Feds forcing major telecom companies to offer cheaper mobile data plans

Dec 18 2018, 12:46 am

Canadians will finally see cheaper pricing on data-plans for their wireless devices.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today that there will soon be more affordable options for mobile wireless services.

Canada’s major wireless providers, including Bell, Rogers and Telus, have committed to offering new lower-cost data-only mobile wireless plans within the next 90 days.

The plans will range from $15 for 250 MB to $30 for 1 GB of monthly data. There will also be a mix of prepaid and postpaid options for 3G and LTE networks.

Canadian wireless providers charge some of the highest rates for limited data. A 2017 study showed that for $46 CAD, Canadians are only getting an average of 2 GB of data for their wireless plans.

Wireless customers in Croatia, Austria, Finland, Lithuania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland, all receive unlimited data plans for the same amount.

“Canadians deserve to have access to a wide range of mobile wireless plans in the market. While the new lower-cost data-only plans represent a step in the right direction and provide more choice for Canadians, we remain concerned by the overall condition of the market,” said Ian Scott, CEO of the CRTC, in a statement.

“To this end, the review we will launch next year will look at the state of mobile wireless competition more broadly.”

The CRTC will monitor the implementation of these plans over the next several months to ensure that the wireless providers are honouring their commitments.

Earlier this year, the CRTC said that it would begin a “comprehensive review” of mobile wireless services in 2019. The review will allow the CRTC to examine if more action is required to provide additional affordable wireless options for Canadians.

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