The federal government today announced the results of the 15th annual Price Comparison Study of Telecom Services, which samples pricing for both wireless and broadband internet services in six different regional markets across Canada
According to the government-commissioned report, Canada’s wireless prices went down by an average of 2.6% across all service levels during 2022. What’s more, the largest data plans saw prices drop by up to 16%.
On the broadband internet side, the study found that average prices either declined or remained the same. Pricing for mid-range home internet plans, however, went down 11% in the year. The report also found that regional telecom operators are offering prices that are up to 39% lower than national incumbents.
“Increasing competition and improving affordability in the telecommunications sector is my top priority,” said Industry, Science and Technology Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Even though the report demonstrates that prices are trending down, Minister Champagne admitted that internet service is still too expensive in Canada.
“Canadians pay too much for these essential services—full stop. I’m pleased to see that prices continue to decline for most wireless and Internet plans; however, there is still more work to do. It’s clear from this study that competition is key to further reducing prices, and our government will continue to pursue the policies necessary to increase consumer choice for telecom services across Canada.”
Ottawa issued a new policy direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) last month, instructing the regulator to focus on internet affordability, competition, and consumer rights.
Minister Champagne currently has wireless and internet giants Rogers and Shaw Communications waiting with bated breath for a decision on their proposed $26 billion merger, which has cleared all other hurdles.
A January report from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) also indicated that broadband and wireless prices in Canada are declining, while data usage and speeds are increasing.
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Mine didn’t.
Well, the Liberals promised 25%, so that’s only off by an order of magnitude … which is actually pretty good, by their standards.
Plans went down because consumers are buying outright from Apple vs financing with carriers. Plans are cheaper!
Seems at least one of Trudeau’s ministers is thorough enjoying legalized marijuana.
He looks to have graduated to coke, also coming to a legal drug dealer next to you (and your kids….).
I’m not sure what he’s on but it sure is keeping him from seeing the real world.
And talk about legalizing coke, I’m reading British Columbia is decriminalizing “hard drugs”, you know…because it the right thing to do…
Prices have gone up, not down. What has gone down is the price per GB. They increase the plan cost by $5 every couple months and increase data buckets by 10-15GB.
Funny, my plan is still the same price.
I really hate this government
How much did food? Gas? Rent? Go up? How much did restaurant prices go up? Thanks to the usurpers justin and jagdeep over spending, yet the wireless companies are the evil bad guys