Mobile Rates Going Up Due to 2 Year Plan Changes

[4X4]

Originally Posted by fotze

Followed!

.......probably because he has the word 'clit' in his name.......

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by 4X4

.......probably because he has the word 'clit' in his name.......

And hero

[Igster]

Massive United States carrier Verizon had expressed interest in entering the Canadian wireless space, potentially acquiring either WIND Mobile or Mobilicity. Fran Shammo, Verizon CFO, recently confirm his intentions and stated “we’re looking at the opportunity. This is just us dipping our toe in the water.”

http://mobilesyrup.com/2013/08/14/ve...nd-mobilicity/

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Telus and Bell share towers and spectrum. All three have been hoarding spectrum for years. Eff em, who cares. One thing doesn't go their way and they whine and try to appeal to my patriotism?

Eff em in the A.

What I find hilarious about these recent commercials they have flooded TV and radio airwaves with is when they tell us that it's a myth that Canadians pay more than Americans and that the big three are actually providing cheaper services than US carriers. If that's the case shouldn't they have nothing to worry about? I sure hope average Canadians aren't actually falling for this incredibly lame patriotic tactic.

"Sweetheart deals for US giants are a bad call for you"

As a Canadian consumer I actually find the big three's obvious disregard for my intelligence as offensive. How exactly is more competition leading to more consumer choices and possibly less expensive services bad for any Canadian consumer?

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I sure hope average Canadians aren't actually falling for this incredibly lame patriotic tactic.

As a Canadian consumer I actually find the big three's obvious disregard for my intelligence as offensive. How exactly is more competition leading to more consumer choices and possibly less expensive services bad for any Canadian consumer?

Indeed, I'd agree.

But you'd probably be surprised at the sheer number of ignorant consumers in any market.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Indeed, I'd agree.

But you'd probably be surprised at the sheer number of ignorant consumers in any market.

At the same time, I'd imagine most of the consumers ignorant or not have already been fed up with dealing with years of overcharging, fees, long contracts, poor customer service etc. etc.

I think regardless of whatever the Big 3 tries to do, they're the bad guys.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Indeed, I'd agree.

But you'd probably be surprised at the sheer number of ignorant consumers in any market.

I'm not actually surprised as I just talked to a co-worker this morning and he took the bait hook, line and sinker as he was going on about how he doesn't like American companies taking over Canada and would stick with Rogers and said "I heard that US customers actually pay more for their services". It kind of made me sad that people can be manipulated so easily.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm not actually surprised as I just talked to a co-worker this morning and he took the bait hook, line and sinker as he was going on about how he doesn't like American companies taking over Canada and would stick with Rogers and said "I heard that US customers actually pay more for their services". It kind of made me sad that people can be manipulated so easily.

Who does pay less by the way? I don't feel like our rates in the US are very cheap. I pay about 80$ a month for 450 minutes, 250 texts and grandfathered unlimited data. That is after a 15% employer discount and if I wasn't grandfathered, would have a 2 GB data plan for the same price. Is that really cheaper than a Canadian equivalent?

[Anduril]

I remember comparing the differences a couple months back and found consistently that the US providers charged more, specifically on single lines as they are much bigger on family/share plans and you can see the influence of that in Telus and Rogers new plans.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Who does pay less by the way? I don't feel like our rates in the US are very cheap. I pay about 80$ a month for 450 minutes, 250 texts and grandfathered unlimited data. That is after a 15% employer discount and if I wasn't grandfathered, would have a 2 GB data plan for the same price. Is that really cheaper than a Canadian equivalent?

People look at Sprint and T-Mobile which provide cheaper options. Compared to the "Big 2" in the U.S. (Verizon and AT&T) prices are pretty much the same.

[QuadCityImages]

Yeah, T-Mobile has a plan for $70 with unlimited everything, including high speed data. They also have a cheap plan ($30, I think?) with unlimited data but almost no voice minutes. A smaller company that just serves the Iowa/midwest area called iWireless has pre-paid unlimited everything plans for $45 a month.

Also, do any carriers in Canada offer truly unlimited data? Its hard to compare the costs when talking infinite things. Comparing to the most expensive and jerky carriers in the US, Verizon/AT&T, doesn't really get you the whole picture.

[MaDMaN_26]

http://openmedia.ca/blog/big-telecom...bying-campaign

[Swayze11]

It seems like some of these plans would actually save me money ($15) and give me more.

Am I the only one?

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

It seems like some of these plans would actually save me money ($15) and give me more.

If you're comparing previous non-promotional plans, there could be some benefits for people needing a lot of voice minutes or Canadian long-distance calls, or for families that have 3 or more smartphone plans.

