Tag: wireless
DEBUNKED! Did Minister Champagne actually stop the Rogers-Shaw buyout?
Or did he approve it? The truth is: Champagne rubber stamped the affordability-crushing deal. Here’s how he pulled off the sleight of hand.
Your voice, DELIVERED: OpenMedia’s submission to the government’s CRTC policy direction consultation is in!
Nearly 16,000 members of the OpenMedia community have spoken out to shape the future of the CRTC. Thank you for adding your voices!
Your voice, DELIVERED: OpenMedia’s latest petition to stop Rogers from buying Shaw is in!
To date, the OpenMedia community has called on the government a whopping 34,700+ times to block Rogers-Shaw. Talk about a deafening response!
Happy Valentine’s Day from OpenMedia — we made you something!
Share your love for the free and open Internet with some digital rights-themed valentines cards!
“Family of raccoons” leading OpenMedia poll to replace Rogers family as Canada’s supreme telecom dynasty
VOTE NOW! If a single telecom dynasty is going to rule us all, let’s pick a better one than the Rogers family.
2021 report shows Canada’s cell phone prices STILL among most expensive globally
Rewheel’s 2021 report yet again confirmed the ugly truth: People in Canada continue to pay some of the highest prices in the world for our wireless services.
NDP releases plan to bring Internet affordability to Canada
OpenMedia welcomes the plan, and the critical attention to issue of Internet affordability in Canada.
What’s the ‘5G hype’ all about?
5G: The next generation of hyperconnectivity and surveillance with a side of international power struggle.
Success! We delivered your voices to the CRTC to overhaul Canada’s mobile market
This week we delivered over 18,000 voices to the CRTC along with our detailed policy submission to overhaul Canada’s mobile market and bring customers affordability, choice and better access. Thank you for speaking out and here’s what’s next!
CRTC’s wireless affordability decision will further Canada’s digital divide
Today’s decision on low-cost data-only plans treats those who need affordable plans as second-class citizens.
Advocates stunned by CRTC’s decision to cut its own Internet speed targets in half for new Broadband Fund
Canadians are calling on Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains to send the decision back to the CRTC for reconsideration immediately
Minister Bains: Enough talk, bring MVNOs to Canada and lower our cell phone bills
Minister Bains' response to lower our cell bills leaves much to be desired. So with your help, we ramped up our efforts to put pressure on the Minister to walk the talk by putting bus stop ads in Ottawa. Check them out and thank you for your support!
CRTC report reveals low-income Canadians spending up to 8% of monthly income on communications services
Lower cost options are desperately needed to ensure that people are not left behind
It’s time to bring Canada’s wireless market out of the Stone Age — here’s how
Why do people in Canada still pay some of the most expensive cell phone bills in the industrialized world? Here's how it all went down, where we are now, and where to next:
Critics call Big Telecom’s low data plans ‘embarrassing’
"It's embarrassing and quite frankly it's rude to think that these are functional plans,"
CRTC extends competition protections to broadband Internet competitors
Competitor Quality of Service Regime decision a step towards ensuring lower prices in wireline sector by increasing fairness for indie Internet Service Providers, but misses opportunity to do the same for wireless
CRTC failed Canadians, again. Over to you, Minister Bains
Last week the CRTC shut the door on an opportunity to bring Canadians more mobile choices and lower prices. So we are looking to Minister Navdeep Bains to step in and help affect change.
Lower cell phone bills are about more than affordability. They help to bridge the digital divide
The need for affordable cellphone plans in Canada is essential to bridge the digital divide and provide more Canadians with the array of socio-economic benefits the Internet affords.
9 in 10 Canadians still not at basic Internet speeds called for by CRTC, even as data usage jumps by 25%
Annual CRTC study demonstrates clear need for national broadband strategy, as Canadians face increasingly less affordable prices for home and mobile Internet.
Lowering our cell bills: Your voice on the public record
1 in 3 low-income Canadians can’t afford a cellphone. That means no emergency calls when away from a landline, no texting with loved ones, no access to maps, email, and the online tools and services that we all depend on every day.
It’s time to lower your cell bill
A CRTC consultation has a great potential to open our wireless market to more competitors and finally bring Canadians relief from ever-rising cellphone bills.
Could Canadians finally get relief from high wireless prices?
Exorbitant wireless prices have been the norm for Canadians for too long, but an encouraging shift in policy could be about to change that.
Innovation Minister asks CRTC to reconsider opening Canada’s wireless market to affordable wi-fi based mobile providers
Minister Bains' announcement is good news for Canadian consumers, who have long been in need of relief from cell phone bills that are far too high.
Disappointing CRTC ruling threatens to lock Canadians into a future of high wireless prices
Today’s decision effectively makes it impossible for Sugar Mobile and other new entrants to compete in a market that continues to be dominated by Bell, Rogers, and Telus.
