The 2019 Price Comparison Study of Telecommunications Services in Canada and with Foreign Jurisdictions, prepared by Wall Communications Inc., is the twelfth (2019) edition of the annual telecommunications services price comparison report. The purpose of this Study is to provide a detailed comparative price analysis of telecommunications services within Canada, as well as an international comparison (G7 + Australia).
This year, the telecommunications services examined in this Study were classified in three categories: mobile wireless telephony, fixed line broadband internet, and mobile wireless internet. Individual service baskets were defined according to increasing levels of service usage and feature availability under each category.
National incumbents, regional service providers, and resellers/mobile virtual network operators were sampled for the Study. Domestically, prices were collected in six cities across Canada (Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver). Internationally, data was collected in seven countries, including four cities in the United States (Boston, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Seattle), and the largest city in all other countries (Australia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and Japan).
Table of contents
- Executive Summary
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Methodology
- 3.0 Mobile Wireless service
- 4.0 Broadband Internet Service
- 5.0 Mobile Internet Service
- Attachment 1 – Service Baskets
- Attachment 2 - Canadian Price Comparisons
- Attachment 3 - International Price Comparisons
- Attachment 4 - Canadian Roaming Rates
Executive Summary
This is the twelfth (2019) edition of ISED's annual telecom services price comparison study. The purpose of this Study is to provide a detailed comparative price analysis of telecommunications services in Canada relative to the United States and six other countries. The individual service categories covered by the Study are:
- Mobile Wireless;
- Fixed Line Broadband Internet; and
- Mobile Wireless Internet.
For each individual service category, prices are measured for a series of defined "service baskets" which have been designed to reflect typical Canadian low to high telecom service usage levels and features. A middle or "average" consumption basket for a typical Canadian consumer is included in each service category. There are three to six service baskets or "levels" defined for each service category. The lowest available advertised regular prices, as offered by the surveyed service providers included in the study, are used to measure the prices of each of the defined service baskets.
For Canada, the surveyed service providers include the incumbent telephone companies (e.g., Bell and TELUS) and cable companies (e.g., Rogers, Shaw and Videotron), resellers of telephony and/or Internet access (e.g., Primus, Teksavvy and Distributel) and regional wireless market providers (e.g., Freedom, SaskTel, Videotron and EastLink). In addition, Flanker brands (offered by the national mobile wireless providers or incumbent fixed broadband providers) are included and used for separate comparisons. Prices are measured in six metropolitan areas: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver. Aggregate Canada-wide prices are determined on a weighted average basis.
For international comparison purposes, prices have also been measured using the same methodology for the same set of service baskets for seven other countries: Australia (Sydney), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), the United Kingdom (London) and the United States (Boston, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Seattle).
Key changes to this year's Study include the elimination of tracking landline telephony prices and any type of bundled service. In addition the lowest mobile wireless basket (i.e. simply 150 minutes of voice service) has been dropped. Flanker broadband services are examined in a spotlight section. We also provide a substantive examination of recently released national MNO mobile plans.Footnote 1
The highlights of this year's price comparison study update follow.
Mobile Wireless
Five service basket levels are considered for the mobile wireless service category:
- Level 1: 450 voice minutes and 300 SMS (texts);
- Level 2: 1,200 voice minutes, 300 texts and 1 GB of data usage per month;
- Level 3: unlimited nationwide talk and text along with 2 GB of data;
- Level 4: unlimited nationwide talk and text along with 5 GB of data; and
- Level 5: Shared plan with 3 phones lines and unlimited nationwide talk and text along with 10 to 49 GB of data.
Mobile Wireless Trends:
- Domestic Trends: All Canadian mobile wireless service basket prices have decreased (or remained unchanged) this year relative to last – i.e., decreased by 4.6%, 8.7%, 1.4%, (.3%) and 9.7%, respectively. Average mobile wireless prices were generally found to be lowest in the cities of Winnipeg, Montreal and Regina, consistent with previous years.
- Since 2008, when the first Telecom Pricing Study was undertaken, mobile wireless prices in Canada have generally trended downwards with CAGRs over the relevant period between roughly 4% and 5%.
- Regionals' Prices:Footnote 2 The Regionals continue to offer mobile wireless prices that are significantly lower than those of the incumbents – i.e., 34%, 45%, 31%, 28% and 12% lower for service basket Levels 1 to 5, respectively.
- Incumbent Flanker Brand Prices:Footnote 3 The differentials between the incumbents' flanker and primary brand service prices are in the range of 22% to 34% lower (with the exception of Level 5 where flanker prices are slightly higher by 3%). Flankers tend to be lower than incumbent prices both nationally and regionally (except for Level 5).
- Reseller/Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Prices:Footnote 4 Reseller services tend to be lower than incumbents' prices in Nova Scotia, Ontario and BC and higher in Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. On a national average basis, Reseller average prices are lower for Levels 2, Level 3 and Level 4 but slightly higher for Level 1. The differences in incumbent and reseller national average prices tend to be 5% or less (with the exception of Level 2 where resellers are 32% lower). However, price differentials in any given city/basket can exhibit extreme price differences (both higher and lower).
- Market Observation: Freedom Mobile in most cases offers the lowest price for each basket in regions where they offer service (i.e. BC and Ontario).
- International Comparison: Canada has the highest or second highest PPP-adjusted prices in all five Level baskets. Prices in France, the UK and Italy are noticeably lower than most other countries.
- Canada – U.S. Roaming Rates: Stand-alone roaming plans offered by the US national providers result in lower monthly charges than those provided by Canadian national providers. The average PPP adjusted monthly cost of a stand-alone roaming plan in the US is about $50 per month compared to $115 in Canada. Moreover, the US national providers include Canada/US roaming at no charge in their unlimited Smartphone plans – plans that have an average price of just under $100. Pay as You Go roaming charges tend to be similar in Canada and the US, with the exception of data charges where the average price per MB is $2.80 in the US versus $3.71 in Canada.
- Newly Introduced Unlimited Mobile Wireless Plans: Due to the relatively recent introduction of significantly modified mobile plans from the national MNOs (offering unlimited data in particular), we provide a special SPOTLIGHT section on the market changes. Some of the market changes are greater standardization of national MNO pricing across the country as well as the offering of higher end data caps at reduced prices.
Fixed Broadband Internet
Six broadband Internet service baskets are included in the study, which are primarily defined on the basis of download speed:
- Level 1: speeds of 3-9 Mbps;
- Level 2: speeds of 10 to 15 Mbps;
- Level 3: speeds of 16 to 40 Mbps;
- Level 4: speeds of 41 to 100 Mbps;
- Level 5: speeds of 101 to 250 Mbps; and
- Level 6: speeds of 251 to 500 Mbps.
Trends in fixed broadband service:
- Domestic Trends: The average prices of all baskets have fallen since last year (11%, 7%, 22%, 17%, 19% and 25% respectively for baskets 1 through 6). In contrast, the Level 3, 4 and 5 basket prices had all risen in 2018 relative to 2017. Over the last five years, Canadian broadband prices have trended downwards.
- Regional Trends: BC frequently had the lowest prices across the country, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba exhibiting the lowest prices for Level 2 and Level1 respectively.
- Reseller ISP Prices:Footnote 5 Reseller ISP broadband service prices are consistently lower than those of the incumbents across service baskets 2 to 5 (incumbents don't offer a Level 1 service), with price discounts ranging from 4% in the case of the Level 5 basket to 27% in the case of the Level 2 basket.
- International Comparison: Very few of the internationally surveyed service providers continue to offer Level 1 (3-9 Mbps) or Level 2 (10 to 15 Mbps) broadband services. Those who do were found in Canada, the U.S. and the UK (Level 1) with Japan also offering a Level 2 service. Among these countries, Canada was found to have the lowest average Level 1 broadband basket price. Canada also compares favourably in the case of the Level 2 (10 – 15 Mbps) broadband service basket, where it falls in the middle of the group. Otherwise, Canada's average Level 3 to Level 6 basket prices are at the high end of the group of surveyed countries included in the study, although US PPP adjusted prices are higher than Canadian prices in all cases. France only offers Level 5 and 6 baskets but is the low price provider in each basket.
Mobile Internet
Three mobile Internet service baskets are included in the study. Level 1 covers plans providing 2 to 5 GB, Level 2 covers plans providing 5 to 10 GB and Level 3 covers plans providing greater than 10 GB of data usage per month.
- Domestic Trends: This year, the Canadian average Level 1 mobile Internet service price increased by 6% relative to last year. Level 2 prices have increased by about 3% and Level 3 prices remained stable. Since 2015, prices for all three baskets have generally been stable.
- Regionals' Pricing: For the Level 1 mobile Internet service basket, the Regionals' prices are roughly 31% lower than the incumbents on average. For the Level 2 and Level 3 service baskets, the differential is 19%.
- International Comparison: In the case of the Level 1 mobile Internet service basket, the average Canadian price of $40.60 is slightly higher than the US, considerably lower than Japan and much higher than the UK or Germany. The pattern is roughly repeated for the Level 2 and Level 3 service basket, where the Canadian price is lower than the US and Japan but higher than all other countries.
The following table provides a summary of the 2019 price comparison results for Canada and the seven surveyed foreign jurisdictions included in the study. All reported prices for the surveyed foreign jurisdictions exclude sales taxes and are expressed in purchasing power parity (PPP) adjusted Canadian dollars.
– | Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wireless Service | ||||||||
Level 1 (Talk and Text) | $37.62 | $42.89 | n/a | $16.32 | $10.76 | $12.25 | $14.92 | $35.31 |
Level 2 (1 GB) | $64.80 | $50.17 | n/a | $35.56 | n/a | n/a | $22.89 | $57.82 |
Level 3 (2 GB data) | $74.42 | $59.50 | $22.35 | $24.72 | $33.09 | $26.80 | $41.08 | $78.42 |
Level 4 (5 GB data) | $87.57 | $63.04 | n/a | $28.48 | $27.28 | n/a | $54.67 | $95.63 |
Level 5 (10-49 GB data) | $205.78 | $171.41 | $67.80 | $64.36 | $49.55 | $58.30 | $91.01 | $179.31 |
Broadband Service | ||||||||
Level 1 (3-9 Mbps) | $35.98 | $62.50 | n/a | $37.52 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Level 2 (10–15 Mbps) | $53.20 | $69.35 | n/a | $40.36 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $47.76 |
Level 3 (16–40 Mbps) | $55.20 | $69.02 | $62.36 | $46.11 | n/a | $49.26 | $49.15 | n/a |
Level 4 (41–100Mbps) | $72.01 | $75.48 | $75.06 | $55.20 | n/a | $42.27 | $53.80 | $63.69 |
Level 5 (100–249 Mbps) | $83.25 | $93.01 | n/a | $75.87 | $33.79 | $49.26 | $65.87 | $77.69 |
Level 6 (250–500 Mbps) | $93.03 | $120.62 | n/a | $78.62 | $41.20 | $42.27 | $47.64 | $76.31 |
Mobile Internet | ||||||||
Level 1 (2–5 GB) | $40.60 | $39.72 | n/a | $15.12 | n/a | n/a | $20.45 | $66.43 |
Level 2 (5-10 GB) | $64.04 | $62.05 | $15.03 | $21.11 | $20.73 | $10.56 | $32.81 | $69.41 |
Level 3 (10+ GB) | $82.99 | $85.97 | $23.66 | $27.85 | $30.05 | $15.06 | $40.50 | $98.68 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
– | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | YoY% 2019/18 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wireless Service | ||||||||
Level 1 (Talk and Text) | $37.62 | $39.43 | $40.95 | −4.59% | ||||
Level 2 (1 GB) | $64.80 | $70.99 | $70.70 | −8.72% | ||||
Level 3 (2 GB data) | $74.42 | $75.44 | $81.61 | −1.36% | ||||
Level 4 (5 GB data) | $87.57 | $87.32 | $104.49 | 0.29% | ||||
Level 5 (10-49 GB data) | $205.78 | $227.87 | $264.65 | −9.69% | ||||
Broadband Service | ||||||||
Level 1 (3-9 Mbps) | $35.98 | $40.67 | $41.83 | −11.54% | ||||
Level 2 (10–15 Mbps) | $53.20 | $57.36 | $65.54 | −7.26% | ||||
Level 3 (16–40 Mbps) | $55.20 | $70.70 | $65.59 | −21.91% | ||||
Level 4 (41–100Mbps) | $72.01 | $87.00 | $82.54 | −17.23% | ||||
Level 5 (100–249 Mbps) | $83.25 | $102.76 | $95.10 | −18.99% | ||||
Level 6 (250–500 Mbps) | $93.03 | $123.87 | n/a | −24.90% | ||||
Mobile Internet | ||||||||
Level 1 (2–5 GB) | $40.60 | $38.28 | $43.01 | 6.08% | ||||
Level 2 (5-10 GB) | $64.04 | $61.90 | $60.79 | 3.45% | ||||
Level 3 (10+ GB) | $82.99 | $83.35 | $82.28 | −0.43% | ||||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
1.0 Introduction
This study provides a 2019 update of the previous annual telecommunications price comparison studies conducted since 2008.Footnote 6
The consumer telecom service categories covered in this study include the following categories:Footnote 7
- Mobile wireless telephony;
- Fixed line broadband Internet; and
- Mobile wireless Internet.
A series of service baskets reflecting different service usage and feature levels was established for each service category in the first Study of 2008. Consistency in category characteristics over time is sought to the extent possible. However, key market changes may lead to some category revisions. Service category revisions and additions have occurred in past years and are noted where relevant. In short, the Studies attempt to balance maintaining consistent categories over time (to allow for inter-temporal comparisons) while recognizing that key technological and market changes should be reflected in the prices being tracked.
For Canada, the study provides a comparison of prices for each defined basket in each service category for the following cities: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver. Service prices for Canada as a whole are derived as the weighted averages (according to market share and population weights) of the prices measured for each of the six surveyed cities. The prices of national service providers (i.e. MNOs), regional providers, flanker brands and resellers are reported.
The study also measures prices for the same set of service category baskets for Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (U.K.) and the United States (U.S.). As a result, the study covers all G7 countries along with Australia. Major service providers in each country are surveyed. Service basket prices in these seven foreign jurisdictions are compared with those measured for Canada.
There are some notable modifications and additions to this year's StudyFootnote 8:
- Prices for fixed (or landline) telephony are not tracked this year;
- Prices for bundled service are not tracked this year (as was the case in part for the 2018 Study);
- The former Level 1 service category for Mobile Wireless is not tracked;Footnote 9 and
- Flanker brands providing fixed broadband services in Canada are examined this year and are discussed in a spotlight section.
We also note that a special Spotlight section on mobile wireless has been added to this year's edition, due to a significant change in Canadian national MNO pricing that occurred several months after the initial data collection was conducted. The intent of the Spotlight section is to provide an indication of how the new MNO pricing impacts Canadian average pricing. The Spotlight exercise is limited in scope but does provide an indication of the new pricing landscape for mobile wireless. Pricing for broadband fixed Internet and mobile Internet has not been impacted.
We note that the construction of price indices is not an exact science and there are multiple methodologies that can be employed. However, the general methodology used in all the Canadian Telecom Pricing Studies has been adopted by other agencies around the world (including the OECD) and provides a legitimate and useful snapshot of the listed prices available to consumers for various levels of telecom services.
In terms of layout, the next section of this report, Section 2, provides a brief review of the methodology used to measure and compare stand-alone and bundled service basket prices, and describes in more detail all changes made in the 2019 study relative to last year's study. The remaining three sections of the report, Sections 3 through 5, provide Canadian and international price comparison results for mobile wireless, broadband Internet and mobile Internet, respectively. A detailed summary of all service baskets and bundles included in the study is provided in Attachment 1. Historical domestic price levels for various services and baskets are provided in Attachment 2. International historical price series are provided in Attachment 3.
2.0 Methodology
2.1 Service Basket Design
As in previous studies, this study relies on the service basket-based price comparison methodology described in Wall Communications' 2008 methodology report.Footnote 10 Various modifications to the 2008 methodology have been made in successive studies primarily to reflect changes in service usage patterns or market characteristics over time.
The price comparison methodology used in this study is based on a "service basket" approach where separate telecom service baskets are defined on the basis of increasing "levels" of service usage, features and, where applicable, performance. The number of defined service basket levels for each of the stand-alone telecom services considered in this study varies from three to six in total:
- Mobile Wireless: Basket Levels 1 to 5
- Broadband Internet Access: Basket Levels 1 to 6
- Mobile Internet Access: Basket Levels 1 to 3.
