David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
John Brown said "An absolutely toothless and useless CRTC means these sleazy clowns can do pretty much what they want" and I welcomed him to the circus
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-feel-cheated-big-telcos-hike-prices.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/telus-rogers-bell-60-10-gb-plan-price-1.5039718
'I feel cheated': Big telcos hike prices for $60 plans with 10 GB, sparking complaints
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Miguel Sanchez
Maybe there shouldn't be a CRTC anymore.
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Miguel Sanchez
And force the consumer to foot the bill for cancon that should never survive in a truly competitive free market
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Rembrandt Garland
@Miguel Sanchez - I wonder if someone in the CRTC is getting a "favour".....kinda like the SNC-Lavalin affair.
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Mitchell Irwin
@Miguel Sanchez
So you'd prefer a 3 year contract instead of the legislated 2, and you'd rather have locked phones, rather than locked phones?
Wake up.
So you'd prefer a 3 year contract instead of the legislated 2, and you'd rather have locked phones, rather than locked phones?
Wake up.
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Steve Kirk
@Miguel Sanchez They just run interference for the telecoms and cloud the real issues.
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David Amos
@Miguel Sanchez Nope what we need is an ethical CRTC
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Miguel Sanchez
The word feckless comes to mind when describing the CRTC.
They're fully empowered to needlessly micromanage human behaviour on things like content quotas, ratings etc., but seemingly powerless in its role as consumer watchdog.
They're fully empowered to needlessly micromanage human behaviour on things like content quotas, ratings etc., but seemingly powerless in its role as consumer watchdog.
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David Amos
@Miguel Sanchez True
John Brown
An absolutely toothless and
useless CRTC means these sleazy clowns can do pretty much what they
want, when they want, and choose how they go about it...and yup, they're
freaking good at it.
Phil Mein
@Neil Gregory You got the
corporate part right but you show your astoundingly partisan ignorance
suggesting it's dependent on the party in office.
Scotty Davidson
@Phil Mein He is saying both parties are to blame. He is right.
David Amos
@John Brown Welcome to the circus
John Smith
@John Brown They do not do
what they want when they want. They were following the directive given
to them by the Harper government for facilities based competition.
The Liberals are now giving them a new directive to guide their actions: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf11484.html - Affordability and *real* competition and the CRTC is listening https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2019/02/crtc-launches-comprehensive-review-of-mobile-wireless-services.html
Tracy Mann
Over here in Indonesia it cost $17.00 for 27 GB of wireless data.
CRTC wake up and stop protecting the monopolies.
CRTC wake up and stop protecting the monopolies.
Eugene D Burles
@Mick Fontana
The conservatives, PPC, or whatever else they call themselves, want a free market that is unrestricted and unregulated. Excellent for profiteers and exploiters, but terrible for the commoners.
The conservatives, PPC, or whatever else they call themselves, want a free market that is unrestricted and unregulated. Excellent for profiteers and exploiters, but terrible for the commoners.
Rainer Schein
@Tracy Mann
Indonesia: 1,811,570 sq. km
Canada: 9,984,670 sq. km = 5.5 x larger than Indonesia
5.5 x $17.00 = $93.50
I'll take that deal if it was ever offered in Canada
Indonesia: 1,811,570 sq. km
Canada: 9,984,670 sq. km = 5.5 x larger than Indonesia
5.5 x $17.00 = $93.50
I'll take that deal if it was ever offered in Canada
Mitchell Irwin
@Rainer Schein Just look at
ANY cell phone coverage map: the area of coverage represents the area of
inhabitants. In other words, a fraction of Canada is populated compared
to it's overall area.
@Rainer Schein Most of Canada does not have cell service - see your typical coverage map: http://www.thehappyhypocrite.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/koodo-mobile-coverage-maps-awesome-ideas.jpg
Those large swaths of Sask/Alberta are due to them being so flat - one tower can cover a huge area.
Those large swaths of Sask/Alberta are due to them being so flat - one tower can cover a huge area.
Tracy Mann
@Tracy Mann
4G, and good service.
4G, and good service.
Richard Mackay
@Tracy Mann Indonesia's average salary is $280 US a month!
Lets compare to some more realistic place!
UK $89 cnd unlimited data
Japan $100 cnd. 10GB
Lets compare to some more realistic place!
UK $89 cnd unlimited data
Japan $100 cnd. 10GB
Artie Gibson
@Tracy Mann
I bet that Indonesia does not have Competition Bureau or an IRTC.