Spotlight turns to data caps, as CRTC study reveals skyrocketing data usage along with price increases
One week before high-profile CRTC hearing on data caps and Internet pricing, Commission's own study confirms data usage surged 40% from 2014 to 2015
Spotlight turns to data caps, as CRTC study reveals skyrocketing data usage along with price increases
One week before high-profile CRTC hearing on data caps and Internet pricing, Commission's own study confirms data usage surged 40% from 2014 to 2015
Bell promises to run fibre to Churchill, Manitoba — for the small price of acquiring MTS
You can almost smell the desperation as Bell promises to run fibre Internet to Churchill, Manitoba if the MTS takeover deal goes through
CRTC review opens door to improve Wireless Code’s customer safeguards
Three years after Wireless Code was first published, it’s clear there’s room for improvement in protecting Canadians from Big Telecom mistreatment
We can finally put an end to data caps—but will the CRTC listen?
Canadians now have a unique opportunity to end mean-spirited data caps as the CRTC announces public consultation, and your OpenMedia team is on board to ensure affordable home broadband and wireless services for all.
Data Caps and Overage Fees: What ISPs Aren’t Telling You
Telecom companies are keeping Canadians on a short leash when it comes to data caps.
CRTC urged to end Internet data caps and punitive overage charges
Internet users are mobilizing to seek end to data caps, as new report reveals how Canadians are getting a raw deal on both wired and wireless services.
Cell phone bills already going up as Bell-MTS takeover awaits approval
Two weeks after Bell announced their intentions to take over Manitoba’s fourth carrier, Rogers has raised rates.
I’m an MTS customer and my bill is about to go up
When I read the news of Bell buying MTS I felt my wallet shudder.
Canada’s telecom market: Bell’s way or the highway
Yikes! Bell is looking to take over Manitoba Telecom Services, bringing Manitobans higher prices and less choice. And nobody wants that.
Government should step in after disappointing CRTC ruling closes door to new affordable wireless alternatives
Today’s CRTC ruling means Big Telecom can continue to block more affordable Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) from setting up in Canada.
Here we go again - Big Three mobile providers to raise prices on popular cell phone plans
This morning, The Globe and Mail reported that Canada’s Big Three wireless providers–Bell, Rogers, and Telus–are in the midst of raising prices across their most popular plans, citing the declining Canadian dollar for the increase.
We’re challenging a crucial CRTC decision on behalf of Canadians
Last night, OpenMedia filed detailed and significant comments in support of a crucial challenge that will determine whether Canadians get access to new, independent wireless providers like Ting. If the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) listens to Canadians, bad parts of a recent ruling will be overturned and a new level playing field will allow a wide range of new mobile providers to set up shop and sell services to Canadians.
Back in May, the CRTC took a significant step towards ensuring Canadians have access to more affordable options in our mobile phone and Internet market.
T-Mobile free roaming initiative could add fuel to Canada’s wireless market
T-Mobile announced yesterday it will allow its American customers use their service in Canada and Mexico with no extra fees (that's right, free roaming). This new initiative puts the Big Three's roaming plans to shame. Why can't Canadians have nice things?
Article by Peter Nowak for Alphabeatic
Globe and Mail: More power to the Big Three, less choice to Canadians
The new Rogers/Mobilicity deal will mean less choice and therefore higher prices.
Article by Christine Dobby for The Globe and Mail
While Mobilicity has finally found a buyer – selling to Rogers Communications Inc. for $465-million after more than two years in legal and financial limbo – Wind Mobile Corp. will also benefit from the deal through a significant increase in its spectrum holdings.
Today we are hosting a Social Media Town Hall on the state of Canada’s Internet. Join us!
A Q&A About the Future of Canada’s Internet
Today we have assembled an all-star cast of Canadian Internet experts and innovators (see below) to answer your questions about Canada’s Internet! A new tool has just launched to take the pulse of Canada’s Internet and we want to talk about the future of the net.
Our Town Hall starts at 1PM ET / 10AM PST, but feel free to start asking questions now! Today, you can ask us anything…
Canada’s historic chance to be the fastest team on the ice
Right now, we face a unique opportunity to kickstart Canada’s Internet, and improve the level of service Canadians can access into the 21st century. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has begun their review of what constitutes basic Internet service in Canada, and their deadline for input is rapidly approaching.
This is a tremendous opportunity for us to stand together, and demand access to faster, cheaper Internet for 100% of Canadians. For years, Canada has had one of the least ambitious digital strategies in the industrialized world, with Internet experts like Michael Geist asking, “Why does Canada still lack a coherent broadband goal?”
I mean, think about this: in 2015, the U.S. government set their basic broadband speed to be 25Mbps. What’s Canada’s target? 5 Mbps… By 2019. This is embarrassing, but the government can change our targets if we speak out now.