Each of the service baskets has been designed to reflect, as applicable, low, mid, high and higher volumes, including unlimited service options that are generally intended to capture a broad range of typical Canadian consumer usage levels, including an "average" consumption basket for a typical Canadian consumer.
The specific service elements included in each service basket are described in the following sections and the associated service elements and usage assumptions in each case are also summarized in Attachment 1.
2.2 Canadian Price Data Collection
The Canadian price data included in the study has been collected from a variety of telecom service providers (TSPs), including incumbent telephone companies (i.e., Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, Bell-MTS and TELUS) and incumbent cable companies (i.e., Eastlink, Videotron, Rogers, Access and Shaw). Service prices from resellers Primus, Vonage, Teksavvy, Petro-Can, and PC MobileFootnote 11 are also collected for the study. In addition, mobile wireless services offered by regional wireless service providers Freedom, EastLink, Videotron and SaskTel are also taken into account. In terms of geographic coverage, price data is collected for each of the following six Canadian cities: Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver. Table 1 provides a list of the surveyed Canadian service providers in this year's study broken out by city and by service basket.
City | Service Baskets | Service Providers |
---|---|---|
Halifax | Broadband Internet | Bell Aliant, Eastlink, Teksavvy and Primus |
Mobile Wireless | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Eastlink, PC Mobile, Petro-Can, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Eastlink | |
Montreal | Broadband Internet | Bell, Videotron, Primus, Teksavvy, Distributel, Incumbent Flanker Brands |
Mobile Wireless | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Primus, Videotron, PC Mobile, Petro-Can, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Videotron, Primus | |
Toronto | Broadband Internet | Bell, Rogers, Primus, Teksavvy, Distributel, Incumbent Flanker Brands |
Mobile Wireless | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Primus, Freedom, Petro-Can, PC Mobile, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Freedom, Primus | |
Winnipeg | Broadband Internet | Bell-MTS, Shaw, Teksavvy |
Mobile Wireless | Bell-MTS, TELUS, Rogers, PC Mobile, Petro-Can, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | MTS, Bell, TELUS, Rogers | |
Regina | Broadband Internet | SaskTel, Access Communications, Teksavvy |
Mobile Wireless | SaskTel, Bell, TELUS, Rogers, PC Mobile, Primus, Petro-Can, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | SaskTel, Bell, TELUS, Rogers | |
Vancouver | Broadband Internet | TELUS, Shaw, Primus, Teksavvy |
Mobile Wireless | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Primus, Freedom, PC Mobile, Incumbent Flanker Brands | |
Mobile Internet | Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Freedom, Primus | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
City-specific prices for each of the stand-alone and bundled service baskets offered by the TSPs listed in Table 1 are determined using each service provider's respective estimated subscriber-based market share as weights.Footnote 12 In addition, to determine Canada-wide market prices, city-specific prices are aggregated using corresponding city population levels as weights. Weighted average prices for each surveyed city and for Canada are provided in Attachment 2 for each of the service baskets and bundles included in this study.
In addition, for the mobile wireless service baskets, services offered by the incumbents' flanker brand services – i.e., Bell Virgin, Rogers Fido and TELUS Koodo – are also taken into account. The incumbents' flanker brand service prices are included in the calculation of the above-noted city-specific and national aggregate prices.Footnote 13 In Section 3.2 below, the incumbents' flanker brand prices are compared with incumbents' and regionals' mobile wireless prices as a separate analysis.
The price data collected for this study is drawn from the surveyed TSPs' websites and, where necessary, supplemented with further clarifications from customer service representatives (CSRs).Footnote 14 The price data reflects currently advertised prices that are generally available to new customers or existing customers changing service plans. The lowest available currently advertised price is used to determine the total price of each service basket. For this purpose, regular or "basic" prices are used – short-term promotional discounts available to new customers are not taken into account.Footnote 15
In keeping with past studies, prices for baskets that include data also include the cost of a smartphone. For early years in the study, the (amortized or rental) price of a specified smartphone (such as an Apple iPhone 5 or 6) was typically included into the basket. More recently a non-standardized, lower cost smartphone has been utilized. The reasons for moving away from a standardized smartphone are numerous: the variety of smartphones today makes choosing a "standard" phone problematic, the sophistication of even low cost smartphones provides consumers with considerable functionality, and the supply of smartphones (from several manufacturers as well as including the resale market) has made the purchase price of smartphones with basic and in some cases advanced features drop to levels in the $100 range, rendering the leasing cost (explicit or implicit) relatively low.
When choosing the basket price from each vendor in each basket, we examine prices for plans that include a smartphone, prepaid plans and bring-your-own-device plans. Where a smartphone is not included in a plan, we amortize the listed purchase price of a lower-cost smartphone over a 24 month period to derive a monthly device cost.
2.3 International Price Data Collection
Seven foreign jurisdictions are included in the study: Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. With the exception of the U.S., in each case, price data was collected for the services available in each country's largest city. For the U.S., four cities of varying size distributed across that country were used – i.e., Boston, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Seattle. The service providers surveyed by country and, as applicable by city, are summarized in Table 2.Footnote 16
City | Basket | Service Providers |
---|---|---|
United States | ||
Boston, MA | Broadband Internet | Verizon, Comcast/Xfinity, RCN |
Mobile Wireless | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US RegionalsFootnote 1 | |
Mobile Internet | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint | |
Kansas City, MO | Broadband Internet | AT&T, Time Warner, Windstream, Xfinity |
Mobile Wireless | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US RegionalsFootnote 1 | |
Mobile Internet | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint | |
Minneapolis, MN | Broadband Internet | CenturyLink, Comcast/Xfinity |
Mobile Wireless | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US RegionalsFootnote 1 | |
Mobile Internet | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint | |
Seattle, WA | Broadband Internet | CenturyLink, Comcast/Xfinity, Wave |
Mobile Wireless | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US RegionalsFootnote 1 | |
Mobile Internet | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint | |
United Kingdom | ||
London | Broadband Internet | BT, Virgin, EEFootnote 2, AOL |
Mobile Wireless | EE, Virgin, Vodafone, O2, "3" | |
Mobile Internet | EE, Virgin, Vodafone, O2, "3" | |
Australia | ||
Sydney | Broadband | Telstra and Optus |
Mobile Wireless/Internet | Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Virgin | |
France | ||
Paris | Broadband | Orange (France Telecom), SFR (Neuf Cegetel), NumericableFootnote 3 |
Mobile Wireless/Internet | Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom | |
Germany | ||
Berlin | Broadband Internet | DT, KDFootnote 4, Vodafone |
Mobile Wireless/Internet | DT, KD, Vodafone, E-plus (KPN), O2 | |
Italy | ||
Rome | Broadband | Telecom Italia, FastWeb, Vodafone |
Mobile Wireless/Internet | Telecom Italia (TIM), Vodafone, WIND, "3" | |
Japan | ||
Tokyo | Broadband Internet | NTT, J:Com, KDDI, Yahoo! BB |
Mobile Wireless/Internet | NTT DoCoMo, SoftbankFootnote 5, au KDDI, Y!MobileFootnote 5 | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canadian incumbent flanker brand mobile wireless price information is included in Canadian prices. The U.S. regional brand (i.e. US Cellular and C-Spire) service prices are not included in the calculation of U.S. national aggregate prices.Footnote 17
For international price comparison purposes, foreign currency prices have been converted to Canadian dollars using currency market exchange rates adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) differences between countries. For this study, the OECD's latest available PPP comparative price level indexes for 2018 were used for this purpose in conjunction with average market exchange rates for the same period.Footnote 18
Canadian dollar-based price comparisons between Canada and other countries can be affected significantly by year-over-year currency exchange rate fluctuations. PPP-adjusted exchange rates take into account both changes in exchange rates and PPP adjustment factors between countries and, therefore, generally provide a more appropriate economic basis for comparing price levels between countries. For this reason, all of the international price comparison results shown in the main body of this report are based on PPP-adjusted Canadian dollars. Own-currency and non-PPP-adjusted Canadian dollar price comparisons are provided in Attachment 3.
It should be noted that fluctuations in both exchange rates and PPP adjustment factors could affect international price comparisons over time. This caveat is particularly relevant to inter-temporal comparisons given the significant changes in both exchange rates and PPP adjustment factors over the last decade.
As well, it should also be noted that service prices in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan are typically quoted inclusive of retail value added taxes (VAT) or goods and services taxes (GST). Where appropriate, we have excluded applicable VAT or GST charges to allow cross-country comparisons of service prices excluding government sales taxes.Footnote 19 On the other hand, where applicable, other industry-specific regulatory fees and surcharges are included for price comparison purposes (e.g., 9-1-1 fees, universal service fees and other regulatory fees).
2.4 Summary of New Additions and Updates
As noted at the outset, there are several modifications to this year's study. These include:
- Prices for fixed (or landline) telephony are not tracked this year;
- Prices for bundled service are not tracked this year (as was the case in part for the 2018 Study);
- There is a spotlight section on recently introduced Canadian large (and unlimited) data mobile wireless plans (with no data overage charges) from the national MNO providers;
- The former Level 1 service category for Mobile Wireless is not tracked;Footnote 20
- Flanker brands providing broadband services in Canada are examined this year and are discussed in a spotlight section; and
- As in previous years' studies, updated market share information has been used to determine current year Canadian and international weighted average prices.Footnote 21
Since it was first conducted in 2008, each successive price comparison study update has incorporated a number of methodological and measurement changes (such as those just mentioned). Some adjustments can significantly affect comparisons of measured prices over the historical period. In general, given the ongoing methodological and measurement modifications to the study on a year-to-year basis, caution should be exercised when considering price trends over time.
3.0 Mobile Wireless Service
3.1 Mobile Wireless Service Baskets
As in previous studies, the following mobile wireless service element charges, where applicable, are considered for price comparison purposes:
- network access/airtime charges (taking into account defined amounts of daytime, evening and weekend minute volumes);
- optional feature charges (e.g., voice mail, call display and others);
- long distance charges for both domestic and international calls;
- short message service (SMS) or text message charges;
- data service charges; and
- any other applicable monthly service charges such as emergency, universal service and/or other regulatory fees.
As a general point, we note that several service elements have diminished in importance as service differentiators over the past ten years. These include distinctions in time of day or week minutes, optional features and long distance versus local minutes. On the other hand, data allotment has grown in prominence – in some cases being the key service characteristic that is marketed.
There are several notable charges or costs that are excluded from the calculation of mobile service prices in this study, including: one-time charges (such as activation fees), upfront handset or device costs and roaming charges. However, a separate comparative analysis of Canadian and U.S. roaming charges is provided in Section 3.4 below.
Five mobile wireless service baskets are included in the study. Each basket consists of the following main elements (note: Level 1 from previous studies has been eliminated):
- Level 1: 450 incoming & outgoing minutes per month, with 10% of outgoing minutes treated as long distance, two optional features (voice mail and call display), and 300 texts per month. Footnote 22
- Level 2: 1,200 incoming & outgoing minutes per month, with 15% of outgoing minutes treated as long distance, more than two optional features, 300 texts and 1 GB data usage per month.
- Level 3: Unlimited nationwide talk and text (no international calling included), more than two optional features, and 2 GB data usage per month.
- Level 4: Unlimited nationwide talk and text (no international calling included), more than two optional features, and 5 GB targeted data usage per month.
- Level 5: Family Basket - Unlimited nationwide talk and text (no international calling included), more than two optional features, 10 to 49 GB data usage per month and three lines.
Table A1.1 in Attachment 1 provides a more detailed summary of each of the service elements and usage assumptions included in all five mobile wireless service baskets.
Prices are measured for each of the mobile wireless service baskets based on a TSP's standard mobile service plan rates. Where applicable, both "pre-paid" and "post-paid" service options are considered. The less expensive of the two options is used to determine the service basket price.
Post-paid plans can be offered on a no-contract or term-contract basis (the most common term being 24 months in the latter case).Footnote 23 Term-contract service plans typically provide a means for subscribers to purchase a new handset or device at a discounted price. Such plans generally include an implicit or explicit handset cost recovery component in the service plan price. No-contract term, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) or SIM card only, service plans are also often available at lower price points given they do not include a handset cost recovery component. An implicit handset cost is added to the BYOD plans, where appropriate, for comparability. Where a particular handset is common to all carriers within a country, then that handset has generally been used for pricing purposes. Entry-level handsets (amortized over 24 months) are typically used for implicit cost component pricing. Consistent with previous years' studies, as applicable, the post-paid service plan prices collected for this study are based on term-contract service plans.Footnote 24
3.2 Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices
Figure 3 provides a summary of 2019 Canadian prices for all five mobile wireless service baskets. Weighted average prices range from $37.62 per month for a Level 1 plan (Note: in previous years, this was the Level 2 plan with 450 minutes of talk and 300 texts) to $205.78 per month for a Level 5 Canada-wide unlimited talk and text family plan with up to 50 GB of data.
Figure 3: 2019 Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket
![Bar chart illustrating the 2019 Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating the 2019 Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-3-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
Figure 4 below provides a summary of Canadian weighted average mobile wireless prices for each service basket Levels 1 through 5 for the four-year period 2016 to 2019. More detailed historical mobile wireless price information by service basket and city is provided in Table A2.1 in Attachment 2.
- The Level 1 mobile wireless service basket price decreased from $39.43 in 2018 to $37.62 in 2019, a decrease of 4.6%. Average 2019 Level 1 prices varied by city, from a low of between $27.72 in Regina to a high of $39.77 in Halifax. Level 1 basket prices have fallen from $48.77 in 2016 to $37.62 today.
- The Level 2 price decreased from $70.99 in 2018 to $64.80 in 2019. Average 2019 Level 2 mobile wireless prices varied from $44.87 in Montreal to $75.70 in Vancouver. Level 2 prices have continued to fall over the period from 2008 to 2019, reaching a new low in 2019.
- The Level 3 service basket price also fell in 2019, decreasing from $75.44 in 2018 to $74.42 in 2019. Average 2019 Level 3 mobile wireless prices varied widely by city, from a low of $53.92 in Montreal to $85.83 in Vancouver. Level 3 prices in 2019 hit a historically low point, considerably lower than the 2014 average price of $93.99.
- The Level 4 service basket price remained stable, increasingly slightly from $87.32 in 2018 to $87.57 in 2019. Average 2019 Level 4 mobile wireless prices also varied widely by city, from a low of $56.66 in Regina to $101.13 in Vancouver. Level 4 basket prices have been declining on average over the last three years.
- Level 5 "Family Basket" service basket prices also dropped significantly from the 2018 level of $227.87 to $205.78 in 2019, a decrease of about 10%. While Level 5 prices have only been tracked for four years, the 2019 prices are lower than the initial year (2016) average price of $231.99. The lowest city price was found in Winnipeg at $143.14 while the highest price was in Halifax at $233.49.
Figure 4: Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket (2016-2019)
![Bar chart illustrating the Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket (2016-2019) (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating the Average Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices by Service Basket (2016-2019) (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-4-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
The lowest average mobile wireless prices were generally found in Winnipeg, Regina and Montreal for most mobile wireless service baskets – consistent with the past several years.
Since 2008, when the first Telecom Pricing Study was undertaken, mobile wireless prices in Canada have generally trended downwards with CAGRs over the relevant period between roughly 4% and 6%.
Comparison of Incumbent and Regional Providers Prices
A comparison of average mobile wireless rates for the incumbent carriers and the regional carriers is provided in Table 3 below. The comparison is provided for six cities: Vancouver and Toronto (where Freedom operates), Montreal (where Videotron operates), Winnipeg (MTS), Regina (SaskTel) and Halifax (where Eastlink operates).Footnote 25 For each of the cities, the incumbent carriers include Rogers, Bell and TELUS.
– | NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | |||||||
Incumbents | $42.10 | $40.46 | $41.67 | $41.67 | $39.27 | $41.67 | $41.14 |
Regionals | $30.55 | $34.46 | $19.00 | $40.00 | $20.94 | $19.00 | $27.33 |
Difference | −27.43% | −14.83% | −54.40% | −4.00% | −46.68% | −54.40% | -33.58% |
Level 2 | |||||||
Incumbents | $85.43 | $50.79 | $87.50 | N/A | N/A | $87.50 | $77.81 |
Regionals | $59.55 | $42.63 | $28.17 | N/A | $53.65 | $28.17 | $42.43 |
Difference | −30.29% | −16.07% | −67.81% | N/A | N/A | −67.81% | -45.46% |
Level 3 | |||||||
Incumbents | $94.73 | $54.90 | $96.11 | $57.78 | $57.05 | $96.11 | $76.11 |
Regionals | $64.55 | $53.63 | $44.17 | $57.92 | N/A | $44.17 | $52.89 |
Difference | −31.86% | −2.32% | −54.04% | 0.25% | N/A | −54.04% | -30.51% |
Level 4 | |||||||
Incumbents | $106.54 | $68.90 | $107.78 | $67.78 | $67.05 | $107.78 | $87.64 |
Regionals | $79.55 | $59.63 | $54.17 | $77.92 | $53.65 | $54.17 | $63.18 |
Difference | −25.33% | −13.46% | −49.74% | 14.97% | −19.99% | −49.74% | -27.91% |
Level 5 | |||||||
Incumbents | $235.43 | $158.79 | $235.00 | $136.67 | $137.61 | $235.00 | $189.75 |
Regionals | $190.55 | $155.46 | $140.00 | $200.00 | $175.94 | $140.00 | $166.99 |
Difference | −19.06% | −2.10% | −40.43% | 46.34% | 27.86% | −40.43% | -11.99% |
Unweighted averages used for incumbents and regionals. Unweighted prices can vary significantly from the weighted prices used in calculating national averages but can be suitable for comparing incumbents and regionals. Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
As shown in Table 3, for the Level 1 mobile wireless service basket, the prices offered by regional carriers are roughly 34% lower on average for the six cities combined. The relative price discounts (on average) available from the regionals in the case of the Level 2 service basket through Level 5 (for all cities combined) are 45%, 31%, 28% and 12% respectively.
Compared to last year's study, the differentials between the incumbents' and Regionals' mobile wireless prices have increased for the lower three baskets and decreased for the upper two baskets.
Incumbent Flanker Brand Prices
Incumbent flanker brand services Bell Virgin, Rogers Fido, and TELUS Koodo are available across the country.
Table 4 below provides a summary of incumbent primary brand, incumbent flanker brand and regional mobile wireless service prices for 2019 in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver for each of the mobile wireless service baskets. It also provides percentage rate differentials between the incumbents' primary and flanker brands as well as the incumbents' flanker brands and the regionals. Except for Level 5, flanker prices are consistently lower than incumbent prices. Flanker prices are 22% to 34% lower than incumbent prices in all Levels except for Level 5. For Level 5, incumbent prices tend to be relatively similar to flanker prices in all regions.
Flanker and incumbent prices tend to be lower in Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan than in other provinces, similar to past years.
– | NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | ||||||||
Incumbents | $42.10 | $40.46 | $41.67 | $41.67 | $39.27 | $41.67 | $41.14 | |
Regionals | $30.55 | $34.46 | $19.00 | $40.00 | $20.94 | $19.00 | $27.33 | |
Flankers | $33.76 | $30.46 | $33.33 | $30.00 | $30.94 | $33.33 | $31.97 | |
Diff F/I | −19.80% | −24.72% | −20.00% | −28.00% | −21.22% | −20.00% | -22.28% | |
Diff F/RG | 10.52% | −11.61% | 75.44% | −25.00% | 47.76% | 75.44% | 17.01% | |
Level 2 | ||||||||
Incumbents | $85.43 | $50.79 | $87.50 | N/A | N/A | $87.50 | $77.81 | |
Regionals | $59.55 | $42.63 | $28.17 | N/A | $53.65 | $28.17 | $42.43 | |
Flankers | $55.14 | $40.46 | $55.00 | N/A | N/A | $55.00 | $51.40 | |
Diff F/I | −35.45% | −20.34% | −37.14% | N/A | N/A | −37.14% | -33.94% | |
Diff F/RG | −7.40% | −5.09% | 95.24% | N/A | N/A | 95.24% | 21.13% | |
Level 3 | ||||||||
Incumbents | $94.73 | $54.90 | $96.11 | $57.78 | $57.05 | $96.11 | $76.11 | |
Regionals | $64.55 | $53.63 | $44.17 | $57.92 | N/A | $44.17 | $52.89 | |
Flankers | $60.00 | $49.46 | $60.00 | N/A | N/A | $60.00 | $57.37 | |
Diff F/I | −36.66% | −9.91% | −37.57% | N/A | N/A | −37.57% | -24.63% | |
Diff F/RG | −7.05% | −7.78% | 35.84% | N/A | N/A | 35.84% | 8.47% | |
Level 4 | ||||||||
Incumbents | $106.54 | $68.90 | $107.78 | $67.78 | $67.05 | $107.78 | $87.64 | |
Regionals | $79.55 | $59.63 | $54.17 | $77.92 | $53.65 | $54.17 | $63.18 | |
Flankers | $85.00 | $54.13 | $85.00 | $48.00 | $47.94 | $85.00 | $67.51 | |
Diff F/I | −20.22% | −21.45% | −21.13% | −29.18% | −28.50% | −21.13% | −22.97% | |
Diff F/RG | 6.85% | −9.23% | 56.91% | −38.40% | −10.64% | 56.91% | 6.85% | |
Level 5 | ||||||||
Incumbents | $235.43 | $158.79 | $235.00 | $136.67 | $137.61 | $235.00 | $189.75 | |
Regionals | $190.55 | $155.46 | $140.00 | $200.00 | $175.94 | $140.00 | $166.99 | |
Flankers | $235.43 | $167.79 | $235.00 | $149.00 | $149.94 | $235.00 | $195.36 | |
Diff F/I | 0.00% | 5.67% | 0.00% | 9.02% | 8.96% | 0.00% | 2.96% | |
Diff F/RG | 23.55% | 7.93% | 67.86% | −25.50% | −14.78% | 67.86% | 16.99% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Table 4 also includes the regionals' average prices for the same cities and provides percentage-based price differentials between the regionals' and incumbents' flanker brand prices. The regionals' prices are consistently lower than the incumbents' flanker brand prices nationally, but can be higher in specific regions and baskets. In particular, flanker prices tend to be lower than regional prices in Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
As has been the case over the last few years, the price differentials between regionals and incumbent flanker brand prices have generally widened. In other words, average prices offered by incumbent flanker brands rose and are now closer to those of the incumbents' primary brands. Price differentials between incumbents and their flanker brands have narrowed in Levels 3 to 5 while they have widened in the lower Levels.
Reseller or MVNO Prices
Mobile wireless service prices offered by two resellers or mobile virtual network operators (MNVO) – i.e., Primus and PC Mobile – were also collected. Table 5 provides a summary of the national-level price differentials between the incumbents' primary brands and MVNOs for each of the mobile service baskets. Note that no reseller services were available for Level 5 baskets.
– | NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | |||||||
Incumbents | $42.10 | $40.46 | $41.67 | $41.67 | $39.27 | $41.67 | $41.14 |
Resellers | $45.84 | $40.72 | $40.42 | $45.63 | $41.04 | $40.42 | $42.34 |
Difference | 8.89% | 0.65% | −3.00% | 9.50% | 4.51% | −3.00% | 2.93% |
Level 2 | |||||||
Incumbents | $85.43 | $50.79 | $87.50 | N/A | N/A | $87.50 | $77.81 |
Resellers | $49.14 | $54.82 | $54.36 | $48.71 | $55.30 | $54.36 | $52.78 |
Difference | −42.48% | 7.92% | −37.88% | N/A | N/A | −37.88% | -32.17% |
Level 3 | |||||||
Incumbents | $94.73 | $54.90 | $96.11 | $57.78 | $57.05 | $96.11 | $76.11 |
Resellers | $69.14 | $74.82 | $70.36 | $68.71 | $75.30 | $74.36 | $72.11 |
Difference | −27.01% | 36.27% | −26.80% | 18.92% | 31.98% | −22.64% | -5.26% |
Level 4 | |||||||
Incumbents | $106.54 | $68.90 | $107.78 | $67.78 | $67.05 | $107.78 | $87.64 |
Resellers | $79.14 | $87.32 | $86.86 | $78.71 | $87.80 | $86.86 | $84.45 |
Difference | −25.72% | 26.72% | −19.41% | 16.13% | 30.94% | −19.41% | -3.64% |
Level 5 | |||||||
Incumbents | $235.43 | $158.79 | $235.00 | $136.67 | $137.61 | $235.00 | $189.75 |
Resellers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Difference | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Unweighted averages
Resellers/MVNOs include Primus and PC Mobile. Wall Communications Inc. 2019
Reseller prices tend to be modestly lower for most Levels, with the exception of Level 2 where prices are more than 30% lower. Regional variation are significant, with reseller prices often higher than incumbent prices in Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Discussion of the Canadian Market: Observations Relevant to High and Low Cost Service Provision
Discussion of the Canadian Market: Observations Relevant to High and Low Cost Service Provision
Table 6 below provides the highest and lowest available prices (by region) by specific provider. We would note that Freedom Mobile in most cases offers the lowest price in regions where they offer service (i.e. BC and Ontario). It should be noted that often the prices from other vendors are only a few dollars more or less than the recorded highest or lowest price.
Level | - | BC | BC | SK | SK | MB | MB | ON | ON | QC | QC | NS | NS | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | - | low | high | low | high | low | high | low | high | low | high | low | high | average |
1) 450/300 Talk/Text | Price | 19.00 | 56.25 | 20.94 | 56.25 | 30.00 | 56.25 | 19.00 | 56.25 | 30.46 | 56.25 | 30.43 | 56.25 | 37.62 |
– | WSP | Freedom | Petro-Can | Sasktel | Petro-Can | Fido, Virgin | Petro-Can | Freedom | Petro-Can | Virgin, Fido, Koodo | Petro-Can | Fido, Eastlink | Petro-Can | – |
2) 1 GB | Price | 28.17 | 96.25 | 45.94 | 64.65 | NA | 48.71 | 28.17 | 96.25 | 40.46 | 60.46 | 49.14 | 91.68 | 64.80 |
– | WSP | Freedom | Rogers | Rogers | Primus | NA | PC Mobile | Freedom | Rogers | Virgin, Fido, Koodo | Primus | PC Mobile | Rogers | – |
3) 2 GB | Price | 44.17 | 101.25 | 54.27 | 80.94 | 56.25 | 68.71 | 44.17 | 101.25 | 49.46 | 80.46 | 60.00 | 96.68 | 74.42 |
– | WSP | Freedom | Rogers | Bell | Primus | Rogers | PC Mobile | Freedom | Rogers | Virgin, Koodo | Primus | Virgin, Fido, Koodo | Rogers | – |
4) 5 GB | Price | 54.17 | 116.25 | 45.94 | 95.94 | 48.00 | 78.71 | 54.17 | 116.25 | 49.46 | 95.46 | 79.14 | 111.68 | 87.57 |
– | WSP | Freedom | Rogers | Virgin | Primus | Virgin, Fido, Koodo | PC Mobile | Freedom | Rogers | Koodo | Primus | PC Mobile, Eastlink | Rogers | – |
5) 10-49 GB | Price | 140.00 | 235.00 | 130.94 | 175.94 | 130.00 | 200.00 | 140.00 | 235.00 | 154.46 | 174.46 | 190.55 | 235.43 | 205.78 |
– | WSP | Freedom | Virgin, Fido, Koodo, Bell, Rogers, Telus | Rogers | Sasktel | Rogers | MTS | Freedom | Virgin, Fido, Koodo, Bell, Rogers, Telus | Koodo | Virgin, Fido | Eastlink | Virgin, Fido, Koodo, Bell, Rogers, Telus | – |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
For Canada, the highest and lowest prices (offered by specific providers) are provided in Table 7 below. We would note that Freedom Mobile has the lowest (or equal to lowest) price offering in three of the five baskets.
Level | - | Canada | Canada | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|
- | - | low | high | average |
1) Talk and Text | Price | 19.00 | 56.25 | $37.62 |
– | WSP | Freedom (ON, BC) | Petro-Can | – |
2) 1 GB | Price | 28.17 | 96.25 | $64.80 |
– | WSP | Freedom (ON, BC) | Rogers (BC,ON) | – |
3) 2 GB | Price | 44.17 | 101.25 | $74.42 |
– | WSP | Freedom (ON, BC) | Rogers (BC, ON) | – |
4) 5 GB | Price | $45.94 | 116.25 | $87.57 |
– | WSP | Virgin (SK) | Rogers (BC, ON) | – |
5) 10-49 GB | Price | 130.00 | 235.43 | $205.78 |
– | WSP | Rogers (MB, SK) | Bell, Rogers, Telus, Fido, Virgin, Koodo (NS, ON, BC) | – |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
We would note that an individual vendor price that is considerably lower than the national average can be found in all baskets – as is also the case in each region.
3.3 International Mobile Wireless Service Prices
As noted in previous studies, there are a number of important pricing differences that should be borne in mind when comparing Canadian and foreign mobile wireless prices.Footnote 26
- Price Structure: The pricing of mobile wireless service plans in the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, Australia and Japan differs significantly compared to Canada (as well as the U.S.). Mobile wireless prices in Europe, Australia and Japan are set on a "calling party pays" basis, under which mobile customers pay only for outgoing calls. In contrast, Canadian and U.S. pricing plans are based on a "receiving party pays" approach, under which customers pay for incoming and outgoing calls. Unlike Canada and the U.S., some mobile wireless service plans in Europe, Australia and Japan also include per call setup charges and/or different per minute call rates to landline versus mobile customers, as well as potentially different per minute rates for on-net versus off-net mobile calls. However, as in Canada, unlimited national calling plans and service add-ons that cover calls to both fixed and mobile and both on and off-net mobile lines are now commonly available.
- Regulatory Fees: Regulatory fees of one form or another apply in the cases of Canada, Japan and the U.S. In Canada, there is typically an explicit emergency 9-1-1 fee and, in some cases, universal service fees (as in the case of Japan). In the U.S., there are a variety of regulatory fees, federal and state USF surcharges and other fees.Footnote 27 We have estimated these charges based on information collected in previous pricing studies and, where applicable, updated USF fees and carrier-specific regulatory cost recovery charges.
Figure 5 below provides a comparison of current mobile wireless prices for Canada and the surveyed foreign jurisdictions for each of the five wireless service baskets. All prices are expressed in PPP-adjusted Canadian dollars and exclude retail sales taxes. Table A3.2 and Figures A3.2 a, b and c in Attachment 3 provide more detailed historical international mobile wireless price information for the period 2014 to 2019, as applicable, for each country and basket.
- In the case of the Level 1 mobile wireless service basket, the Canadian average price of $37.62 is the second highest in the group of surveyed countries, surpassed only by the U.S. at $42.89.
- For the Level 2 service basket, the Canadian average price of $64.80 is the highest of all surveyed jurisdictions.
- For the Level 3 wireless service basket, the average Canadian monthly rate of $74.42 is well above the average for the group of surveyed foreign jurisdictions of roughly $36. Canada ranks second highest among the surveyed countries, surpassed by Japan at $78.42.
- In the case of the Level 4 basket, which includes unlimited nationwide talk and text along with 5 GB of monthly data usage, the Canadian average price of $87.57 is second highest relative to Japan at $95.63.
- The Level 5 (Family) Basket price in Canada is $205.78, again higher than all other countries. Prices in Europe and Australia are significantly less.
Figure 5: 2019 International Mobile Wireless Price Comparison ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted)
![Bar chart illustrating 2019 International Mobile Wireless Price Comparison ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted) (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating 2019 International Mobile Wireless Price Comparison ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted) (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-5-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
It is worth noting that surveyed average prices for European countries included in the study have consistently fallen below the prices in Canada for all defined mobile wireless service baskets – generally considerably lower than in Canada.
In sum, average Canadian mobile wireless prices are the highest in 2 of the 5 baskets and are the second highest in the other 3 baskets.
3.4 Canada-U.S. Roaming Prices
As a separate price comparison exercise, rate information on voice, text and data roaming services available to Canadian and American mobile wireless service consumers when traveling to the U.S. and Canada, respectively, has been collected as part of this study.
The wireless service providers surveyed for this study generally offer two types of international roaming services. The first is a "pay-as-you-go" roaming service option under which users pay per-use rates for any voice, text or data usage they incur while traveling abroad. The second is a travel or roaming add-on package option under which users can choose to pay a fixed fee for defined amounts of call minutes, texts, and/or data. Typically, roaming add-on packages remain in effect for a 30 day period of time (although some providers do offer shorter terms). With an add-on package, per unit usage rates are typically discounted significantly relative to base pay-as-you-go rates. When the usage allowance under an add-on plan is consumed, then either specific overage rates or base rates apply for any additional usage, or the service charge is capped (equal to a specified number of days).
Roaming from Canadian Providers
Canadian incumbent and, to a somewhat lesser degree, incumbent flanker brand wireless service providers offer a wide range of stand-alone U.S.-specific voice, text or data roaming add-on packages as well as bundled talk & text and talk, text & data roaming add-on packages. The Regionals now offer daily/periodic plans that directly compete with the incumbents, as well as Pay as You Go options.
The three Canadian national mobile wireless carriers generally have similar roaming plans, charging $7 (Rogers) or $8 (Bell and TELUS) per day for US/Canada roaming. The national providers allow unlimited Canada/US calling and texting. All three also allow the use of the monthly data allotment in your domestic plan. All three national providers cap the monthly roaming expenditure in their plans ($120, $105 and $160 respectively for TELUS, Rogers and Bell).
The Regionals also offer daily plans ranging from $5 to $8 per day. The Freedom roaming plans are based on terms of 2, 5, 10 or 20 days while Eastlink has no term. Videotron caps its monthly maximum roaming plan charge at $70, considerably lower than any of the national carrier plans. Neither Freedom nor Eastlink offer a monthly maximum.
The Flanker (Fido, Koodo and Virgin) plans are virtually the same as those provided by their associated primary brand national carrier plans, with the exception of Koodo’s maximum monthly charge of $100 (versus TELUS at $120).
Primus offers a variety of talk, text and data allowance plans, from $20 for 25 minutes of US/Canada calling and 100 texts to $80 for 100 minutes of US/Canada calling, unlimited texts and 200 MB of data.
Plan | Price (cap if available) | Term/Max | Data | Calling/Text | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rogers | Roam Like Home | $7 day | Cap at $105 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
Bell | Roam Better | $8 day | Cap at $160 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Unlimited |
TELUS | Easy Roam | $8 day | Cap at $120 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
Freedom | Big Gig Roam | $5/day | No maximum | Data available 2, 5, 10 and 20 day plans ($10 to $100) | Unlimited US/Canada talk and text |
Videotron | US Daily Traveller Pass | $7 day | Cap at $70 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Unlimited |
Eastlink | easyTravel | $8 day | No term; no max | Use data from your Canadian plan | Unlimited |
Koodo | Easy Roam | $8 day | Cap at $100 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
Fido | Fido Roam | $7 day | Cap at $105 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
Virgin | Roam Sweet Roam | $8 day | Cap at $160 per month | Use data from your Canadian plan | Unlimited |
Primus | Travel Pack | $40 | 30 days | 0 Mb ($1 per Mb) | 100 minutes/unlimited texts |
Petro Canada | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
The national mobile wireless providers, two Regionals and two Flankers also offer Pay as You Go roaming. Prices are once again very similar across the nationals, ranging from $1.45 to $1.50. Bell and Rogers charge $0.75 per text while TELUS charges $0.60 per text. Bell and TELUS charge $6.00 and $5.00 per MB of data respectively while Rogers has a package of 50 MB for $7.99.
Freedom and Videotron have much lower per minute rates than the nationals, at $0.50 and $0.30 respectively. Similarly text and data charges are also much lower at $0.20 per text or MB for Freedom and $0.15 per text or MB for Videotron.
The Flanker (Virgin and Fido) rates match those of their owners’ primary brand service.
Price per minute | Price per MB | Price per Text | |
---|---|---|---|
Rogers | $1.45 | $7.99 50 MB | $0.75 |
Bell | $1.45 | $6.00 per MB | $0.75 |
TELUS | $1.50 | $5.00 per MB | $0.60 |
Freedom | $0.50 | $0.20 MB | $0.20 |
Videotron | $0.30 | $0.15 MB | $0.15 |
Eastlink | NA | NA | NA |
Fido | $1.45 | $7.99 50 MB | $0.75 |
Virgin | $1.45 | $6.00 per MB | $0.75 |
Koodo | NA | NA | NA |
Wall Communications Inc. 2018 |
Roaming From US Providers
In the US, the national carriers all offer no charge roaming to Canada in their unlimited Smartphone plans. These unlimited data Smartphone plans are priced at US $60 (Sprint) to US $70 (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon). They provide a full Smartphone telephone, text and unlimited data service with US/Canada (as well as Mexico) roaming included in the regular monthly price.
For customers that are not on an unlimited plan from one of the four US national carriers, daily (or periodic) roaming plans are available from three of the carriers. Verizon offers an unlimited calling plan for $5.00 per month, AT&T offers a $10 a day planFootnote 28 and Sprint offers a $2.00 per day plan.
Two regional carriers offer roaming plans. US Cellular offers a $5.00 a month unlimited Talk plan as well as a $10.00 per month unlimited talk and text plan. C-Spire offers a $5.00 month unlimited talk and text plan that is limited to 10 telephone numbers.
Plan | Price (cap if available) | Term/Max | Data | Calling/Text | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon | Go Unlimited Smartphone plan ($70) | Included in Smartphone Plan ($0) | Monthly | No charge for roaming in Canada (500 MB per day allowance) | Unlimited |
Verizon | Travel Pass | $5 day | Daily | Use data from your domestic plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
Verizon | Unlimited Together | $5.00 per month | Monthly | Unlimited calling | |
Verizon | Mexico and Canada | $15.00 per month | Monthly | 100 MB | 100 min/ 100 Text |
AT&T | Unlimited and More Smartphone plan ($70) | Included in Smartphone Plan ($0) | Monthly | Use data from your domestic plan | Consistent with domestic plan |
AT&T | International Day Pass | $10 day | Daily | Use data from your domestic plan | Unlimited |
AT&T | AT&T Passport | $60 month | Monthly | 1 GB | $0.35 per minute and unlimited texts |
Sprint | Sprint Unlimited Basic ($60) | Included in Smartphone Plan ($0) | Monthly | 10 GB | Unlimited |
Sprint | Global Roaming | $2 day or $5 per week | Daily/Weekly | Basic data included | $0.20 minute and Unlimited Texts |
T-Mobile | T-Mobile ONE Smartphone Plan ($70) | Included in Smartphone Plan ($0) | Monthly | 2 GB | $0.25 minute and Unlimited Texts |
T-Mobile | Unlimited Talk and Text ($20) | Included in Plan ($0) | Monthly | No data (can’t be added) | Unlimited Talk and Text |
U. S. Cellular | Unlimited Calling Canada Plan | $5.00 month | Monthly | Unlimited Talk | |
U. S. Cellular | Unlimited Talk and Text to Mexico and Canada Plan | $10.00 month | Monthly | Unlimited Talk and Text | |
C-Spire | Unlimited Calling Global Family | $5.00 month (Calling is limited to 10 telephone numbers) |
Monthly | Unlimited Talk and Text | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Pay as You Go roaming (post paid) is only available form two US carriers: Verizon and AT&T. Both providers charge the same rate of $1 per minute, with data at $2.05 MB and texts at $0.50 each.
Price per minute | Price per MB | Price per Text | |
---|---|---|---|
Verizon | $0.99 | $2.05 MB | $0.50 |
AT&T | $1.00 | $2.05 MB | $0.50 |
Sprint | NA | NA | NA |
T-Mobile | NA | NA | NA |
U.S. Cellular | $0.44 | ||
C-Spire | $0.08 | ||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
A striking feature differentiating Canadian and US services is the “no charge” roaming provided by the national US providers in their unlimited Smartphone plans. These plans provide a full mobile phone service (voice, texts and unlimited data) plus (generally) unlimited roaming to Canada. There is no counterpart service in Canada.
The periodic roaming plans (including voice, texts and data) offered by Canadian national carriers, if used to their maximum allowances, have an average price of $115 CDN per month. In the US you can purchase a similar roaming service PLUS receive an unlimited voice, text and data service for the price of $60 to $70 US.
3.5 Spotlight on Newly Introduced “Unlimited” Canadian MNO Mobile Wireless Plans
3.5.1 Background
The bulk of the Canadian mobile wireless data collection for this Study occurred in May of 2019. After the data collection for mobile wireless plans had taken place, the Canadian national providers began to offer substantially modified plans. In particular, they introduced “unlimited data” plans for mobile wireless that did not require “overage” charges when a customer went past the plan data cap. In most cases the national MNOs also revised the pricing and service feature terms of their other plans – for the most part also dropping Level 2, 3 and 4 plans.Footnote 29
In essence, two significant market shifts occurred between May and September 2019: 1) large (and “unlimited” in particular) data plans at relatively low prices were introduced by the national MNOs; and 2) the offering of lower level service plans was largely left to flanker and regional providers.Footnote 30
While the new “unlimited” plans were described at the time of introduction as time-limited promotions, it became clear (by September) that the plans were more permanent in nature. Similarly, the decision by national MNOs to vacate the lower level product space was longer term in nature.
In light of the significant Canadian market shifts that occurred during 2019, this Spotlight section will examine four pricing/product developments:
- Relative price changes by each of the incumbents, the flankers and the regionals between May and September in each of the five service levels;
- The emergence of lower-cost data-only plans by flankers;
- The change in Level 5 plans when only considering single line plans (i.e. the primary analysis and data collection entailed Level 5 plans with three lines); and
- The emergence of plans with higher data allowances (e.g. up to 50 GB max speed then unlimited at slower speeds).
It should be noted that the examination of new national MNO mobile wireless prices in this Spotlight section may not maintain exact comparability with earlier Canadian price plans as certain features within a plan may have changed.
3.5.2 Relative Price Changes Between May and September 2019
As noted, the national MNO incumbent providers dramatically changed their service plans over the period. The Tables below display how incumbent pricing has changed in each region (for each service level) between May and September of 2019. All price changes are decreases unless marked with upwards arrow ().
3.5.2.1 Incumbent Price Changes
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $42.10 | $40.46 | $41.67 | $41.67 | $39.27 | $41.67 | $41.14 |
Sep-19 | $38.76 | $37.13 | $38.33 | $38.33 | $35.94 | $38.33 | $37.81 |
% Change | 7.9% | 8.2% | 8.0% | 8.0% | 8.5% | 8.0% | 8.1% |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $85.43 | $50.79 | $87.50 | N/A | N/A | $87.50 | $77.81 |
Sep-19 | N/A | $47.79 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $47.79 |
% Change | N/A | 5.9% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $94.73 | $54.90 | $96.11 | $57.78 | $57.05 | $96.11 | $76.11 |
Sep-19 | $53.76 | $53.79 | $53.33 | $53.33 | $53.33 | $53.33 | $53.48 |
% Change | 43.2% | 2.0% | 44.5% | 7.7% | 6.5% | 44.5% | 29.7% |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $106.54 | $68.90 | $107.78 | $67.78 | $67.05 | $107.78 | $87.64 |
Sep-19 | $73.76 | $61.29 | $73.33 | $58.33 | $59.27 | $73.33 | $66.55 |
% Change | 30.8% | 11.0% | 32.0% | 13.9% | 11.6% | 32.0% | 24.1% |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $235.43 | $158.79 | $235.00 | $136.67 | $137.61 | $235.00 | $189.75 |
Sep-19 | $195.43 | $158.79 | $190.00 | $195.00 | $195.94 | $195.00 | $188.36 |
% Change | 17.0% | 0% | 19.1% | ↑ 42.7% | ↑ 42.4% | 17.0% | 0.7% |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 (% price change not calculated when N/A is in a region)
Points Worth Noting - Incumbents
- Average “incumbent” price in each region (as well as nationally) is generally lower, in some cases because of lower pricing by all (or most) incumbents but in some cases because higher priced plans by some incumbents have been dropped (thereby leaving only existing “lower than average price” plans contributing to the “average” calculations);
- The exception is in Level 5, where less aggressive incumbent pricing in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (combined with generally lower and more uniform pricing across the country by incumbents) has led to very little change in the national average price;
- Rogers and TELUS have dropped their Level 2 and Level 3 basket plans, leaving Bell Mobility with the only incumbent Level 2 plan (in just one region) and the only incumbent with a Level 3 plan in all regions;
- Rogers has also dropped its Level 4 plans in all regions; and
- Note that the Level 1 plans do not include data (only talk and text) – all incumbents continue to offer a Level 1 plan – so that major price/service offering changes displayed in the above tables relate primarily to the data component.
3.5.2.2 Flanker Price Changes
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $33.76 | $30.46 | $33.33 | $30.00 | $30.94 | $33.33 | $31.97 |
Sep-19 | $35.43 | $30.46 | $35.00 | $31.67 | $32.61 | $35.00 | $33.36 |
% Change | 4.9% | 0% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 5.4% | 5.0% | 4.3% |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $55.14 | $40.46 | $55.00 | N/A | N/A | $55.00 | $51.40 |
Sep-19 | N/A | $40.46 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $40.46 |
% Change | N/A | 0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $60.00 | $49.46 | $60.00 | $N/A | N/A | $60.00 | $57.37 |
Sep-19 | $55.43 | $45.46 | $55.00 | $53.33 | $54.27 | $55.00 | $53.08 |
% Change | 7.6% | 8.1% | 8.3% | N/A | N/A | 8.3% | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $85.00 | $54.13 | $85.00 | $48.00 | $47.94 | $85.00 | $67.51 |
Sep-19 | $65.43 | $55.46 | $65.00 | $63.33 | $64.27 | $65.00 | $63.08 |
% Change | 23.0% | ↑ 2.5% | 23.5% | ↑ 31.9% | ↑ 34.1% | 23.5% | 6.6% |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $235.43 | $167.79 | $235.00 | $149.00 | $149.94 | $235.00 | $195.36 |
Sep-19 | $185.43 | $155.46 | $185.00 | $180.00 | $180.94 | $185.00 | $178.64 |
% Change | 21.2% | 7.3% | 21.3% | ↑ 20.8% | ↑ 20.7% | 21.3% | 8.6% |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 (Note: % price change not calculated when N/A is in a region)
Points Worth Noting – Flankers
- Flanker pricing has generally gone up in Manitoba and Saskatchewan but has generally been lowered in other regions; and
- Flanker May pricing was lowest in Quebec (except for Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Levels 4 and 5), but by September Quebec has the lowest Flanker pricing of all regions.
3.5.2.3 Regionals Price Changes
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $30.55 | $34.46 | $19.00 | $40.00 | $20.94 | $19.00 | $27.33 |
Sep-19 | $30.55 | $34.46 | $19.00 | N/A | $20.94 | $19.00 | $24.79 |
% Change | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A | 0% | 0% | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $59.55 | $42.63 | $28.17 | N/A | $53.65 | $28.17 | $42.43 |
Sep-19 | N/A | $42.63 | $28.17 | N/A | $53.65 | $28.17 | $38.16 |
% Change | N/A | 0% | 0% | N/A | 0% | 0% | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $64.55 | $53.63 | $44.17 | $57.92 | N/A | $44.17 | $52.89 |
Sep-19 | $59.55 | $53.63 | $44.17 | N/A | N/A | $44.17 | $50.38 |
% Change | 7.70% | 0% | 0% | N/A | N/A | 0% | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $79.55 | $59.63 | $54.17 | $77.92 | $53.65 | $54.17 | $63.18 |
Sep-19 | $64.55 | $59.63 | $49.17 | N/A | $53.65 | $49.17 | $55.23 |
% Change | 18.90% | 0% | 9.20% | N/A | 0% | 9.20% | N/A |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $190.55 | $155.46 | $140.00 | $200.00 | $175.94 | $140.00 | $166.99 |
Sep-19 | $130.55 | $138.46 | $140.00 | N/A | $175.94 | $140.00 | $144.99 |
% Change | 31.50% | 10.90% | 0% | N/A | 0% | 0% | N/A |
Points Worth Noting – Regionals
- There has been little change in price by regionals over the period with the exception of Nova Scotia (generally lower); and
- The lack of significant price changes by the Regionals is in contrast to the pronounced price changes by Incumbents and, to a lesser extent, by the Flankers.
