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.

January 19, 2016 – This morning, The Globe and Mailreported 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.

The price hike comes after confirmation that Canadians continue to pay some of the highest prices in the industrialized world for what's widely recognized as subpar service.

“Here’s a question: When the headlines read ‘Canadian dollar bounces back,’ will the Big Three lower prices back to where they were?” asked OpenMedia Campaigns Director Josh Tabish.“This announcement only confirms what we already knew – the previous government's 'fourth carrier' policy is leaving many Canadians behind. With simultaneous price hikes happening once again, it’s past time for the CRTC to set fair open access rules that will allow new players to enter the market.”

Today’s announcement means that mobile prices will increase across the country, with exceptions only possible in Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan – the only regions with viable alternatives to the Big Three. Unfortunately, Shaw's recent move to acquire WIND Mobile means Canadians could lose a crucial low-cost option, as Shaw has indicated that it intends to gradually raise Wind’s average revenue per user (ARPU) to match the incumbents. This means the Big Three could soon be the Big Four, when it comes to price.

OpenMedia agrees with experts that the best way to fix our dysfunctional market is for the CRTC to set out fair rules that will allow a wide range of mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) providers to set up shop and sell services. Meanwhile, the Trudeau government has been silent on their plans to relieve the high costs of telecommunications services in Canada.

About OpenMedia

OpenMedia is an award-winning community-based organization that works to keep the Internet open, affordable, & surveillance-free. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy by engaging hundreds of thousands of people in protecting our online rights.

Through campaigns such as KillC51.ca, StopTheMeter.ca and StopSpying.ca, OpenMedia has engaged over half-a-million Canadians, and has influenced public policy and federal law.

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