J.D. Power study shows cell phone rates are rising sharply; OpenMedia.ca available for comment

“Cell phone service in Canada should be affordable for everyone – it’s that simple,” says OpenMedia.ca Executive Director Steve Anderson. “But even in the face of rising prices and diminishing choice, Industry Canada is failing to take bold action. With independent providers unable to gain a foothold in this country and offer real choice, the Big Three are able to raise prices at will and to trap Canadians in restrictive contracts with poor service. This has been going on for too long, it’s getting worse, and it’s preventing our digital economy from thriving. It’s totally unacceptable.”

Over fifty thousand Canadians have signed OpenMedia.ca’s petition demanding choice in the cell phone market: http://demandchoice.ca

WHEN:
The J.D Power & Associates 2013 Canadian Wireless Total Ownership Experience StudySM was released May 9, 2013.

WHERE: OpenMedia.ca is based in Vancouver, BC

WHY:
The Big Three cell phone companies (Bell, Rogers, and Telus) control nearly 94% of cell phone service, and due to this Canadians pay some of the highest prices for mobile phone service in the industrialized world. In addition to being price-gouged, according to OpenMedia.ca’s recent report, Time For An Upgrade, Canadians already face systemic mistreatment from cell phone companies.

BACKGROUND:

OpenMedia.ca is a grassroots organization that safeguards the possibilities of the open and affordable Internet. The group works towards informed and participatory digital policy.

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

For more information, please contact:
Lindsey Pinto – 1.778.238.7710 – [email protected]

Details can also be found at http://openmedia.ca and http://demandchoice.ca.