I bet that Indonesia does not have Competition Bureau or an IRTC.
Rory Wilson
@Tracy Mann
Indonesia population is 260 million and the number of mobile cell users is 170 million. Just mainly island coverage no bigger than Southern Ontario to Quebec. Of course the price would be lower
Indonesia population is 260 million and the number of mobile cell users is 170 million. Just mainly island coverage no bigger than Southern Ontario to Quebec. Of course the price would be lower
Neil Gregory
@Tracy Mann
If you really want our government agencies to stop protecting corporate monopolies you first have to stop voting for the Liberals and the Conservative.
If you really want our government agencies to stop protecting corporate monopolies you first have to stop voting for the Liberals and the Conservative.
Mick Fontana
@Neil Gregory The
conservatives (or at least the PPC) are the ones who want the free
market you desire. More competition is better for the consumer and it
creates more jobs at the same time.
David Amos
@Tracy Mann "CRTC wake up and stop protecting the monopolies."
Dream on
Dream on
Nicolas Krinis
Unless this becomes part of a
election issue and unless we get a real regulator and anticompetition
laws that can be enforced, they will just keep on colluding to raise
prices.
Another day, another story about gouging the Canadian consumer without any penalty.
Another day, another story about gouging the Canadian consumer without any penalty.
Scotty Davidson
@Sebastian Leblanc The
scandal is he takes corporate money and allows them to break our laws.
Perhaps this is part of the same scandal?
Rembrandt Garland
@Nicolas Krinis - I wonder if someone in the CRTC is getting a "favour".....kinda like the SNC-Lavalin affair.
David Amos
@Rembrandt Garland Methinks
the CRTC does "favours" all the time it should be no surprise if we
were to learn that they got a few in return N'esy Pas?
leonard g MacAulay
If ever there was an organization that needs a flush and fill it is the CRTC.
Rembrandt Garland
@leonard g MacAulay - I wonder if someone in the CRTC is getting a "favour".....kinda like the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Mitchell Irwin
@Rembrandt Garland
The CRTC is not a for-profit company, unlike SNC is. Explain the favours.
The CRTC is not a for-profit company, unlike SNC is. Explain the favours.
David Amos
@leonard g MacAulay YUP
James Dodd
How is the plan still a good
deal when Canada has the highest cell phone plan prices out of almost
every country on the planet? Infrastructure costs can’t be a good excuse
when there are countries still building out cell infrastructure that
have lower prices. We’re being gouged plan and simple. And the Crtc is
complicent in the gouging. That’s what happens when the oversight body
is made up of industry executives.
@James Dodd
Yes we are being gouged but the telcos are still building out the network at a cost of between a half and a million per cell site. With a range of 5 to 20 km per site depending on the terrain and much, much closer in cities , southern Canada requires a lot of sites.
Yes we are being gouged but the telcos are still building out the network at a cost of between a half and a million per cell site. With a range of 5 to 20 km per site depending on the terrain and much, much closer in cities , southern Canada requires a lot of sites.
David Amos
@Rick Poulter Cry me a river
Don McNairn
Time to get rid of your silly
smartphones and go back to an affordable cellphone. And use it for
important calls not as a source of entertainment. Much cheaper.
Puba Belivèau
@Jim LaPalmier that's the problem with month-to-month unfortunately. Too bad you couldn't be contracted with your non data plan
Cam Zobak
@Don McNairn So if this
article was about car insurance rate hikes, would your reply suggest
that people get rid of their "silly" cars and go back to horse and
carriage like the olden days? Because that would be cheaper too.
Not everyone uses their phones as entertainment, many (I would even say most) smartphone users require them for work (email, messaging, camera, video chat), school, etc. Just because your lifestyle doesn't require one, doesn't give you the right to be condescending to those who do.
Not everyone uses their phones as entertainment, many (I would even say most) smartphone users require them for work (email, messaging, camera, video chat), school, etc. Just because your lifestyle doesn't require one, doesn't give you the right to be condescending to those who do.
David Amos
@Don McNairn True
daulton mckitty
Don't worry the CRTC is there for you. lol
Artie Gibson
@daulton mckitty
So is the Competition Bureau of Canada and so are our M.P.s and MPPs there for us as well.
So is the Competition Bureau of Canada and so are our M.P.s and MPPs there for us as well.
