments. The friend need only take out a minimum $40 prepaid plan. The program is open to all of Boost’s existing customers but only 3 referrals are allowed in a 12 month period.
  31. Cogeco
  Cogeco is a Canadian telecommunications and media company that started in 1957 and has expanded to include operations in the United States. It offers a variety of services such as internet, television, and telephony to both residential and business customers.

The fast-growing Canadian telecommunications and media company, introduced a referral program in early 2024. Under the program, each eligible existing customer is rewarded with a C$50 bill credit for each new successful referral, and the referred-in friend also earns a C$50 bill credit, once they meet the eligibility criteria. Referrers can bring in up to 5 friends each, meaning there is a potential C$250 on the table.

If you have a referral program or are thinking of launching one, then we would be happy to talk with you. Of course, if you think your program should be on this list, let us know and we can add it to the article.