3.5.2.4 National and Regional Overall Price Level Changes May to September 2019 (Incorporating Incumbents, Flankers, Regionals and Resellers)
As can be seen in the Table below, overall average prices for each basket have fallen nationally, dramatically so for some service baskets. Regional prices have stayed the same or fallen in each region in all baskets except for Level 5 (where prices are now higher in Manitoba and Saskatchewan). For Levels 2, 3 and 4 the overall average prices have been reduced most prominently in Ontario and BC.
The magnitude of price decreases varies across regions and baskets. However, caution should be used in interpreting these decreases since in some cases a decrease occurs primarily because some vendors (e.g. incumbents) have dropped “higher price plans” within a basket leaving only the same “lower price” plans” from other vendors in the calculation of the average price.Footnote 31
Average Regional and National Prices for All Baskets (May vs. Sept. 2019)
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before May-19 | $39.77 | $37.23 | $37.79 | $38.90 | $27.72 | $39.28 | $37.62 |
After Sept. 2019 | $37.12 | $35.09 | $36.12 | $36.51 | $26.67 | $37.54 | $35.77 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before May-19 | $69.63 | $44.87 | $74.67 | $48.71 | $53.66 | $75.70 | $64.80 |
After Sept. 2019 | $44.78 | $43.74 | $32.77 | $44.57 | $53.62 | $33.06 | $37.41 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before May-19 | $83.94 | $53.92 | $84.71 | $57.63 | $56.72 | $85.83 | $74.42 |
After Sept. 2019 | $54.77 | $50.73 | $53.43 | $53.49 | $53.77 | $54.05 | $52.86 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before May-19 | $98.62 | $64.28 | $100.21 | $65.35 | $56.66 | $101.13 | $87.57 |
After Sept. 2019 | $70.96 | $59.56 | $68.40 | $59.90 | $56.26 | $69.76 | $65.51 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before May-19 | $233.49 | $160.31 | $229.98 | $143.14 | $164.22 | $233.28 | $205.78 |
After Sept. 2019 | $190.04 | $154.93 | $186.35 | $192.45 | $181.98 | $191.36 | $178.95 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
3.5.3 The Emergence of Lower-cost Data-only Plans by Flankers
Subsequent to a CRTC proceeding to address the lack of low-cost data-only plans available to Canadian consumersFootnote 32, the national MNOs introduced several plans via their flanker brands. These plans were primarily introduced in March 2019. As they constitute a new type of service plan, such plans were previously not tracked in previous ISED Telecom Pricing studiesFootnote 33. However, they are described in this Spotlight section.
The following Tables describe the data-only plans currently available from the Flanker brands. Some plans include texting (e.g. FIDO unlimited on-net incoming and outgoing texts; Koodo and Chatr incoming texts). Some plans (e.g. Lucky) do not allow any texting (or calling).
Most plans allow calling on a pay-per-use basis although Chatr allows free incoming calls but charges for outgoing calls. Lucky does not allow the customer to make or receive any calls on its data-only plans. Talk is available on most plans on a per-use basis (e.g. Virgin at $0.60 per minute; FIDO at $0.50 per minute).
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$15 | 250 MB | Unlimited Canada | PPU at $0.50 per min. in Canada | $10/100 MB | FIDO network only |
$25 | 500 MB | Unlimited Canada | PPU at $0.50 per min. in Canada | $10/100 MB | FIDO network only |
$30 | 1 GB | Unlimited Canada | PPU at $0.50 per min. in Canada | $10/100 MB | FIDO network only |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$28 | 1 GB | $0.30 per text (in and out) | PPU $0.60 per min. | $10/100 MB | BYOD |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$30 | 1 GB | Free incoming; $0.60 per text (outgoing) | PPU $0.60 per min. | $10/100 MB | BYOD; post-paid |
$15 | 250 MB | Unlimited international Texting | “Booster” service at various – e.g. $10 for 100 min Canada wide | “Booster” service at various – e.g. $10 for 100 MB Canada wide | Pre-paid |
$25 | 500 MB | Unlimited international Texting | “Booster” service at various – e.g. $10 for 100 min Canada wide | “Booster” service at various – e.g. $10 for 100 MB Canada wide | Pre-paid |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$30 | 1 GB | No PPU listed | No PPU listed; $5 for 500 Canada minutes | $10/200 MB Add-on | BYOD; 4G LTE; pre-paid |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$25 | 500 MB | Free incoming Canada and Int.; $0.40 outgoing | $0.40 per outgoing Canada call | $10/100 MB; possible to get Data Plus at $5 for 500 MB | BYOD; Bonus of 500 MB no longer listed; 3G; pre-paid |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price | Data | Text | Talk | Data Overage | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$15 | 500 MB | Not available | Not available | Unlimited at 128 Kbps; no Data Add-ons available | BYOD; 3G; 250 MB bonus with Auto Top Up |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Points Worth Noting – Data Only Plans
- Data only plans are typically offered by the flanker brands of the national MNOs (rather than by the national MNO);
- Pricing is very similar across all flankers with data allotments of 250 MB, 500 MB and 1 GB; and
- The pricing for the data only plans is similar to the lower end (Level 1) service plans available in the market.
3.5.4 Single Line Level 5 Plans by Incumbents
The Level 5 plansFootnote 34 tracked in the main Telecom Pricing Study are based on the cost for 3 lines. However, escalating data requirements from single users and the introduction of larger (including unlimited) data plans has introduced a new element into the market. Consequently, in this section of the Spotlight, we examine the prices for Level 5 plans from incumbents (i.e. national MNOs) when only a single user takes the plan.Footnote 35
The data collection format allows us to compare Level 5 plans by removing the charges for second and third lines. We compare Level 5 regional and national prices for a single line user below. We note that most previous (i.e. May 2019) Level 5 national MNO plans were generally offered with a 10 GB cap (although bonus GBs might be included under certain conditions).
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May-19 | $132.10 | $88.79 | $131.67 | $73.33 | $74.27 | $131.67 | $105.31 |
Sep-2019 | $75.00 | $65.00 | $73.33 | $75.00 | $75.00 | $75.00 | $73.06 |
% Change | 43.2% | 26.8% | 44.3% | 2.3% | 1.0% | 43.0 % | 30.6% |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 Note: unweighted averages. |
We note that prices for a single line user Level 5 plan have decreased substantially in each region (and nationally) except for Manitoba and Saskatchewan where there have been modest price increases. In addition to the price decreases there has also been an important "quantity" change between May 2019 and September 2019: the national MNOs have stopped charging for data overages. Instead, usage when the cap is exceeded will be subject to slower speeds – but no extra charge.
The September 2019 Level 5 plans have generally continued with similar "listed" data allotments (i.e. between 10 GB and 15 GB as noted on national MNO websites). However, several new plans have also been introduced such that the Level 5 plans with 10 GB are the lowest "unlimited" data allotment plans now offered. These plans are described in the next section.
Points Worth Noting – Single Line Level 5 Plans by Incumbents
- Since May 2019 the incumbents have lowered their prices in most regions to roughly the same price level as they were charging in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan;
- Consequently the average national price has fallen considerably (30.6%);
- Incumbent prices are now standardized across the country (whereas they were notably lower in Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan); and
- Not only are prices lower on average but the plans come with no overage charges for data used beyond the cap.
3.5.5 Higher Data Allotment Plans Introduced
Until the introduction of “unlimited” plans in Spring 2019 by the national MNOs, the largest offerings were 10 GB, with one exception: Rogers and TELUS each offered 80 GB plans in Nova Scotia, Ontario and BC. Newer plans now offer up to 50 GB but with unlimited data use (at lower speeds) above the cap in all regions.
- | Data | Price (per month) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Rogers | 10 GB | $75 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
– | 20 GB | $95 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
– | 50 GB | $125 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
Bell | 10 GB | $75 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
– | 20 GB | $90 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
– | 50 GB | $115 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
TELUS | 10 GB | $75 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
– | 20 GB | $90 | Speed up to 512 Kbps after cap; BYOD; Unlimited Canada calling and text |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 Note: unweighted averages. |
Prices from incumbents on larger (e.g. 50 GB or greater) plans May vs. Sept. 2019 are displayed below.Footnote 36
- | May 2019 Price | September 2019 Price | |
---|---|---|---|
50 GB (only in Saskatchewan from SaskTel) | $170.94 | $170.94 | |
50 GB from incumbents (Rogers and Bell) | Not Offered | $120 | |
80 GB (in NS, Ont. and BC) from Rogers and TELUS | $412.50 | Not Offered | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 Note: unweighted averages. |
Points Worth Noting – Introduction of 50 GB and Other Unlimited Plans
- The newly introduced higher allotment data plans are provided at maximum available speed up to the data allotment but slow to 512 Kbps after the cap is reached;
- Most plans also include unlimited Canada-wide calling and text;
- Pricing by the incumbents is generally very similar; and
- 50 GB plans were not available from the national MNOs in May 2019 but an 80 GB plan was selectively available from Rogers and TELUS at more than $400 per month; 50 GB unlimited plans from Rogers and Bell are now available for $125 and $115 respectively – a massive price drop.
4.0 Broadband Internet Service
4.1 Broadband Internet Service Baskets
The six broadband service baskets included in the study are defined in terms of broadband service speed and monthly data usage:
- Level 1: Speed: "basic" Internet service with advertisedFootnote 37 download speed of up to 3 to 9 Mbps.
Data usage per month: 10 GB. - Level 2: Speed: Internet service with advertised download speed of 10 to 15 Mbps (targeted speed in the upper end of the range).
Data usage per month: 50 GB. - Level 3: Speed: high-speed Internet service with advertised download speed of 16 to 40 Mbps (targeted speed in the middle of the range).
Data usage per month: 100 GB. - Level 4: Speed: high-speed Internet service with advertised download speed of 41 to 100 Mbps (targeted speed in the middle of the range).
Data usage per month: 150 GB. - Level 5: Speed: high-speed Internet service with advertised download speed of 101 to 250 Mbps (targeted speed in the middle of the range).
Data usage per month: 500 GB - Level 6: Speed: high-speed Internet service with advertised download speed of 251 to 500 Mbps (targeted speed in the upper end of the range).
Data usage per month: 500 GB or Unlimited
It should be noted that broadband speeds have increased dramatically over the past decade and the baskets used in the Telecom Pricing Reports have accordingly been adjusted.
Basket | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 - 2015 | 2016-2017 | 2018-2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | < 1.5 Mbps | < 1.5 Mbps | < 3 Mbps | 3 - 9 Mbps | 3 - 9 Mbps |
Level 2 | 2 – 9 Mbps | 2 – 9 Mbps | 4 – 15 Mbps | 10 – 15 Mbps | 10 – 15 Mbps |
Level 3 | 10 – 19 Mbps | 10 – 19 Mbps | 16 – 40 Mbps | 16 – 40 Mbps | 16 – 40 Mbps |
Level 4 | − | > 20 Mbps | > 40 Mbps | 41–100 Mbps | 41–100 Mbps |
Level 5 | − | − | − | > 100 Mbps | 101–250 Mbps |
Level 6 | 251–500 Mbps | ||||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Modem rental fees are taken into account since they are mandatory in some instances. In other cases, where the modem is not included but must be purchased by the customer, the cost of the required equipment is amortized over 24 months. One-time installation or activation fees are generally not included.
Some Internet service providers (ISPs) apply monthly data usage caps to their broadband service plans. Where they are applied, they are typically set on the basis of a monthly data allowance (GB/month), with overage fees applied when the data allowance is exceeded. Overage or additional data fees are included in the study if assumed usage levels exceed any applicable data caps. In virtually all cases, the applicable data caps were high enough that no overage fees are likely incurred given the data usage assumptions adopted for the defined broadband service baskets.
- | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | B6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Halifax | |||||||
Bell | – | – | – | 100/100 | – | 1,000/940 | |
Eastlink | – | – | – | 100/10 | 150/10 (1TB) | 300/10 (1TB) | |
TekSavvy | 7/.6 | – | – | – | – | – | |
Montreal | |||||||
Bell | – | 15/10 (50G) | 25/10 (300G) |
50/10 | – | 500/500 | |
Videotron | – | 15/10 (50G) | 30/10 (250G) |
100/30 | – | 400/50 | |
Primus | 7/1 | 15/1 | 25/10 | 50/10 | – | – | |
TekSavvy | 5/1 (200G) | 15/10 (200G) | 30/10 (200G) |
100/30 | – | 400/50 | |
Distributel | – | 15/10 | 25/10 | 75/10 | 250/20 | – | |
Virgin | 5/1 (50G) | 15/10 (200G) | 25/10 (200G) | 50/10 | – | – | |
Toronto | |||||||
Bell | – | 10/1 (100G) | – | 50/10 | 150/150 | 500/500 | |
Rogers | – | 10/na (100G) | – | 75/na | 150/15 | 300/20 | |
Primus | 7/1 | – | 25/10 | 75/10 | 150/20 | – | |
TekSavvy | 5/1 (200G) | 15/10 (200G) | 30/5 (200G) | 75/10 (200G) | 250/20 (200G) | – | |
Distributel | 6/1 | 15/10 | 25/10 | 75/10 | 250/20 | – | |
Virgin | 5/1 (50G) | 15/10 (200G) | 25/10 (200G) | 50/10 | – | – | |
Fido | 5/na (50G) | – | 30/na | 75/na (200G) | – | – | |
Winnipeg | |||||||
Bell MTS | – | 10/3 | 25/3 | 50/5 | – | 300/300 | |
Shaw | – | 15/1.5 (150G) | – | 100/7.5 (500G) | – | 300/na | |
TekSavvy | 5/.5 (400G) | – | 25/2.5 (400G) | 75/7.5 (400G) | 150/15 | – | |
Regina | |||||||
SaskTel | – | 10/2 | 40/10 | 80/15 | 175/25 | 300/40 | |
Access | – | 10/2 | 25/3 | 100/7 | – | – | |
Vancouver | |||||||
TELUS | – | 15/1 (200G) | 25/5 (300G) | 75/15 (550G) | 150/30 (1,000G) | – | |
Shaw | – | 15/1.5 (150G) | – | 100/7.5 (500G) | – | 300/na | |
Primus | 5/.5 | – | 25/2.5 | 75/7.5 | 150/15 | – | |
TekSavvy | 5/.5 (400G) | – | 25/2.5 (400G) | 75/7.5 (400G) | 150/15 | 300/20 | |
Can. Av. | 5.6/.8 | 13.6/5.5 | 26.9/7.3 | 75.2/14.5 | 177.1/29.6 | 408/243 | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
4.2 Canadian Broadband Service Prices
Figure 6 below provides a summary of Canadian weighted average broadband Internet access service prices for the Levels 1 to 6 service baskets for the period 2016 to 2019. More detailed historical broadband price information by city is provided in Table A2.2 in Attachment 2. Table 13 displays average regional broadband prices.
- The Level 1 national average broadband price fell from $40.67 in 2018 to $35.98 in 2019, a decrease of almost 12%. Average 2019 Level 1 prices varied from $28.61 in Winnipeg to $57.95 in Halifax. Level 1 prices generally increased from 2008 to 2014 but have been falling gradually since then. As noted, our criteria for Level 1 has evolved over time such that the “quality” of the basket has also been improving as speeds have been increased.
- The 2019 Level 2 basket price fell from $57.36 to $53.20. Average 2019 Level 2 prices varied from a low of $49.95 in Regina to $68.58 in Winnipeg. This is the second year in a row where Level 2 prices have fallen.
- The 2019 Level 3 national average price fell sharply to $55.20 from $70.70 in 2018 – a drop of almost 22%. Winnipeg had the highest price at $77.90 while the lowest price was found in Vancouver at $40.39.
- The Level 4 national price of $87.00 in 2018 fell to $72.01 (an 17% decrease). Average 2019 Level 4 prices varied from $62.34 in Vancouver to $96.65 in Regina.
- The Level 5 national average price also fell from 2018 to 2019, going from $102.76 to $83.25 (about 20% lower). Regina had the highest price ($104.95) while the lowest price was found in Vancouver ($59.31).
- Level 6 prices (introduced in 2018), fell by about 25% from $123.87 in 2018 to $93.03 in 2019. Prices varied from $144.95 (Regina) to $78.30 (Montreal).
- Every broadband Canadian basket had lower average prices in 2019 relative to 2018.
Figure 6: Average Canadian Broadband Rates 2016–2019
![Bar chart illustrating the Average Canadian Broadband Rates 2016–2019 (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating the Average Canadian Broadband Rates 2016–2019 (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-6-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
Vancouver had the lowest average prices in 3 of the 6 baskets while Regina had the highest prices in three baskets.
