NEWS RELEASE
MINISTER OF INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
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OTTAWA—As Canadians continue to use telecommunications services for work, school, shopping and leisure activities, they are more connected than ever before.
The government of Canada in recognition of how affordability to accessing high quality services are very important to Canadian’s daily life, on Jan. 28, 2022, has introduced strong measures to cut the cost of wireless services by 25 per cent.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that, “the government has met its target three months ahead of schedule.” Prices for all tracked mid-range plans have decreased by 25 per cent compared to the benchmark prices collected in early 2020, according to the newly published data for the latest quarter of wireless pricing, which cover the period from October to December 2021.
He added too that, "In 2022, it's simply a matter of fairness that all Canadians be connected at a price they can afford. Our government has met its commitment to reduce the costs of cell phone plans by 25 per cent, but we won't stop there, because Canadians still pay too much for their Internet and cell phones. We'll continue to push aggressively to generate innovation, improve coverage and reduce the costs of telecommunications services using every tool we have."
Government policies to promote competition in the past two years has resulted in better prices for consumers. Steps taken to enhance competition include, among others:
- setting out pro-competition rules for the 600 MHz band spectrum auction that led to regional providers more than doubling their share of low-band spectrum
- issuing a policy direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that requires the Commission to consider how its decisions can promote competition, affordability, consumer interests and innovation
- reserving 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz spectrum auction for small and regional telecom companies
- regulating roaming rates through the CRTC to help small and regional telecom companies compete via access to incumbent networks in certain circumstances
The government will build on the progress made thus far on reducing the cost of wireless services, and continues to follow-up on policies to make wireless services more affordable, for all Canadians.