Rogers, Bell, Telus Double Data in Low-Cost Wireless Plans

Canada’s Big Three wireless carriers have announced that they are doubling the amount of data they include in their low-cost data-only plan proposals. However, it seems none of them will do it on their flagship brand.

The data-only plans were requested by federal regulators after they met widespread criticism. The CRTC initially asked the carriers to come up with more affordable data-only plans after they got an order from the Federal government.

Bell and Rogers have proposed new lower-end plans. Rogers will offer 250 MB for $15 per month on its subsidiary Fido. Bell proposing 500 MB of 3G data for $15 per month under its subsidiary Lucky Mobile. In a statement within Bell’s submission, they said:

“The geographic expansion of Lucky Mobile is a testament to the competitiveness of the retail wireless market in Canada — if the market was not competitive, we would have no reason to invest in Lucky Mobile’s expansion across the country.”

Telus also decided not to make the lowest-cost plans available on its flagship brands. All three carriers currently have their cheapest plans starting at around $80 per month, and they come with local calling, messaging, and 3GB of data.

The new proposed plans are offering the following LTE data and prices through their flanker brands:

• Virgin: 1GB for $28
• Fido: 1GB for $30
• Koodo: 1GB for $30

What do you think of the Big Three’s approach to offering these revised low-cost data-only plans? Let us know in the comments below.

[via The Financial Post]