.
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | $57.95 | $37.64 | $35.09 | $28.61 | n/a | $33.51 | $35.98 |
Level 2 | n/a | $55.38 | $50.95 | $68.58 | $49.95 | $52.61 | $53.20 |
Level 3 | n/a | $65.24 | $51.54 | $77.90 | $66.19 | $40.39 | $55.20 |
Level 4 | $86.27 | $73.63 | $70.42 | $83.71 | $96.65 | $62.34 | $72.01 |
Level 5 | $103.95 | $87.00 | $87.11 | $74.53 | $104.95 | $59.31 | $83.25 |
Level 6 | $112.13 | $78.30 | $96.74 | $98.19 | $144.95 | $89.94 | $93.03 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Price variations in the case of broadband services can be affected by differences in service speeds offered by ISPs. Although we target a specific speed for those baskets with ranges in order to achieve better comparability, the actual speeds for surveyed services can vary – sometimes significantly. In such cases, price comparisons need to be interpreted with caution.
Canadian broadband service plans also span a range of data caps.Footnote 38 For Level 1, the lowest posted data cap was 50 GB (with a high of 400 GB). For Level 2, data caps ranged from 50 GB to unlimited GB. For Level 3 caps varied from 200 GB to unlimited. For Level 4, the lowest data cap was 400 GB but higher caps and unlimited are typical. Level 5 and Level 6 data caps are generally, as expected, much higher (with most unlimited). Over time, data cap upper limits have been increasing steadily.
We would note that speeds of 100 Mbps or higher are common across the country – in contrast to even three years ago. We would also note that 1 Gbps service is now offered in several regions.
Reseller ISP Prices
Broadband service prices offered by two resellers ISPs (Primus and Teksavvy) were once again surveyed this year (along with Distributel where warranted). These ISPs rely on wholesale broadband access services (acquired from the incumbent telephone and cable companies) to provide retail broadband services.
Table 14 provides a summary of the national-level differentials between the incumbents' and reseller ISPs' prices for each of the broadband service baskets. As shown in the table, reseller ISP broadband service prices are consistently lower than those of the incumbents across all service baskets. Only resellers offer a Level 1 service and this year for the first time resellers are offering a Level 6 service in some regions.
Baskets | Incumbents | Resellers | Differential |
---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | n/a | $38.84 | n/a |
Level 2 | $55.42 | $40.21 | −27.45% |
Level 3 | $64.00 | $47.52 | −25.74% |
Level 4 | $78.95 | $63.02 | −20.17% |
Level 5 | $87.69 | $83.88 | −4.34% |
Level 6 | $103.49 | $84.32 | −18.52% |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Unweighted averages. Resellers include Primus, TekSavvy and Distributel. Data caps and speeds may not match exactly between resellers and incumbents.
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
SPOTLIGHT SECTION on Broadband Flankers
While flanker brands have been a fixture in the mobile wireless market for more than a decade, they are new to the broadband market. Currently flankers operate in two provinces, Quebec and Ontario.
In Quebec, Bell Virgin offers a broadband service. Virgin prices are similar to those of the resellers (Primus, Teksavvy and Distributel) but generally lower than those of Bell or Videotron. Neither Virgin nor Fido offer a service with a speed greater than 100 Mbps.
In Ontario, Virgin pricing is the same as their Quebec pricing and again similar to the resellers. Rogers' Fido prices are similar to those of Virgin. Fido and Rogers tend to not offer the same baskets (e.g. Fido offers Level 1 and Level 3 baskets but Rogers does not; Rogers offers a Level 2 basket, but Fido does not). Fido pricing is lower than Rogers pricing for Level 4 (although the Fido plan is capped at 200 GB while the Rogers plan has no cap). Virgin and Bell both offer Level 2 and Level 4 baskets with the Virgin pricing being lower.
4.3 International Fixed Broadband Service Prices
As with the other service categories, there are a number of notable differences in the way in which broadband services are provisioned in some of the surveyed countries compared to Canada:
- In some of the surveyed European countries, to obtain a DSL broadband Internet service on a stand-alone basis, the customer must in some cases also lease a landline connection (which adds an additional access line charge).
- Fibre and/or DSL-based broadband services offered in the U.K., France, Germany and Italy generally include VoIP and/or IPTV services for a single bundled price. The option of a pure stand-alone broadband Internet service is not available in some cases.
- In Japan, broadband Internet service typically consists of two separate service elements: (i) a network access facility (fibre or ADSL), often obtained from NTT and (ii) an Internet access service provided by a third-party ISP. Therefore, there are two fees involved: the broadband access fee and ISP fee.
Table 15 below provides a summary of the unweighted average "advertised" download and upload service speeds of the surveyed broadband services included in each of the six specified broadband service baskets for Canada and the surveyed foreign jurisdictions.Footnote 39 Data caps are typically no longer listed in most countries (with the exception of Canada and Australia) – either because the vendor has chosen not to state the cap or (more likely) because the plans do not have data caps.
L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 | L5 | L6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Can. Av. | 5.6/.8 | 13.6/5.5 | 26.9/7.3 | 75.2/14.5 | 177.1/29.6 | 408/243 |
US Av. | 2.2/1 | 12/1 | 32/3 | 76/9 | 232/NA | 380/NA |
UK Av. | 9/1 | 10.5/na | 36/na | 65/na | 127/NA | NA |
AU Av | NA | NA | 22.5/na | 75/NA | NA | NA |
FR Av | NA | NA | NA | NA | 200/100 | 350/350 |
JA Av | NA | 12/2 | NA | 75/na | 160/na | 660/na |
GM Av | NA | NA | 16/1.7 | 100/28 | 225/60 | 400/NA |
IT Av | NA | NA | 20/1 | 100/20 | 200/20 | 1000/na |
International average (exc. Canada) | 5.6/1 | 11.5/1.5 | 25.3/1.9 | 81.8/19 | 190/60 | 558/NA |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Figure 7 below provides a comparison of current weighted average broadband service prices for Canada and the seven surveyed foreign jurisdictions for each of the four broadband service level baskets. Table A3.2 in Attachment 3 provides more detailed historical broadband Internet service price results for the period 2008 to 2019, as applicable, for each of the six broadband service baskets.
- Level 1 broadband services were only available from surveyed ISPs in three of the eight countries included in the study – i.e., Canada, the U.S., and the UK. Canada's average monthly price of $35.98 is considerably lower than the measured average prices for the U.S. ($62.50) and similar to the UK ($37.52).
- In the case of the Level 2 basket, again only three countries provide this level of service (Canada, the US and the UK). Canada's average monthly price of $53.20 falls in the middle of the group of countries offering Level 2 Broadband service.
- For the Level 3 basket, Canada's average monthly price of $55.20 falls in the middle of the average price for the six surveyed countries offering this service level.
- For the Level 4 basket, Canada's average monthly price of $72.01 is lower than the US and Australia but higher than the UK, Italy, Germany and Japan. The lowest average price is found in Italy at $42.27.
- The average Canadian price for Level 5 broadband is $83.25, higher than all other countries except for the US (with a price of $93.01).Footnote 40 The lowest prices of about $34 can be found in France.
- The Canadian Level 6 broadband price of $93.03 is highest among the surveyed countries, save for the US price of $120.62.Footnote 41 The lowest prices of about $42 are found in France and ItalyFootnote 42.
Figure 7: 2019 Canada vs. Foreign Broadband Rates
Canadian vs Selected Foreign Internet Service Rates ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted)
![Bar chart illustrating Canadian vs Selected Foreign Internet Service Rates ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted) (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating Canadian vs Selected Foreign Internet Service Rates ($CDN - Purchasing Power Parity Adjusted) (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-7-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
Canada's broadband service price ranking has remained relatively consistent since the study was first conducted in 2008. The measured prices for the European countries included in the study (U.K., France, Italy and Germany) have consistently been lower than those in Canada – in some cases, by a wide margin.
Relative to last year, all countries (including Canada) have lower prices in most baskets.
In sum, Canadian broadband Internet service prices compare reasonably favourably with the other surveyed countries in the case of the Levels 1 and 2 – although most countries no longer provide these lower level service baskets. However, Canadian Level 3 and higher basket prices tend to be higher than the prices measured in the surveyed countries, with the exception of the U.S. and Australia.
5.0 Mobile Internet Service
5.1 Mobile Internet Service Baskets
There are three mobile Internet service levels included in the study, categorized by the data allowance of the service. They consist of the following usage-based service elements and characteristics:
- Technology 3rd or 4th generation (e.g., 3G, 3G+, 4G or 4G LTE)
- Service speed: Advertised download speedFootnote 43
- Equipment USB modem key (included with service on a no-charge, rental or purchase basis)
- Data usage: Level 1: 2 to 5 GB per month
Level 2: 5 to 10 GB per month
Level 3: Greater than 10 GB per month
One-time charges (such as activation fees) are generally excluded.
5.2 Canadian Mobile Internet Service Prices
Figure 8 below provides a summary of Canadian Level 1 through 3 mobile Internet service basket prices for the periods 2016 to 2019. More detailed price information by city is provided in Table A2.5 of Attachment 2.
- Level 1 mobile Internet service price increased from $38.28 in 2018 to $40.60 in 2019. Level 1 prices remained fairly consistent across the country, ranging from a low of $40.01 in BC to $42.99 in Nova Scotia. Most Level 1 service plans included 2 or 3 GB of data allowance per month, with Freedom offering 4 GB. Download speeds were consistent across the country form all providers at 150 Mbps. Prices have generally trended downwards for the Level 1 basket since 2010.
- The Level 2 price increased from $61.90 in 2018 to $64.04 this year. Level 2 prices had very little variation from province to province with the exception of Saskatchewan, who offered a plan at $47.75 (in contrast to all other plans in the low to mid $60s). The Level 2 plans mostly included data allowances of 5 or 6 GB per month and were typically offered with a speed of 150 Mbps.
- The Level 3 national price of remained steady this year at $82.99 versus $83.35 in 2018. Once again, Saskatchewan was significantly lower than other provinces with a price of $60.40 (versus prices in other regions in the $80 to $85 range).
Figure 8: Average Canadian Mobile Internet Prices by Service Basket (2014–2019)
![Bar chart illustrating Average Canadian Mobile Internet Prices by Service Basket (2014–2019) (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating Average Canadian Mobile Internet Prices by Service Basket (2014–2019) (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-8-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
The advertised download speed of the mobile Internet services included in this year's study is typically 150 Mbps.
A comparison of the mobile Internet service rates offered by the incumbents (Rogers, Bell and TELUS) and Regionals (SaskTel, MTS, Freedom, Videotron and Eastlink), as applicable, in the cities of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Regina and Halifax is provided in Table 17. The Incumbents offer the same price in each province/city and therefore the average price is consistent across the country.
For the Level 1 mobile Internet service basket, the Regionals’ prices are roughly 31% lower than the incumbents on average. For the Level 2 and Level 3 service baskets, the differential is 19%. No comparison with resellers was conducted due to the very few number of reseller offerings (i.e. only a few instances in Level 1).
- | NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | |||||||
Incumbents | $41.53 | $41.53 | $41.53 | $41.53 | $41.53 | $41.53 | $41.53 |
Regionals | n/a | $39.16 | $15.00 | $45.00 | N/A | $15.00 | $28.54 |
Differential | n/a | −5.69% | −63.88% | 8.36% | n/a | −63.88% | −31.27% |
Level 2 | |||||||
Incumbents | $64.86 | $64.86 | $64.86 | $64.86 | $64.86 | $64.86 | $64.86 |
Regionals | n/a | $59.16 | n/a | $60.00 | $39.17 | n/a | $52.78 |
Differential | n/a | −8.78% | n/a | −7.49% | −39.62% | n/a | −18.63% |
Level 3 | |||||||
Incumbents | $83.19 | $83.19 | $83.19 | $83.19 | $83.19 | $83.19 | $83.19 |
Regionals | n/a | $79.16 | n/a | $75.00 | $49.17 | n/a | $67.78 |
Differential | n/a | −4.84% | n/a | −9.85% | −40.90% | n/a | −18.53% |
Unweighted averages Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Mobile Internet prices have remained relatively steady for the last several years. Regionals continue to offer lower prices than the incumbents. Depending on the region the price difference between regional providers and incumbents can be significant (e.g. Ontario and BC).
5.3 International Mobile Internet Service Prices
Table 18 provides a summary of the average Level 1 to Level 3 advertised download speeds and data caps for Canada and each of the seven surveyed foreign jurisdictions. Upload speeds are often not advertised by wireless service providers and, therefore, are not included in the table.
B1 | B2 | B3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Canada Average | 150 mbps (2.3 G) | 150 mbps (5.3 G) | 150 mbps (10 G) |
US Av. | 150 mbps (2.5 G) | 150 mbps (7 G) | 150mbps (30 G) |
UK Av. | 15 mbps (2.5 G) | 20 mbps (8 G) | 20 mbps (8 G) |
AUS Av | NA | 150 mbps (10 G) | 150 mbps (18 G) |
FR Av | NA | 100 mbps (10 G) | 125 mbps (20 G) |
JP Av | 220 mbps (2.5 G) | 185 mbps (5.5 G) | 220 mbps (25 G) |
GR Av | 291 mbps (2.6G) | 261 mbps (9 G) | 500 mbps (16 G) |
IT Av | NA | 70 mbps (10 G) | 98 mbps (22 G) |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada is similar to the US and Australia in average download speed in each basket but tends to have lower data allowances. Canada generally compares favorably against most other countries (with the exception of Germany and Japan).
Figure 9 below provides a comparison of Level 1 to Level 3 mobile Internet service basket prices for Canada and the surveyed foreign jurisdictions. Table A3.4 and Figures A3.4 (a and b) in Attachment 3 provide detailed historical mobile Internet price results.
- In the case of the Level 1 mobile Internet service basket, the average Canadian price of $40.60 is comparable to the US average price and considerably below the Japanese price of $66.43. Prices in the UK and Germany are considerably lower than Canada. We also note that Australia, France and Italy do not offer these lower data allotment mobile Internet services.
- For the Level 2 service basket, the average Canadian mobile Internet price of $64.04 is slightly higher than the US price of $62.05 and lower than the Japanese price of $69.41. Prices in the European countries are generally much lower, ranging from roughly $10 to $33.
- In Level 3, the narrative is similar, with Canada being on the high price end ($82.99) – but with both the US and Japan higher than Canada while the European countries (and Australia) are much lower.
Figure 9: 2019 International Mobile Internet Price Comparison (PPP-adjusted CDN$)
![2019 International Mobile Internet Price Comparison (PPP-adjusted CDN$) (the long description is located below the image) Bar chart illustrating 2019 International Mobile Internet Price Comparison (PPP-adjusted CDN$) (the long description is located below the image)](/site/strategic-policy-sector/sites/default/files/img/2022/figure-9-en.jpg)
Wall Communications Inc. 2019
Relative to previous years' studies, Canada's mobile Internet service basket rankings have largely remained stable. Canada has ranked on the high side of the group, generally close to or slightly below the U.S. and Japan. On the other hand, Australia and the European countries included in the study have consistently had lower prices for all baskets compared to Canada – by a substantial margin in many cases.
As a point of interest, the major US mobile wireless providers have begun offering widely available “hotspot” service across their wireless networks. The “hotspot” services essentially are a substitute for a mobile wireless Internet service for laptops and related devices. These added services are typically free when a customer purchases an “unlimited data” plan from the operator. Separate mobile data services are also available for lower level plans for a cost.
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L1 (2–5 GB) | $40.60 | $39.72 | n/a | $15.88 | n/a | n/a | $20.45 | $66.43 |
L2 (5-10 GB) | $64.04 | $62.05 | $15.03 | $22.18 | $20.73 | $10.56 | $32.81 | $69.41 |
L3 (10+ GB) | $82.99 | $85.97 | $23.66 | $27.85 | $30.05 | $15.06 | $40.50 | $98.68 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
In sum, Canada's average mobile Internet service prices fall on the high side (along with the US and Japan) of the group of surveyed countries.