Henry Starfield
@Artie Gibson Funny... they
act like they're there for the corporations instead. Perhaps we've
reached a stage of social development where by threatening to take jobs
elsewhere, large corporations actually run the government.
David Amos
@Artie Gibson True
Ashley Zacharias
Canadian telcos ripping off
their customers isn't news. It will be news when the CRTC starts
protecting Canadians from predation by these monopolies, but I'm not
holding my breath.
David Amos
@Ashley Zacharias "but I'm not holding my breath"
Nor I
Nor I
'I feel cheated': Big telcos hike prices for $60 plans with 10 GB, sparking complaints
Telcos say they can change the price on these month-to-month deals
When Telus, Rogers and Bell each briefly offered
a monthly $60 phone plan with 10 GB of data, it sparked pandemonium as
customers waited in long lines, determined to snag the deal.
Now, some of those customers feel burned because, a little more than a year later, the plans are going up in price.
"It's no longer a great deal," said Ravind Nanubhai of Brampton, Ont., after learning that his monthly $60 plan with Telus is jumping to $70 in March.
"I spent quite a number of my hours in the day trying to get this deal and now I feel just sort of duped."
For about a week in December 2017, the three telcos offered the $60 bring-your-own-phone plan with 10 GB to customers in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Steve Mann of Vancouver said the $5 price hike for his $60 10 GB phone plan isn't justified. (Submitted by Steve Mann)
Starting in March, Telus is upping the monthly price by $10.
Bell and its discount brand, Virgin, will hike the price by $5 a month, also in March.
Already this month, Rogers and its discount brand, Fido, raised the plan's monthly price by $5.
"It's such a customer-B.S. move," said Steve Mann of Vancouver who got his notice in January that his $60 Fido bill would soon climb to $65.
"These are fantastically profitable companies and you're telling me you have to impose an eight per cent increase?"
The
big three telcos offered the deals in late 2017 after newer competitor,
Freedom Mobile started marketing a $60 plan with 10 GB in an attempt to
acquire their customers.
Consumer advocate Laura Tribe said customers' frustration with the price hikes is rooted in the fact that many Canadians believe they pay too much for their wireless plans.
She said the $60 deals made people feel they were finally getting a break from one of the major providers.
"It felt like they had won the lottery," said Tribe, executive director of Open Media, an advocacy group in Vancouver.
"To have that taken away feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth."
Once the cellphone plan wars began in December 2017, customers rushed to their local dealers to sign up for a cut-rate deal. (CBC)
Molly Schleihauf
said even at $65 a month, her 10 GB Bell plan is still a good deal: in
Ontario, the big three telcos' current rate for a phone plan with 9 GB
is $110 a month
But she's still unhappy with the price hike, because she said she was under the impression the terms of her plan wouldn't change.
"I can't believe they can do that," said Schleihauf who lives in Rodney, Ont.
"I would call it gouging."
Bell, Rogers and Telus said they can raise the price of the $60 offer because they aren't fixed-contract plans, but instead, month-to-month deals.
"In a highly competitive marketplace we occasionally adjust prices on these types of no fixed term plans," said Bell spokesperson Nathan Gibson in an email.
Rogers spokesperson Bill Killorn
said in an email that the company regularly reviews and adjusts plans
"to reflect ongoing network and service investments."
He said the current $65 plan with 10 GB still offers "great value."
Telus justified its $10 price increase in a letter to affected customers by explaining that it has been working hard to "dramatically improve" its network.
"We do not take the decision to increase the cost of services lightly," said spokesperson Liz Sauvé in an email to CBC News.
Telus customer Howard Lorentz argues that, in his case, Telus had no right to hike the price.
He claims when he signed up for the plan at a Telus store in Kitchener, Ont., the employee he dealt with assured him the price wouldn't change.
"They have done a bait and switch," said Lorentz who gave up a cheaper plan with less data to take the $60 deal with 10 GB.
"I feel cheated."
Lorentz said when
he called this month to complain about the $10 price increase, a Telus
rep told him that she too had previously thought that the plan's price
was permanent.
Lorentz also showed CBC News his plan agreement which states: "We guarantee that during your commitment period, your monthly plan services and rate won't change unless YOU say so."
Telus didn't address Lortenz's claims about his conversations with Telus employees. But it said that the "commitment period" referred to in Lorentz's agreement is only good for 30 days on a month-to-month contract.
"They told me that it never expired in the store. Now they say it expires every month. Who are you supposed to believe?" said Lorentz.
