Rogers, Bell, and Telus Just Lost Some of Their Grip on Canada’s Internet Market

CRTC Laptop

The CRTC is making a move that should lead to cheaper monthly internet bills for millions of Canadians. The regulator on Friday has finalized the prices that smaller, independent internet companies have to pay to use the giant fibre networks built by our big telecoms such as Rogers, Telus and Bell.

By locking in these rates, the CRTC is giving smaller providers the green light to offer more competitive plans for home internet, TV, and smart home services to about 8.5 million households.

Essentially, the CRTC is making it easier for smaller independents to use the high-speed infrastructure that’s already in the ground. The regulator says these final prices are based on the actual costs of building and keeping those networks running.

Since dozens of smaller companies are already using these networks to launch new deals, finalizing the costs means they can keep competing without worrying about sudden price hikes from the big players. CRTC Chairperson Vicky Eatrides says this approach is already resulting in more affordable options while still making sure the big companies get paid fairly for their investments.

This ruling is part of a bigger plan to make the internet market less of a headache. On top of helping competitors, the CRTC recently got rid of activation fees on plans and forced companies to give you a heads-up before your discounts or contracts end.

In a separate move today, the regulator also ruled that companies have to let you change or cancel your plan online or through an app, removing the barrier of calling in (which is literally hell on Earth) to big telcos.

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24 Comments
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Bruce
Bruce
1 month ago

So, why is it that the phone companies answer the goddammit phone?

Bruce
Bruce
Reply to  Bruce
1 month ago

Correction So, why is it that the phone companies CAN’T answer the goddam phone?

Mitch
Mitch
Reply to  Bruce
1 month ago

Because they got rid of most of their human employees for AI.

Kyle
Kyle
Reply to  Mitch
1 month ago

False. Rogers has only agents for credit ops and customer care.

Gilmour
Gilmour
Reply to  Kyle
1 month ago

Rogers Customer care is full out the worst ever

Gman
Gman
Reply to  Bruce
1 month ago

New business and they pickup in 2 seconds.

Ronpetel
Ronpetel
Reply to  Bruce
1 month ago

Tell them your wanting to cancel service. They usually find someone to talk to faster

Steve
Steve
1 month ago

Most of the time the phone is being answered by someone in India, who I can’t understand a word they are saying, while the Telecom reap in millions.

Gpdat itel
Gpdat itel
Reply to  Steve
1 month ago

They send the calls to India, because you people are to lazy and take hours to answer the phone. That’s why Carney and Canada want to partner with India on AI and I.T. technology. For your information, calls are mostly handled by BOTS

Richard
Richard
Reply to  Gpdat itel
1 month ago

Seriously, stereotype much ( You People) who would that be? Before you answer I am A Gen Xer I’ve been working since I was 13 and haven’t stopped, A Canadian through to the core, so again who are these People you speak of that are LAZY???

CheapIndia
CheapIndia
Reply to  Gpdat itel
1 month ago

Bro India is cheap labour, you can’t deny the fact. That’s the only reason India get this

Kyle
Kyle
Reply to  Gpdat itel
1 month ago

Rogers customer service is mostly if not all in Canada. And Bell mostly in Philippine

angela
angela
Reply to  Kyle
1 month ago

This is not true. Care and tech support is in India and Morocco… There is 1 third party site left in Canada

Harjit
Harjit
Reply to  Steve
1 month ago

Most are and you can not even understand them. Why do you think everyone wants to leave India. Look at India. What a joke of a country

Jon
Jon
1 month ago

Imagine if you started a company spent billions on infrastructure and then some 3rd party was just able to use all your gear anf undercut you because the government said so.

WTF
WTF
Reply to  Jon
1 month ago

Imagine you started a company that took in billions of taxpayer dollars and tax breaks to build that infrastructure, gave out huge bonuses to corporate staff, then decided that no one else should be allowed to use that infrastructure so you could charge the people who paid for that infrastructure whatever you want. Imagine owning that company and imagine how rich you got by screwing over taxpayers.

TheBoiledOne
TheBoiledOne
Reply to  WTF
1 month ago

Best response I’ve read lately! Kudos

Jared
Jared
Reply to  WTF
1 month ago

Maybe the government should just build the infrastructure themselves

Carney Heater
Carney Heater
Reply to  Jon
1 month ago

Goverments trying to control bell, rogers, telus while they tax you to death, rob you blind.
How come we dont have a CRTC for this corrupt mofo Carney liberal fks?

Judy
Judy
Reply to  Carney Heater
24 days ago

This problem is terrible…been so for decades! Remember Carney only here as PM one year. Suggest *Get more info..expand argument…show examples of rates for other nations…other countries..ie Thailand, Australia, Korea, France, Spain, Denmark…etc. they are amazed as to what we Cdns. are paying. Politics aside, this is Corp.greed. Best wishes J

Elaine
Elaine
1 month ago

Where is the incentive to expand or improve networks ?

Carney Heater
Carney Heater
Reply to  Elaine
1 month ago

Exactly…. are these 3rd party fks gonna pay for maintenance and expansion of the network or they just gonna use it?

nekkidtruth
nekkidtruth
Reply to  Elaine
1 month ago

🙄

bcr1010
bcr1010
Reply to  Elaine
1 month ago

They could just keep asking for free taxpayer money from the federal government as they’ve been doing for decades

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