Attachment 1 - Service Baskets
Minutes of Use/Month | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Outgoing (60%) | 270 | 720 | Unlimited Nationwide (to fixed and mobile) | Unlimited Nationwide (to fixed and mobile) | Shared Family Plan (3 phones) 10 to 49 GB | ||
Incoming (40%) | 180 | 480 | |||||
Total | 450 | 1,200 | |||||
Time of Day/Week | |||||||
Peak (40%) | 180 | 480 | NA | NA | NA | ||
Off-Peak (60%) | 270 | 720 | |||||
Outgoing LD | 10% of total | 15% of total | NA (zero International calling) |
NA (zero International calling) |
NA (zero International calling) |
||
National | 21 | 90 | |||||
US | 6 | 18 | |||||
Other | |||||||
Total | 27 | 108 | |||||
Outgoing to Mobile | 50% of total | 50% of total | NA | NA | NA | ||
On-net (2/3) | 90 | 240 | |||||
Outgoing to Mobile | 45 | 120 | |||||
Total | 135 | 360 | |||||
Average Call Length | 3 min. | 3 min. | NA | NA | NA | ||
Features | |||||||
Voice Mail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Caller ID | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Other | Yes | Yes | |||||
SMS | 300 | 300 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | ||
Data | 1 GB target | 2 GB target | 5 to 9 GB | 10 to 49 GB | |||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Elements | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transmission Speed | Basic Services 3 to 9 Mbps |
10 – 15 Mbps (highest available) |
16 – 40 Mbps (highest available) | 41 to 100 Mbps (highest available in target range of 41 to 100 Mbps) | 101 to 250 Mbps | 251 to 500 Mbps |
Monthly Usage | 10 GB | 50 GB | 100 GB | 150 GB | 500 GB | 500 GB to Unlimited |
Modem rental cost or 24 month amortization | ||||||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Elements | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly Usage | 2 to 5 GB | 5 to 10 GB | > 10 GB | |
Transmission Speed | (3G technology or higher) | (3G technology or higher) | ||
USB Modem | No cost with contract or rental / 24 month amortization | |||
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Attachment 2 – Canadian Price Comparisons
Table A2.1 - Canadian Mobile Wireless Prices
Based on Incumbent Primary Brand, Flanker, Regional and Reseller Prices
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $53.14 | $62.62 | $63.37 | $51.91 | $61.20 | $58.34 | $60.81 | |
2009 | $48.73 | $59.17 | $59.20 | $50.49 | $44.44 | $59.30 | $57.78 | −5.00% |
2010 | $48.05 | $54.34 | $53.56 | n/a | $44.77 | $53.74 | $53.49 | −7.40% |
2011 | $47.39 | $51.50 | $49.99 | n/a | $48.19 | $50.86 | $50.51 | −5.60% |
2012 | $47.22 | $51.04 | $51.97 | n/a | $42.54 | $51.61 | $51.31 | 1.60% |
2013 | $43.44 | $44.78 | $45.40 | n/a | $44.86 | $43.93 | $44.86 | −12.60% |
2014 | $45.40 | $45.59 | $44.29 | n/a | $54.29 | $46.20 | $45.26 | 0.90% |
2015 | $48.45 | $49.04 | $48.15 | $46.65 | $56.70 | $49.28 | $48.68 | 7.60% |
2016 | $49.56 | $44.39 | $50.96 | $46.98 | $49.38 | $50.89 | $48.77 | 0.20% |
2017 | $41.03 | $38.62 | $41.85 | $36.40 | $35.91 | $44.40 | $40.95 | −16.00% |
2018 | $42.39 | $36.69 | $40.42 | $39.25 | $36.71 | $41.28 | $39.43 | −3.72% |
2019 | $39.77 | $37.23 | $37.79 | $38.90 | $27.72 | $39.28 | $37.62 | −4.59% |
CAGR | −2.60% | −4.62% | −4.59% | −2.59% | −6.95% | −3.53% | −4.27% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $121.04 | $113.21 | $111.51 | $111.51 | $113.67 | $109.68 | $112.34 | |
2009 | $105.61 | $104.38 | $102.20 | $112.82 | $94.64 | $101.24 | $103.24 | −8.10% |
2010 | $101.44 | $108.37 | $112.63 | n/a | $94.97 | $107.27 | $109.59 | 6.20% |
2011 | $96.73 | $98.73 | $100.76 | n/a | $96.69 | $99.61 | $99.69 | −9.00% |
2012 | $96.44 | $98.92 | $98.26 | n/a | $96.42 | $98.22 | $98.37 | −1.30% |
2013 | $94.40 | $93.78 | $93.89 | n/a | $77.07 | $93.96 | $93.59 | −4.90% |
2014 | $86.91 | $73.59 | $81.00 | n/a | $65.33 | $86.46 | $79.69 | −14.90% |
2015 | $86.76 | $82.96 | $87.36 | $73.54 | $72.56 | $88.32 | $85.22 | 6.90% |
2016 | $79.29 | $62.98 | $80.48 | $69.86 | $71.59 | $80.48 | $74.67 | −6.30% |
2017 | $80.73 | $59.05 | $75.63 | $58.18 | $62.88 | $80.43 | $70.70 | −5.30% |
2018 | $83.13 | $45.91 | $84.76 | $50.42 | $61.35 | $83.67 | $70.99 | 0.41% |
2019 | $69.63 | $44.87 | $74.67 | $48.71 | $53.66 | $75.70 | $64.80 | −8.72% |
CAGR | −4.90% | −8.07% | −3.58% | −7.25% | −6.60% | −3.31% | −4.88% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | $89.23 | $92.29 | $92.81 | n/a | $65.62 | $97.69 | $92.99 | |
2015 | $91.23 | $76.22 | $87.83 | $61.82 | $64.43 | $89.78 | $83.08 | −10.70% |
2016 | $88.73 | $69.98 | $87.69 | $63.69 | $68.15 | $88.24 | $81.05 | −2.40% |
2017 | $93.98 | $68.26 | $87.45 | $67.04 | $56.43 | $93.74 | $81.61 | 0.70% |
2018 | $86.48 | $57.95 | $85.23 | $52.77 | $78.48 | $85.09 | $75.44 | −7.56% |
2019 | $83.94 | $53.92 | $84.71 | $57.63 | $56.72 | $85.83 | $74.42 | −1.36% |
CAGR | −1.22% | −10.19% | −1.81% | −1.74% | −2.87% | −2.56% | −4.36% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | $122.21 | $94.67 | $117.93 | $65.76 | $65.62 | $117.65 | $107.50 | |
2016 | $109.64 | $79.44 | $105.81 | $70.38 | $82.15 | $109.11 | $96.55 | −10.20% |
2017 | $105.89 | $87.09 | $113.95 | $74.71 | $74.06 | $121.49 | $104.49 | 8.20% |
2018 | $101.67 | $65.27 | $99.69 | $61.56 | $66.68 | $100.76 | $87.32 | −16.43% |
2019 | $98.62 | $64.28 | $100.21 | $65.35 | $56.66 | $101.13 | $87.57 | 0.29% |
CAGR | −5.22% | −9.23% | −3.99% | −0.16% | −3.61% | −3.71% | −5.00% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | $250.18 | $190.40 | $257.18 | $180.00 | $182.44 | $256.00 | $231.99 | |
2017 | $265.33 | $216.56 | $288.55 | $257.38 | $194.98 | $292.34 | $264.65 | 14.10% |
2018 | $280.81 | $164.28 | $265.86 | $123.60 | $177.52 | $267.69 | $227.87 | −13.90% |
2019 | $233.49 | $160.31 | $229.98 | $143.14 | $164.22 | $233.28 | $205.78 | −9.69% |
CAGR | −2.27% | −5.57% | −3.66% | −7.35% | −3.45% | −3.05% | −3.92% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Table A2.2 - Canadian Fixed Broadband Internet Service Prices
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $34.95 | $32.45 | $38.95 | $29.95 | $30.45 | $23.45 | $32.88 | |
2009 | $35.95 | $28.43 | $35.45 | $30.95 | $30.45 | $24.95 | $30.98 | −5.79% |
2010 | $36.95 | $29.43 | $33.45 | n/a | $30.95 | $29.00 | $31.44 | 1.49% |
2011 | $36.15 | $36.90 | $34.15 | n/a | $32.52 | $33.00 | $34.85 | 10.86% |
2012 | $39.15 | $33.35 | $45.37 | n/a | $31.95 | $35.40 | $39.37 | 12.98% |
2013 | $42.15 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $31.95 | $39.00 | $38.91 | −1.19% |
2014 | $40.15 | n/a | $50.95 | n/a | $42.95 | n/a | $50.00 | 28.50% |
2015 | $55.13 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $34.10 | n/a | $47.51 | −4.96% |
2016 | $88.73 | $41.07 | $33.63 | $55.80 | $46.95 | $51.00 | $41.94 | −11.74% |
2017 | $50.27 | $41.47 | $32.52 | $59.00 | $49.75 | $57.58 | $41.83 | −0.25% |
2018 | $39.40 | $45.19 | $39.11 | $30.61 | $46.17 | $40.01 | $40.67 | −2.78% |
2019 | $57.95 | $37.64 | $35.09 | $28.61 | n/a | $33.51 | $35.98 | −11.54% |
CAGR | 4.70% | 1.36% | −0.94% | −0.42% | n/a | 3.30% | 0.82% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $47.45 | $48.95 | $48.95 | $41.95 | $45.45 | $40.95 | $46.58 | |
2009 | $48.45 | $50.43 | $50.95 | $42.95 | $45.45 | $38.45 | $47.26 | 1.47% |
2010 | $49.45 | $51.43 | $47.95 | n/a | $45.95 | $40.00 | $47.60 | 0.71% |
2011 | $50.75 | $52.83 | $49.33 | n/a | $48.52 | $45.65 | $49.79 | 4.61% |
2012 | $57.75 | $60.92 | $52.79 | n/a | $54.95 | $46.40 | $54.31 | 9.07% |
2013 | $51.15 | $55.60 | $47.18 | n/a | $54.95 | $53.51 | $51.20 | −5.72% |
2014 | $54.95 | $53.91 | $55.25 | n/a | $54.95 | $56.68 | $55.10 | 7.61% |
2015 | $74.45 | $54.83 | $55.17 | $59.17 | $52.88 | $59.90 | $56.66 | 2.84% |
2016 | n/a | $51.75 | $61.92 | $62.60 | $56.95 | $62.00 | $58.88 | 3.91% |
2017 | n/a | $53.26 | $72.14 | $66.70 | $59.75 | $69.29 | $65.54 | 11.31% |
2018 | n/a | $56.61 | $48.33 | $76.52 | $55.34 | $74.77 | $57.36 | −12.48% |
2019 | n/a | $55.38 | $50.95 | $68.58 | $49.95 | $52.61 | $53.20 | −7.26% |
CAGR | n/a | 1.13% | 0.36% | 4.57% | 0.86% | 2.30% | 1.21% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $57.45 | $83.45 | $73.95 | $52.95 | $55.95 | $50.95 | $68.74 | |
2009 | $58.45 | $64.40 | $62.45 | $52.95 | $55.95 | $53.45 | $60.08 | −12.60% |
2010 | $59.45 | $65.40 | $62.45 | n/a | $56.45 | $55.48 | $61.88 | 3.00% |
2011 | $60.75 | $66.33 | $65.35 | n/a | $56.75 | $55.00 | $63.44 | 2.52% |
2012 | $88.95 | $66.95 | $72.17 | n/a | $79.95 | $54.60 | $67.94 | 7.09% |
2013 | $77.95 | $67.05 | $64.35 | n/a | $79.95 | $60.69 | $65.18 | −4.07% |
2014 | $87.95 | $67.15 | $70.87 | n/a | $70.95 | $62.00 | $68.60 | 5.25% |
2015 | $92.95 | $59.93 | $71.39 | $67.93 | $62.88 | $68.17 | $67.81 | −1.15% |
2016 | n/a | $56.09 | $65.20 | $70.60 | $62.95 | $69.06 | $63.48 | −6.39% |
2017 | n/a | $50.80 | $70.89 | $73.35 | $73.95 | $73.09 | $65.59 | 3.32% |
2018 | $82.50 | $55.62 | $79.15 | $76.82 | $66.19 | $71.16 | $70.70 | 7.78% |
2019 | n/a | $65.24 | $51.54 | $77.90 | $66.19 | $40.39 | $55.20 | −21.91% |
CAGR | n/a | −2.21% | −3.23% | 3.57% | 1.54% | −2.09% | −1.97% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | $84.75 | $73.30 | $73.75 | n/a | $99.95 | $91.40 | $77.71 | |
2012 | $138.95 | $82.95 | $106.98 | n/a | n/a | $74.90 | $94.39 | 21.47% |
2013 | $102.75 | $82.95 | $80.57 | n/a | $99.95 | $85.00 | $82.88 | −12.19% |
2014 | $99.55 | $84.75 | $86.87 | n/a | $105.95 | $86.00 | $86.46 | 4.31% |
2015 | $99.26 | $74.51 | $79.68 | $87.10 | $105.80 | $89.79 | $80.63 | −6.74% |
2016 | $84.17 | $72.21 | $76.80 | $89.80 | $85.95 | $89.16 | $78.77 | −2.30% |
2017 | $87.22 | $78.06 | $85.51 | $90.00 | $83.95 | $79.18 | $82.54 | 4.79% |
2018 | $95.69 | $71.14 | $95.84 | $94.14 | $96.65 | $86.67 | $87.00 | 5.41% |
2019 | $86.27 | $73.63 | $70.42 | $83.71 | $96.65 | $62.34 | $72.01 | −17.23% |
CAGR | 0.22% | 0.06% | −0.58% | −0.99% | −0.42% | −4.67% | −0.95% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | $133.10 | $138.80 | $92.91 | $123.00 | n/a | $123.00 | $114.65 | |
2017 | $113.55 | $79.15 | $100.08 | $122.01 | $139.95 | $92.50 | $95.10 | −17.06% |
2018 | $108.62 | $87.22 | $108.90 | $116.44 | $104.95 | $107.61 | $102.76 | 8.06% |
2019 | $103.95 | $87.00 | $87.11 | $74.53 | $104.95 | $59.31 | $83.25 | −18.99% |
CAGR | -7.91% | -14.42% | -2.12% | -15.38% | -13.40% | -21.59% | -10.12% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | $125.69 | $105.45 | $135.23 | n/a | $144.95 | n/a | $123.87 | |
2019 | $112.13 | $78.30 | $96.74 | $98.19 | $144.95 | $89.94 | $93.03 | −24.90% |
CAGR | −10.8% | −25.7% | −28.5% | n/a | 0% | n/a | −24.90% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Table A2.3 - Canadian Mobile Internet Prices
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | $54.15 | $54.15 | $54.15 | n/a | $56.23 | $54.16 | $54.19 | |
2011 | $52.32 | $52.76 | $52.17 | n/a | $53.98 | $52.22 | $52.41 | −3.29% |
2012 | $53.05 | $52.56 | $52.51 | n/a | $53.05 | $52.51 | $52.55 | 0.27% |
2013 | $45.12 | $44.52 | $44.37 | n/a | $48.99 | $44.52 | $44.55 | −15.22% |
2014 | $43.75 | $43.22 | $43.19 | n/a | $47.08 | $43.30 | $43.30 | −2.80% |
2015 | $43.06 | $43.63 | $43.19 | $44.88 | $50.38 | $43.30 | $43.55 | 0.56% |
2016 | $46.07 | $45.72 | $46.53 | $48.00 | $52.56 | $46.53 | $46.47 | 6.71% |
2017 | $42.93 | $42.32 | $43.92 | $44.65 | $27.68 | $42.86 | $43.01 | −7.44% |
2018 | $41.96 | $39.43 | $37.38 | $39.10 | $41.77 | $37.36 | $38.28 | −11.01% |
2019 | $42.99 | $41.10 | $40.06 | $41.95 | $42.85 | $40.01 | $40.60 | 6.08% |
CAGR | −2.53% | −3.02% | −3.29% | −1.67% | −2.98% | −3.31% | −3.16% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | $66.38 | $60.94 | $65.59 | n/a | $69.55 | $70.22 | $65.11 | |
2013 | $66.79 | $59.22 | $65.21 | n/a | $70.11 | $71.28 | $64.67 | −0.67% |
2014 | $67.08 | $59.49 | $65.60 | n/a | $68.75 | $65.90 | $63.90 | −1.19% |
2015 | $65.73 | $60.57 | $65.60 | $68.63 | $71.88 | $65.90 | $64.48 | 0.91% |
2016 | $62.47 | $62.62 | $63.19 | $66.00 | $71.31 | $63.19 | $63.30 | −1.82% |
2017 | $61.01 | $60.71 | $61.08 | $62.78 | $33.99 | $62.14 | $60.79 | −3.98% |
2018 | $62.39 | $61.98 | $62.38 | $62.80 | $37.63 | $62.52 | $61.90 | 1.83% |
2019 | $63.41 | $63.65 | $65.21 | $63.35 | $47.75 | $65.37 | $64.04 | 3.45% |
CAGR | −0.65% | 0.62% | −0.08% | −1.98% | −5.23% | −1.02% | −0.24% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
NS | QC | ON | MB | SK | BC | Canada | YoY% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | $78.89 | $81.07 | $80.70 | $84.50 | $81.41 | $80.70 | $80.98 | |
2017 | $83.85 | $80.86 | $85.00 | $81.36 | $47.83 | $81.25 | $82.28 | 1.60% |
2018 | $85.02 | $83.77 | $83.94 | $83.25 | $51.98 | $83.94 | $83.35 | 1.30% |
2019 | $80.78 | $82.42 | $84.85 | $80.60 | $60.40 | $84.85 | $82.99 | −0.43% |
CAGR | 0.79% | 0.55% | 1.68% | −1.56% | −9.47% | 1.68% | 0.82% | |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Attachment 3 – International Price Comparisons
