04-29-2020 06:20 PM
The Liberal government is giving Canada's big three national wireless providers two years to cut their basic prices for cellphone services by 25 per cent — and telling them it will step in to cut prices if they don't comply.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised during the 2019 election campaign to lower cell phone costs for consumers by 25 per cent, saving the average family of four $1,000 per year, based on 2018 prices.
In its election platform, the Liberals said it would target consumer’s mobile phone plans, which it called “some of the highest prices in the world.” Canadian consumers have long complained of high wireless costs in the country, provided by the heavily-regulated telecoms market.
Regards.
05-04-2020 10:18 AM
This was twigged by my ramblings in another thread.
I would suggest to the government that this is how they could help with the telco's. Tell them that when we buy consumable products that we can consume them all.
lol you don't buy a pack of toilet paper and then when you're running low you don't bring the remaining rolls back and buy another pack.
Mandate that the telco's must let the customer use all that they pay for over however much time they like as long as they remain a customer.
05-03-2020 12:06 AM
@Korth wrote:Promising a cut of 25% to save the "average" family of four $1000 per year?
Anyone paying $4K per year (an "average" of $1K per person) is obviously paying for a whole lot more than "basic" service. And is the sort of person who completely lacks financial literacy.
The numbers are implausible, inflated, exaggerated. Which means the promises they're meant to support are equally implausible, inflated, exaggerated.
The numbers might - might - make some sense if the cost of subsidized new premium phones (the lucrative backbone of every contracted plan) are included in these monthly costs. What family of four doesn't have to buy/upgrade/replace one or two phones every year? But I seriously wouldn't believe the Liberals capable of dropping the phone/hardware prices on the Canadian market, lol, they're far too interrelated (and accessible to consumers) with the phone/hardware prices in USA, global, and online markets.
There probably are people that spend this kind of money on cellular service. Don't forget most people only know of two brands of phone and they get them with the service plan. Imagine getting a top of the line iPhone every 2 years. That said, the big 3 will find a way to show how they meet the discount targets set by the feds.
05-02-2020 06:53 PM
nope.
05-02-2020 03:31 PM - edited 05-02-2020 03:41 PM
Promising a cut of 25% to save the "average" family of four $1000 per year?
Anyone paying $4K per year (an "average" of $1K per person) is obviously paying for a whole lot more than "basic" service. And is the sort of person who completely lacks financial literacy.
The numbers are implausible, inflated, exaggerated. Which means the promises they're meant to support are equally implausible, inflated, exaggerated.
The numbers might - might - make some sense if the cost of subsidized new premium phones (the lucrative backbone of every contracted plan) are included in these monthly costs. What family of four doesn't have to buy/upgrade/replace one or two phones every year? But I seriously wouldn't believe the Liberals capable of dropping the phone/hardware prices on the Canadian market, lol, they're far too interrelated (and accessible to consumers) with the phone/hardware prices in USA, global, and online markets.
04-30-2020 03:53 AM
The Liberal government is giving Canada's big three national wireless providers two years to cut their basic prices for cellphone services by 25 per cent — and telling them it will step in to cut prices if they don't comply.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised during the 2019 election campaign to lower cell phone costs for consumers by 25 per cent, saving the average family of four $1,000 per year, based on 2018 prices.
In its election platform, the Liberals said it would target consumer’s mobile phone plans, which it called “some of the highest prices in the world.” Canadian consumers have long complained of high wireless costs in the country, provided by the heavily-regulated telecoms market.
Well I don't like those promises, that usually means they will be subsidizing one way or the other. They should let others compete. TextNow is a Canadian company that is offering free calling to USA residents over Sprint network. It's totally free you just need to pay $10 for sim. 2 gigs of data are 20/mnth unlimited (with fup) is 40/mnth. Did I mention it's a Canadian company? But they are not allowed to operate here
Here's the thing. I think they went to the carriers and said "what can you do to make us look good" and that's what they came back with.
Right now, if you want to save 25-50% on your plan you'll just need to shop around. That's what the flankers are.
Telus has already doubled-down on this, by just advertising the cheaper plans they already had and calling them their "True North Affordability", which meets the 25% savings goal.
The big three will just find other ways, plans or promotions to lure you into spending more money. For example, you may in the end get 25% more value but the cost will remain the same or you’ll be locked into higher price packages to reap the rewards. In the end, same **bleep**, different day. And if you need a new device..... well you get the point. In addition to this they are well known to price increase by the notorious $5 annually and if you want 5G, well, bend over.
Regards.
04-29-2020 07:13 PM
No, a promise is just a promise.