It's the individual user who wants a low-priced plans with lots of data that lose out.

[corporatejay]

So we know where the conservatives stand on this issue. I for welcome our new Verizon overlords.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Canadians already have some of the lowest cell phone bills in the world.
Fact: Canada is ranked among the ten most expensive countries for wireless services in virtually every category. (Source: OECD Communications Outlook, 2013)
Myth: Canada’s roaming rates are competitive with other countries.
Fact: Canada has among the highest roaming rates in the world. (Source: OECD Report on Mobile Data Roaming, 2011)
Myth: Introducing competition will take away Canadian jobs.
Fact: Since our Government began introducing policies to increase competition in 2008, jobs in the wireless sector have increased by almost 25%. (Source: Statistics Canada, 2012, CANSIM Table: 281-0024, NACIS: 5172)
Myth: New foreign wireless companies will come into Canada through a “loophole” which will squeeze out Canadian owned companies.
Fact: There is no loophole. Our government is supporting increased competition in our wireless sector, which is intended to produce more choice and lower prices. Canada’s wireless industry is currently dominated by Canadian companies. The Canadian incumbents already hold 90% of the telecommunications market and own 85% of the wireless spectrum in Canada.


Backgrounder

Since 2008, our Government has introduced new policies to increase competition in our wireless industry including:

• Lifting the foreign investment restrictions on companies with less than 10% of the telecommunications market;
• Setting aside wireless spectrum for new wireless companies in the 2008 Advanced Wireless Spectrum auction;
• Instituting caps in the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction to ensure new wireless entrants and regional providers have access to prime spectrum.
• Setting conditions so that wireless services are delivered to rural Canadians in a timely manner; and
• Establishing, improving and extending tower sharing and roaming policies.

Foreign entrants cannot enter into Canada and “take over” the Canadian telecom market. Foreign entrants are allowed to invest in companies that hold less than 10% of the Canadian market. A foreign entrant cannot simply “buy up” other Canadian wireless companies to grow beyond the 10% limit; they must grow their company by competing and adding to their subscribers.
Since our Government began introducing policies to increase competition in 2008, jobs in the wireless sector have increased by almost 25%. (Source: Statistics Canada, 2012, CANSIM Table: 281-0024, NACIS: 5172)
Our actions have seen clear results including greater choice and lower prices for Canadians consumers. The average cost of wireless services for Canadians has decreased by nearly 20% since 2008.
All Canadians will benefit from competitive wireless services – whether they live in rural or urban areas. For the first time ever, our Government has put measures in place to ensure rural Canadians will have access to the most advanced services in a timely way.
Canadian wireless sector investment has increased 40% since 2008 and new entrants have invested billions in the Canadian economy.
The Big Three incumbents, Rogers, Telus and Bell, own 85% of the spectrum available in Canada and hold 90% of the market share.
In the 1980’s and 90’s many of the incumbents received substantial start-up advantages including the granting of spectrum through a non-competitive process.

http://www.consumersfirst.ca/

[chemgear]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97F0YZ20130816

Canada's three biggest wireless companies plan to attack Verizon Communications Inc's role in the U.S. government's electronic spying scandal, as they scramble to force Ottawa to rethink rules that encourage Verizon to set up in Canada, according to four sources.

[Rathji]

I really question that tactic, but then again I actually understand the situation, whereas I suspect 98% of the Canadian population have no idea aside from a couple headlines 2 months ago.

Might actually work...

[WilsonFourTwo]

And now the latest is that every board member of the Big 3 have signed a letter to the government (to Stephen Harper, and in preparation for their meeting today with Industry Minister James Moore) explaining how Ottawa is basically allowing for the death of the Canadian Wireless Industry.

Toronto Star Article

You know, they may even be right, who knows for sure? What I do know for sure is that I'm ready to roll the dice and find out for sure.

[FlameOn]

That's rich coming from the big three about things not being fair. In the clearnet days I remember Telus and a few other companies buying spectrum (with no intent of immediate use) through a holdings company with the sole intent of keeping out of the hands of competition during auction.

Them being limited to only one spectrum block at this point is fair given their past anti-competitive behaviour and the huge holdings of spectrum the big 3 already own.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by accord1999

If you're comparing previous non-promotional plans, there could be some benefits for people needing a lot of voice minutes or Canadian long-distance calls, or for families that have 3 or more smartphone plans.

It's the individual user who wants a low-priced plans with lots of data that lose out.

Makes sense. I'm still amazed people need more then 500 MB. I consider myself an average user and I think the most I've ever used was just under 300 MB. I suppose it adds up if you watch a lot of videos or stream music.