After complaining to Telus, he said he was offered five extra GB a month, which he declined because all he wants is his $60 deal back.
When Fido customer Mann complained, he said he was given a $30 credit and 3 GB of extra data per month for a year.
All customers in this story have filed or plan to file a complaint about the price hikes with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services — an industry organization that resolves telecom customer disputes.
Open Media's Tribe said the best remedy is more competition which will help drive down prices — and keep them down.
The CRTC, Canada's telecom regulator, launched a review this week to examine the mobile wireless market and whether more action is needed to improve affordability for consumers. Canadians can submit comments until May 15.
Now, some of those customers feel burned because, a little more than a year later, the plans are going up in price.
"It's no longer a great deal," said Ravind Nanubhai of Brampton, Ont., after learning that his monthly $60 plan with Telus is jumping to $70 in March.
"I spent quite a number of my hours in the day trying to get this deal and now I feel just sort of duped."
For about a week in December 2017, the three telcos offered the $60 bring-your-own-phone plan with 10 GB to customers in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Bell and its discount brand, Virgin, will hike the price by $5 a month, also in March.
Already this month, Rogers and its discount brand, Fido, raised the plan's monthly price by $5.
"It's such a customer-B.S. move," said Steve Mann of Vancouver who got his notice in January that his $60 Fido bill would soon climb to $65.
"These are fantastically profitable companies and you're telling me you have to impose an eight per cent increase?"
@TELUS @TELUSsupport This $10 increase to the $60/10gb wireless plan is BS! The is blatantly obvious #baitandswitch! Where is the #CRTC when you need them... @CTVNews @GlobalBC
I'm definitely switching phone plans when I see this $5 increase for my $60 10gb plan.... BYEEEE @Fidomobile
Consumer advocate Laura Tribe said customers' frustration with the price hikes is rooted in the fact that many Canadians believe they pay too much for their wireless plans.
She said the $60 deals made people feel they were finally getting a break from one of the major providers.
"It felt like they had won the lottery," said Tribe, executive director of Open Media, an advocacy group in Vancouver.
"To have that taken away feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth."
But she's still unhappy with the price hike, because she said she was under the impression the terms of her plan wouldn't change.
"I can't believe they can do that," said Schleihauf who lives in Rodney, Ont.
"I would call it gouging."
It's not a contract
Bell, Rogers and Telus said they can raise the price of the $60 offer because they aren't fixed-contract plans, but instead, month-to-month deals.
"In a highly competitive marketplace we occasionally adjust prices on these types of no fixed term plans," said Bell spokesperson Nathan Gibson in an email.
He said the current $65 plan with 10 GB still offers "great value."
Telus justified its $10 price increase in a letter to affected customers by explaining that it has been working hard to "dramatically improve" its network.
"We do not take the decision to increase the cost of services lightly," said spokesperson Liz Sauvé in an email to CBC News.
'I feel cheated'
Telus customer Howard Lorentz argues that, in his case, Telus had no right to hike the price.
He claims when he signed up for the plan at a Telus store in Kitchener, Ont., the employee he dealt with assured him the price wouldn't change.
"They have done a bait and switch," said Lorentz who gave up a cheaper plan with less data to take the $60 deal with 10 GB.
"I feel cheated."
Telus says its 'commitment period' where the price of a plan won't change lasts for 30 days on month-to-month contracts. (Telus)
Lorentz also showed CBC News his plan agreement which states: "We guarantee that during your commitment period, your monthly plan services and rate won't change unless YOU say so."
30 days notice
Telus didn't address Lortenz's claims about his conversations with Telus employees. But it said that the "commitment period" referred to in Lorentz's agreement is only good for 30 days on a month-to-month contract.
"They told me that it never expired in the store. Now they say it expires every month. Who are you supposed to believe?" said Lorentz.
After complaining to Telus, he said he was offered five extra GB a month, which he declined because all he wants is his $60 deal back.
When Fido customer Mann complained, he said he was given a $30 credit and 3 GB of extra data per month for a year.
All customers in this story have filed or plan to file a complaint about the price hikes with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services — an industry organization that resolves telecom customer disputes.
Open Media's Tribe said the best remedy is more competition which will help drive down prices — and keep them down.
The CRTC, Canada's telecom regulator, launched a review this week to examine the mobile wireless market and whether more action is needed to improve affordability for consumers. Canadians can submit comments until May 15.
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