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CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
Yeah, yeah, you've heard it before. But this time, they really, really, really mean it. The CRTC is promising to increase competition in the cell phone industry by forcing the Big Telcos to negotiate with private companies for access to their existing cell networks.
The press release from the Commission contains a series of promises that they say will allow more companies, called MNVOs, to get into the phone game.
Among them:
- opening the door for more companies, in particular smaller regional wireless providers in more rural areas, to provide greater competition and choice to more Canadians by accessing the wireless networks of Canada’s largest providers
- ensuring that the calls and data sessions of MVNO subscribers do not drop when they move between coverage zones
- ensuring that MVNO access is offered on current and future wireless networks, including 5G,
- denying several provisions that would make the MVNO access service more restrictive or difficult to use by regional wireless providers, and
- preventing any provisions that would restrict regional providers from reselling their wholesale access to other MVNOs.
Notice what's missing? Nowhere on the list is the policy that the CRTC reversed a few years ago that promised the newcomers could access those networks at lower rates, which they could then pass on to you, creating real competition.
So my fear is that, while there well be more places to go, you'll wind up paying close to the same price as the Rogers, Bells and Telus' already charge.
And how does that help consumers?
Just my two cents. You can judge for yourself by reading the press release here.
- Glen Warren
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Re: CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
right......
- The Weed
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Re: CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I used to be with Virgin, Bell's owned lower cost tier. When it came time for renewal and a new phone, I had to pay extra for the phone above the cell service, unlike when I first signed with them, and the phone was included in the price. Even though I was a current customer, the "loyalty" rate was going to be $75 to $80 with phone versus the $50 I was paying. The new phone was the same as the old phone, just newer. Then I heard about Zoomer Wireless, which is an MVNO operated by Cityfone, another MVNO and using the Rogers national cell network. Similar phone to what I had, Samsung A71 versus Samsung A70, unlimited calling and texting Canada-wide, 7 GB of data all for $50 a month less 10% on promotion for the 2-year contract and I got a $50 bill credit as did the person who was already with Zoomer Wireless for recommending me. And, yes, that $45 a month for 2 years includes the cost of the phone. Caveats: no 5G, no wireless calling and now, since 3G is gone in the USA, no roaming add on package available for that particular country. No problem, just use WhatsApp with an Internet connection if travelling to the US. Also, no iPhones and a limited offering of phones, but you can BYOD for a similar 10% off any contract.
No, I don't work for Zoomer Wireless, Cityfone and certainly not Rogers Wireless.
- Radiowiz
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Re: CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
The Weed wrote:
Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
No, I don't work for Zoomer Wireless, Cityfone and certainly not Rogers Wireless.
Still sounds like a bunch of garbage to me. I have a Samsung S21 ultra (or plus) phone with Rogers.
My two year contract will be up in February. The fact that I threatened to pay off the phone in full (got it for zero dollars, paying monthly) changed a few things. The first year of the contract got me 25% off my Cell phone bill. That expired.
When I called in to try and renew it, they did not have anything in the system to offer me, except $16 off per month for my service with Rogers.
So, now I pay $34/month AND they threw in 20g data instead of the 5g of data I had before.
Here's the big quote:
"NOW...if you pay off you phone in full, you LOSE your contracted deal...YOU LOSE that $16 discount and YOU DROP back down to 5g data."
I just said okay...thanks and left it at that...but they don't seem to realize (or care) that I WILL most likely consider someone else if and when I get out of this contract.
Freedom mobile sounds pretty good right now...and no, I do not work for them. lol
- betaylored
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Re: CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
Somebody needs to get a hold of Ryan Reynolds a.s.a.p. We need Mint or their Canuck equivalent.
If you're not happy about your current situation, Chatr is terrific, even if they are owned by Rogers. And no I don't work for them.
I bought an unlocked phone at Staples and paid the bucks up front (just over 200.00) to avoid the complicated contracts. Love my Moto, it's the Volvo of phones.
CRTC = Can't Really Tackle Change
This was something the Stafford show was particularly good at doing, giving listeners actual useful information, Mike would have callers talk about their experiences and share tips on getting the best service etc. It's how I heard about Mobilicity, now Chatr, and switched to them. I do realize this is something they can't do for obvious reasons at Newstalk at least about phone service.
If I may be permitted a small tangent, radio could and should be offering listeners practical ways to save money during these expensive days. Call the segment "Cheap and Cheerful", offer a story from a newspaper, have experts on the show, maybe a heating expert one day, a professional shopper the next, and invite people to call in with questions and stories about how they're saving money.
Last edited by betaylored (October 19, 2022 4:40 pm)
- RadioActive
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Re: CRTC Claims It's Taking New Steps To Increase Cell Phone Competition
CRTC = Can't Really Tackle Chang
I always told people CRTC stood for "Causes Really Tremendous Choas."
But I like yours, too!
If I may be permitted a small tangent, radio could and should be offering listeners practical ways to save money during these expensive days. Call the segment "Cheap and Cheerful", offer a story from a newspaper, have experts on the show, maybe a heating expert one day, a professional shopper the next, and invite people to call in with questions and stories about how they're saving money.
I like the idea, although how you'd feed the beast every day/week once you get past the basics would take some imagination.
At one of the radio stations I worked, we used to do an hour long show every day at noon called "Job Line." It would put people looking for jobs in touch with people who had open positions, and in those pre-Internet days, we actually got a fair number of people hooked up with a gig. I'm sure those who found jobs back then in the days of significant unemployment never forget the radio station that brought them together. (What they thought of us if they were fired is another matter!)
Good for PR, if nothing else.
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