Some Cellphone Plans Not As Cheap As They Were Before Rogers-Shaw Merger: Competition Bureau | CBC News

British Columbia

Some phone plans pricier than before Rogers-Shaw deal: watchdogCertain cellphone plans in Western Canada are not as cheap as they once were prior to the Rogers-Shaw merger, Canada’s competition watchdog says.

Commons committee hears Rogers is not offering plans comparable in price to Shaw’s before $26B takeoverThe Canadian Press

· Posted: Feb 26, 2024 5:17 PM EST | Last Updated: February 26

Rogers merged with Shaw in a $26-billion deal in April 2023. MPs on a House of Commons industry committee sounded the alarm about rising prices in January. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)Certain cellphone plans in Western Canada are not as cheap as they were prior to the Rogers-Shaw merger, Canada’s competition watchdog says.

Jeanne Pratt, the Competition Bureau’s senior deputy commissioner of mergers and monopolistic practices, says the agency hasn’t seen evidence showing Rogers Communications Inc. is offering comparable pricing for bundled wireless plans offered by Shaw Mobile in Alberta and British Columbia before the $26-billion takeover closed last April.

Pratt was testifying at the House of Commons industry committee on Monday along with representatives from the CRTC, as MPs study the accessibility and affordability of wireless and broadband services in Canada.

MPs on the committee sounded the alarm in January, when Rogers confirmed prices were going up by an average of $5 for wireless customers not on contract and some Bell Canada customers were also told their wireless bills were set to increase.

The committee has invited the chief executives of Rogers, Bell parent BCE Inc., and Telus Corp. to testify at an upcoming meeting. However, a notice of meeting this Wednesday lists other representatives of the “Big Three” carriers who are scheduled to appear as witnesses.

NDP MP Brian Masse tabled a motion Monday to summon the three CEOs to appear if the committee’s invitation is not accepted.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *