Bell Admits Employees Were Trained to Discourage $25 Basic TV Sales

Signage is displayed outside of a BCE Inc. Bell Canada store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. BCE Inc., Canada?s second-largest wireless carrier, topped second-quarter profit estimates and increased its annual forecast after adding more smartphone subscribers on lucrative long-term contracts. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

During an ongoing CRTC hearing in Gatineau, Quebec, Bell Canada announced several changes to its $25 basic TV plan.

The telecom announced that it will no longer force Fibe TV customers to also sign up for Fibe Internet. The company also admitted for the first time that they designed training manual instructing employees not to promote its cheapest TV plan.

The basic TV package is currently available to customers for $25/month, and even though it is a cheap plan it is still receiving a number of complaints. The hearings that are taking place in Gatineau this week aim to address those complaints.

According to a report from the CBC, Bell was reportedly about to come under fire from critics for its basic TV service. However, just a day before the hearing, Bell announced that its Fibe TV would be available as a standalone product starting in early 2017.

Bell said that the announcement was part of an ongoing decision process, however many people are skeptical about the timing of the announcement. In addition, Bell also came under fire because they told its employees not to promote its basic TV package to customers.

Rogers reportedly also made adjustments to its basic TV plan in response to the CRTC hearings.

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.