It’s no secret that Big Telecom has you locked into some of the slowest and most expensive Internet service in the industrialized world. It’s not fair: we deserve the same level of service as our international counterparts. When it comes to Internet speeds, Canada doesn’t want to be just a contender. We want to be the fastest team on the ice.
Now, the good news is that the CRTC’s review of basic telecommunications services is rapidly approaching and could ensure all Canadians have access to faster, cheaper Internet for future generations. But we’re short on time. Add your name NOW, and we’ll send your message before their final deadline.
Alphabeatic: Canada still leads in high wireless prices
Wireless savings? Not for now. Canadians' wallets are still hurting.
Article by Peter Nowak for Alphabeatic
With the CRTC’s decision this week to forego implementing rules that would have allowed small companies to share the networks of bigger players, the regulator and government are both now pinning their hopes for wireless savings on newer competitors building infrastructure that’s strong enough to challenge the likes of Bell, Rogers and Telus.
New report: Canada falling further behind global counterparts on Internet access
This week, experts at the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) – the body that oversees Canada’s .ca domain – released their 2014 Factbook, which chronicles Canada’s advancement on Internet issues over the past year. The Factbook investigates how well-positioned Canadians are in the areas of access, cost, and usage.
The report shows Canada continues to slip further behind our global counterparts. For example, Canada has crashed from 2nd place in 2001 on broadband penetration amongst industrialized nations to 16th place in 2014.
Rogers hits senior with an $800 bill for Internet she never used
Rogers hit this B.C. senior with a whopping $800 bill for Internet she never even used. It seems not a week goes by without another story of Big Telecom price-gouging. Tell us yours in the comments below.
Article from CBC News
A senior citizen in Chilliwack, B.C., is angry about an $800 wireless internet access bill from Rogers — a bill she claims she's not responsible for.
Darlene Davies, 65, usually pays $60 a month for her Rogers internet service, which she accesses with an unsecured Rocket hub Wi-Fi hotspot access point.
When she received a bill for more than $600 instead, she was stunned. Rogers customer service told her the charges stemmed from data used to download movies, stream TV shows and play online games.
But Davies says she doesn't even know how to do any of those things.
As Big Telecom ramps up lobbying, will government cave?
It looks like the Big Three telecom giants are fighting hard to maintain their stranglehold over our wireless market, and over Canadians’ wallets. The Big Three have been on the back foot since pressure from tens of thousands of Canadians won positive new customer protection rules last year, along with a clear government commitment to increase choice and lower prices.
Now Big Telecom is pushing back. They’re sitting on huge piles of cash after years of price-gouging Canadians with some of the highest prices in the industrialized world. It seems they’ve been using that money to hire expensive Ottawa lobbyists to pressure the government.
You told us, we told them: A report-back from our meeting with Telus
When several senior representatives from Telus asked us to meet with them we knew immediately what we wanted the meeting to include: direct citizen stories about disrespectful and expensive cell phone service in Canada. This was clearly a unique opportunity to bring Canadian voices directly to executives running one of the big three cell phone giants.
We shared a story from John, who was unexpectedly hit with a $300 bill from Telus after asking for a voice-only plan and unknowingly using expensive, metered data services. John quite effectively articulated the limited options facing customers: “What do I do to not pay this outrageous fee? Spend more hours on the phone? Spend thousands on legal fees to fight $300? Refuse to pay it, and have my credit rating dinged?”
Reps from Telus discussed the various steps that they have taken to address these kinds of complaints. We highlighted some of the themes we’ve been hearing from you via Cell Phone Horror Stories, and on our Facebook wall: disrespectful customer service with unreasonable hold times; long contract lengths with expensive termination fees; false charges on your bills and a refusal to remove them; and high roaming fees in a context where cell phone service is already very expensive.
Epoch Times: Wireless complaints are on the rise
In a report released last week, Canada's cell phone services received the notable dishonour of having the most complaints out of any telecommunications service.
It's time for these concerns with our broken telecom market to be addressed by the CRTC. Share your story through our online tool CellPhoneHorrorStory.ca and let's work towards a wireless code that benefits Canadians.
Article by Omid Ghoreishi for The Epoch Times
Complaints about telecom services rose again this year, with wireless services topping the list of complaints for the fourth consecutive time, according to Canada’s Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).
“Nearly 11,000 consumer complaints were filed with us. That represents an increase of 35 percent over last year,” said commissioner Howard Maker in a statement announcing the release of the CCTS’s annual report for 2011/2012.
OpenMedia works to keep the Internet open, affordable, and surveillance-free. We create community-driven campaigns to engage, educate, and empower people to safeguard the Internet. Take action now
View all campaigns
Take action now!
Sign up to be in the loop
Donate to support our work