Canada has 3 big mobile operators, and there is zero competition.

In provinces that have local operators, they do compete.

The difference between markets is so large that people pretend to live in Manitoba or Saskatchewan just so they can have cheaper plans.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/wireless-black-market-offe...

Yeah that situation is probably going away since MTS got oligobbled up by Bell. I guess Sasktel is still around...

I remember trying to pull off the Koodoo (Telus) trick some years ago claiming I was from Winnipeg and traveling (when I am actually American). :)

Right now there are four major providers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. There are other, smaller providers (Boost, Virgin, etc.), but I believe those generally don't have their own networks but rather lease access from the big four.

Boost and Virgin are all MVNO's that use other networks (the big 4)

Smaller regional providers are ones like US Cellular, and really tiny ones like Indigo Wireless.

Actually, Boost and Virgin in the US are owned by Sprint:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mobile_USA

Major players: AT&T Verizon T-Mobile/Sprint

Smaller players (most/all of whom piggyback on the major players' infrastructure): Metro PCS Boost Virgin Cricket

MetroPCS is a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile.

Cricket is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T.

Boost and Virgin are MVNO's.

EDIT: I stand corrected, Boost/Virgin are owned by Sprint.

Boost and Virgin are owned by Sprint, as well.

Ah, so we're more screwed than I thought!

With Sprint gone #4 will be US Cellular which isn't exactly nationwide, but they're growing leaps and bounds.

Depends on where, but it would mostly make for three national carriers: Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T.