Canadian cell phone users won’t be satisfied with Rogers/Mobilicity deal

Rogers $440 million takeover of Mobilicity will mean fewer choices for Canadian cell phone subscribers when wireless prices are already increasing at 3 times the rate of inflation

“Unfortunately the government just approved a deal that will ultimately mean less choice for Canadian cell phone subscribers, despite promises to the contrary. This comes after the government’s own report officially confirmed Canadian wireless prices are rising at three times the rate of inflation and that we are paying some of the highest prices in the industrialized world for terrible service. We see some good intentions with this deal but Canadians are looking for more choice and lower prices -- and we appear to be moving in the wrong direction today.”

Tabish continued: “Tens of thousands of Canadians specifically asked Industry Minister James Moore not to allow the Big Three to acquire valuable spectrum previously set aside for new providers. While today's announcement includes some balancing measures that support independent cell phone carrier Wind, it still hands valuable wireless spectrum to Rogers. The Big Three currently control over 90% of the market and it's time for the government to act to open our networks to new independent providers.”

Tens of thousands of Canadians have been calling for lower prices and greater choice at https://openmedia.ca/gatekeepers and https://UnblockCanada.ca

About OpenMedia

OpenMedia is an award-winning community-based organization that safeguards the possibilities of the open Internet. We work toward informed and participatory digital policy by engaging hundreds of thousands of people in protecting our online rights.

Through campaigns such as 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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Contact

Josh Tabish

Campaigns Manager, OpenMedia

1-778-990-1218

[email protected]