The Trudeau government on Thursday gave new instructions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) with the aim of lowering the price of telecommunications services.
“While the progress we have made and seen so far in lowering prices is encouraging, more needs to be done. Canadians are still paying too much for their Internet and cell phone services,” Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement.
Among other things, the federal government is asking the CRTC to promote competition, increase choice in the mobile wireless services sector and better protect consumer rights. It is also necessary to improve access to underserved regions by accelerating the establishment of infrastructure to provide access to high-speed Internet.
Finally, the three biggest telecommunications players, Bell, Rogers and Telus, are advised to offer more affordable services for competitors using their networks.
“This new strategic direction builds on our recent commitments to put consumer interests and innovation at the heart of telecommunications decisions,” added Mr. Champagne. It will require the CRTC to improve its support for service providers who want to offer Canadians Internet and mobile services at lower prices.
According to the latest official study of telecommunications prices, conducted by Wall Communications Inc. in 2020, Canada offered much more expensive services than many other countries.
For wireless services including 5 to 6 GB of data, it will cost an average of $51.20/month in Canada, while our American neighbors would pay $43.52, and an average Briton $25.73.