Skip to content

Competition bureau has plan to lower cell phone bills across Canada

In areas where the big three – Telus, Bell and Rogers – have a monopoly, prices are higher
19518563_web1_cellphone-call
(Pxhere)

The Competition Bureau is asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to help small wireless carriers expand across the country.

In a Monday morning news release, the bureau said prices for wireless plans are cheaper in places where regional carriers like Freedom Mobile and Videotron offer services. In areas where the big three – Telus, Bell and Rogers – have a monopoly, prices are higher.

“In regions with wireless disruptors, prices can be 35 to 40 per cent lower,” the bureau said.

The watchdog is recommending the CRTC pursue a “mobile virtual network operator” policy where the big three would need to sell temporary access to their networks to regional carriers which plan to further expand their own networks.

READ MORE: CRTC launches review of cellphone financing to probe fees by telecoms


@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.