It just got easier for Canadians to get cheaper internet and phone plans
Canada’s telecom regulator just introduced new measures to help you have easier access to cheaper high-speed internet and phone plans.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced several changes on Friday as part of recent changes to the Telecommunications Act that require the regulatory agency to put new consumer protection measures in place.
The CRTC held a public consultation to see how service providers could give Canadians more ways to make changes to their internet and phone plans. It heard perspectives from individuals, consumer groups, and service providers.
Based on the consultation, the regulator is mandating the option for customers to be able to change or cancel their internet or phone plans online, through an app, or via email.
“We are increasing competition so that Canadians have access to more choice and affordable Internet and cellphone services. But having more choice is not enough,” stated Vicky Eatrides, CEO of the CRTC. “Canadians need simple ways to take advantage of that choice. Our recent decisions make it easier to manage services, shop around, and switch plans.”
The regulator says that while it is taking action to provide Canadians with more affordable choices for internet and phone plans, it also wants to make sure they can easily find and switch to those options.
This measure follows the CRTC’s decision to remove fees that make it hard to cancel or change internet and phone plans. Earlier this month, it also mandated that customers receive notifications before their contracts, discounts, or promotions end, and when their data usage reaches $50 for international roaming.
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In another effort to increase competition in Canada, the CRTC also announced that it has set final rates that competitors will pay to access major telecommunications companies’ fibre networks.
This comes after the agency began allowing competitors to access these networks in February 2025 to sell home internet, T.V., phone, and smart home services. According to the CRTC, competitive providers have announced plans to deliver more choices for up to 8.5 million Canadian households.
“Today’s decision finalizes the CRTC’s approach to increasing competition, which is already driving more choice of affordable internet services for Canadians,” said Eatrides. “The final rates are based on real costs, and enable companies to compete for customers while maintaining incentives to build high-quality networks.”
Check out the agency’s announcement for more details.