Table A3.1 – International Mobile Wireless Service Prices
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $60.81 | $64.54 | $32.90 | $53.98 | $56.30 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2009 | $57.78 | $66.38 | $36.67 | $44.73 | $61.51 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2010 | $53.49 | $60.60 | $35.65 | $37.27 | $68.70 | n/a | n/a | $44.34 |
2011 | $50.51 | $68.69 | $36.97 | $32.75 | $74.86 | n/a | n/a | $49.14 |
2012 | $51.31 | $72.94 | $34.56 | $38.43 | $61.13 | n/a | n/a | $49.28 |
2013 | $44.86 | $76.14 | $35.04 | $38.85 | $44.08 | n/a | n/a | $44.36 |
2014 | $45.26 | $55.91 | $38.69 | $41.17 | $37.55 | $33.61 | $36.48 | $50.98 |
2015 | $48.68 | $57.59 | $38.98 | $33.62 | $40.87 | $22.48 | $35.35 | $54.81 |
2016 | $48.77 | $51.64 | n/a | $25.79 | $24.17 | $24.41 | $28.28 | $48.78 |
2017 | $40.95 | $49.48 | $27.36 | $22.58 | $23.88 | n/a | n/a | $45.38 |
2018 | $39.43 | $44.29 | n/a | $16.68 | n/a | $11.86 | $15.06 | n/a |
2019 | $37.62 | $42.89 | n/a | $16.32 | $10.76 | $12.25 | $14.92 | $35.31 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $112.34 | $135.72 | $96.75 | $90.23 | $110.46 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2009 | $103.24 | $132.58 | $93.13 | $76.36 | $109.08 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2010 | $109.59 | $124.01 | $91.93 | $69.49 | $109.37 | n/a | n/a | $117.19 |
2011 | $99.69 | $139.03 | $73.87 | $64.27 | $100.75 | n/a | n/a | $120.21 |
2012 | $98.37 | $141.80 | $52.35 | $69.30 | $84.77 | n/a | n/a | $118.51 |
2013 | $93.59 | $145.79 | $49.54 | $63.52 | $58.90 | n/a | n/a | $125.24 |
2014 | $79.69 | $91.52 | $72.10 | $72.14 | $63.68 | $67.06 | $71.15 | $139.90 |
2015 | $85.22 | $85.65 | $69.97 | $68.03 | $61.50 | $53.94 | $71.91 | $88.96 |
2016 | $74.67 | $73.00 | $30.91 | $30.13 | $38.08 | $34.79 | $56.20 | $89.72 |
2017 | $70.70 | $54.17 | $39.08 | $28.65 | $30.24 | $20.51 | $64.03 | n/a |
2018 | $70.99 | $62.48 | $19.40 | $32.40 | n/a | n/a | $30.10 | n/a |
2019 | $64.80 | $50.17 | n/a | $35.56 | n/a | n/a | $22.89 | $57.82 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | $92.99 | $109.28 | $84.85 | $58.37 | $50.14 | $61.52 | $80.63 | n/a |
2015 | $83.08 | $92.23 | $77.80 | $62.03 | $48.24 | $63.47 | $71.56 | n/a |
2016 | $81.05 | $89.50 | $44.78 | $35.55 | $61.60 | $49.42 | $68.12 | n/a |
2017 | $81.61 | $67.20 | $54.29 | $34.26 | $31.86 | $41.22 | $72.41 | $60.11 |
2018 | $75.44 | $61.26 | $24.70 | $26.56 | $30.91 | $21.11 | $45.80 | $81.52 |
2019 | $74.42 | $59.50 | $22.35 | $24.72 | $33.09 | $26.80 | $41.08 | $78.42 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | $107.50 | $131.12 | $97.43 | $68.93 | $60.96 | $77.44 | $102.74 | n/a |
2016 | $96.55 | $117.33 | $66.67 | $42.22 | $70.12 | $61.02 | $88.23 | n/a |
2017 | $104.49 | $75.06 | $67.04 | $39.20 | $46.45 | $53.22 | $82.21 | $74.12 |
2018 | $87.32 | $97.88 | $27.27 | $31.26 | $34.31 | $29.55 | $64.89 | $103.07 |
2019 | $87.57 | $63.04 | NA | $28.48 | $27.28 | NA | $54.67 | $95.63 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | $231.99 | $206.19 | $198.50 | $99.31 | n/a | n/a | $284.12 | n/a |
2017 | $264.65 | $244.64 | n/a | $91.42 | $157.80 | n/a | $291.53 | n/a |
2018 | $227.87 | $206.57 | $98.96 | $84.77 | $66.32 | $75.39 | $120.88 | $222.66 |
2019 | $205.78 | $171.41 | $67.80 | $64.36 | $49.55 | $58.30 | $91.01 | $179.31 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Table A3.2 - International Fixed Broadband Internet Service Prices
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $32.88 | $33.77 | $42.79 | $29.93 | $42.23 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2009 | $30.98 | $40.19 | $41.31 | n/a | $44.87 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2010 | $31.44 | $39.61 | $34.91 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $39.73 |
2011 | $34.85 | $51.06 | $29.84 | n/a | $28.33 | n/a | n/a | $43.13 |
2012 | $39.37 | $57.24 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $50.48 |
2013 | $38.91 | $52.38 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $45.55 |
2014 | $50.00 | $62.53 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $56.55 |
2015 | $47.51 | $54.54 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $57.83 |
2016 | $41.94 | $79.64 | $58.38 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $28.28 | n/a |
2017 | $41.83 | $63.92 | $54.72 | n/a | n/a | $41.18 | n/a | $59.49 |
2018 | $40.67 | $63.32 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $60.53 | n/a | $40.56 |
2019 | $35.98 | $62.50 | n/a | $37.52 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $46.58 | $55.97 | $62.56 | $44.05 | $45.82 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2009 | $47.26 | $57.92 | $63.76 | $30.22 | $48.69 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2010 | $47.60 | $58.97 | $52.01 | $40.57 | $44.03 | n/a | n/a | $49.55 |
2011 | $49.79 | $65.14 | $56.74 | $40.72 | $47.41 | n/a | n/a | $53.79 |
2012 | $54.31 | $78.84 | $59.81 | $30.50 | $46.97 | n/a | n/a | $55.70 |
2013 | $51.20 | $81.42 | $58.15 | $32.85 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $52.53 |
2014 | $55.10 | $72.91 | $50.67 | $30.22 | n/a | $52.26 | $26.09 | $60.65 |
2015 | $56.66 | $67.66 | $53.75 | n/a | $67.78 | $54.31 | $29.08 | $61.03 |
2016 | $58.88 | $83.85 | $54.49 | n/a | $73.83 | $64.29 | n/a | $51.75 |
2017 | $65.54 | $82.43 | $46.90 | n/a | $39.81 | n/a | $27.77 | $54.39 |
2018 | $57.36 | $75.56 | n/a | $54.13 | $48.83 | n/a | n/a | $61.14 |
2019 | $53.20 | $69.35 | n/a | $40.36 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $47.76 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | $68.74 | $67.40 | $76.47 | $52.72 | $49.41 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2009 | $60.08 | $70.41 | $77.98 | $35.93 | $47.73 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2010 | $61.88 | $75.26 | $74.32 | $46.24 | $57.45 | n/a | n/a | $72.15 |
2011 | $63.44 | $79.60 | $59.72 | $40.09 | $66.37 | n/a | n/a | $54.52 |
2012 | $67.94 | $97.00 | $61.69 | $40.88 | $46.07 | n/a | n/a | $59.37 |
2013 | $65.18 | $99.10 | $57.10 | $43.01 | $49.34 | n/a | n/a | $61.52 |
2014 | $68.60 | $79.76 | $67.44 | $46.89 | $51.15 | $52.92 | $38.30 | $63.88 |
2015 | $67.81 | $91.55 | $69.64 | $41.25 | $51.68 | $52.28 | $47.08 | $64.50 |
2016 | $63.48 | $97.53 | $57.41 | $40.43 | n/a | $41.77 | $49.75 | $71.52 |
2017 | $65.59 | $99.64 | $70.35 | $55.67 | $50.43 | n/a | $46.80 | $68.32 |
2018 | $70.70 | $84.33 | $66.74 | $49.42 | $38.15 | $45.45 | $50.18 | $71.77 |
2019 | $55.20 | $69.02 | $62.36 | $46.11 | n/a | $49.26 | $49.15 | n/a |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | $77.71 | $95.07 | $67.19 | $50.07 | $49.79 | n/a | n/a | $59.76 |
2012 | $94.39 | $160.97 | $82.25 | $58.66 | $62.36 | n/a | n/a | $62.65 |
2013 | $82.88 | $123.27 | $72.69 | $53.31 | $54.58 | n/a | n/a | $64.89 |
2014 | $86.46 | $103.17 | $70.33 | $47.76 | $55.98 | $61.79 | $58.52 | $67.73 |
2015 | $80.63 | $105.90 | $72.66 | $50.75 | $57.95 | $60.45 | $59.32 | $65.32 |
2016 | $78.77 | $112.30 | $71.03 | $54.20 | $63.80 | $53.02 | $61.78 | $49.78 |
2017 | $82.54 | $114.81 | $89.98 | $59.38 | $42.47 | n/a | $54.45 | $69.58 |
2018 | $87.00 | $105.34 | $88.74 | $67.69 | $53.14 | $65.20 | $64.84 | $84.43 |
2019 | $72.01 | $75.48 | $75.06 | $55.20 | n/a | $42.27 | $53.80 | $63.69 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | $114.65 | $127.69 | n/a | $57.56 | $70.54 | n/a | $56.57 | $71.36 |
2017 | $95.10 | $145.15 | n/a | $70.67 | $50.19 | $60.39 | $58.33 | $65.64 |
2018 | $102.76 | $131.06 | n/a | $64.86 | $60.86 | n/a | $72.45 | $79.90 |
2019 | $83.25 | $93.01 | n/a | $75.87 | $33.79 | $49.26 | $65.87 | $77.69 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | $123.87 | $160.08 | n/a | $78.96 | $70.18 | $46.33 | $94.33 | $72.23 |
2019 | $93.03 | $120.62 | n/a | $78.62 | $41.20 | $42.27 | $47.64 | $76.31 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Table A3.3 Canadian Mobile Internet Prices
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | $54.19 | $73.26 | $33.89 | $24.86 | $46.29 | n/a | n/a | $76.00 |
2011 | $52.41 | $71.50 | $27.18 | $23.51 | $43.30 | n/a | n/a | $69.38 |
2012 | $52.55 | $52.29 | $31.38 | $27.42 | $39.36 | n/a | n/a | $54.89 |
2013 | $44.55 | $54.61 | $28.80 | $23.71 | $34.98 | n/a | n/a | $57.54 |
2014 | $43.30 | $63.74 | $25.67 | $21.90 | $18.47 | $17.56 | $34.37 | $50.05 |
2015 | $43.55 | $63.02 | $28.15 | $21.44 | $17.60 | $15.87 | $25.96 | $55.49 |
2016 | $46.47 | $50.68 | $15.57 | $17.61 | $14.98 | $14.35 | $23.56 | $51.81 |
2017 | $43.01 | $38.73 | $11.73 | $15.33 | $12.11 | $14.81 | $20.40 | $37.22 |
2018 | $38.28 | $43.49 | $15.56 | $15.45 | $15.74 | $12.71 | $22.52 | $70.31 |
2019 | $40.60 | $39.72 | n/a | $15.88 | n/a | n/a | $20.45 | $66.43 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 |
$65.11 | $69.51 | $44.85 | $39.11 | $100.15 | n/a | n/a | $56.77 |
2013 |
$64.67 | $59.82 | $35.13 | $62.01 | $44.65 | n/a | n/a | $58.24 |
2014 |
$63.90 | $69.05 | $36.80 | $45.93 | $43.04 | $25.86 | $49.70 | $62.04 |
2015 |
$64.48 | $77.72 | $41.69 | $30.60 | $29.18 | $27.05 | $37.17 | $63.82 |
2016 |
$63.30 | $76.93 | $29.67 | $21.07 | $28.11 | $21.71 | $37.31 | $73.74 |
2017 |
$60.79 | $72.44 | $30.84 | $20.54 | $18.59 | $20.87 | $29.67 | $54.81 |
2018 |
$61.90 | $64.59 | $26.24 | $19.78 | n/a | $17.22 | $35.56 | $75.49 |
2019 |
$64.04 | $62.05 | $15.03 | $22.18 | $20.73 | $10.56 | $32.81 | $69.41 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Canada | U.S.A. | Australia | U.K. | France | Italy | Germany | Japan | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 |
$80.98 | $110.38 | $48.17 | $24.47 | $63.45 | $31.58 | n/a | $87.09 |
2017 |
$82.28 | $92.46 | $36.62 | $28.48 | $39.09 | $28.80 | $35.98 | $64.28 |
2018 |
$83.35 | $87.30 | $39.35 | $28.19 | $33.53 | $38.73 | $38.38 | $105.94 |
2019 |
$82.99 | $85.97 | $23.66 | $27.85 | $30.05 | $15.06 | $40.50 | $98.68 |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019 |
Attachment 4 – Canadian Roaming Rates
(Data collected August 2019)
Rogers (Roam Like Home)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roam Like Home | $7 per day | US and Canada | Canada and US | From your monthly plan | 15 day max. ($105) |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$7.99 per day (Data only) |
US and Canada | Up to 50 MB per day | ||
$1.45 per minute | US and Canada | |||
$0.75 per message | US and Canada |
Bell (Roam Better)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roam Better | $8 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | 15 day max. ($120) |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$40 per 30 days | 200 minutes US and Canada | Unlimited US and Canada | 200 MB US and Canada | |
$80 per 30 days | 1,000 minutes US and Canada | 1 GB US and Canada | ||
$20 per 30 days | 200 MB US and Canada | Data only | ||
$50 per 30 days | 1 GB US and Canada | Data only |
TELUS (Easy Roam)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Easy Roam | $8 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | 15 day max.($120) |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$5.00 per MB (Data only) |
US and Canada | |||
$1.50 per minute | US and Canada | |||
$0.60 per message | US and Canada |
Freedom (Big Gig Roam Extra)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Gig | $5 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | No max. | |
Big Gig | $10 for 2 days | 150 MB | Data only | ||
Big Gig | $25 for 5 days | 1 GB | Data only | ||
Big Gig | $50 for 10 days | 3 GB | Data only | ||
Big Gig | $100 for 20 days | 10 GB | Data only |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$0.20 per MB | US and Canada | |||
$0.50 per minute | US and Canada | |||
$0.20 per message | US and Canada |
Videotron (Traveller Pass/Without Borders)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traveller Pass | $7 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | 10 day max. ($70) |
Without Borders | $80 per month | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 8 GB | |
Without Borders | $90 per month | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 9 GB | |
Without Borders | $100 per month | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 10 GB |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$0.15 per MB | US and Canada | |||
$.30 per minute (local) | US and Canada | |||
$0.15 per message (outgoing) | US and Canada |
EastLink (easyTravel)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EasyTravel | $8 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | No max. |
Combo Pack | $15 per 3 days | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 300 MB | |
Combo Pack | $35 per 7 days | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 750 MB | |
Combo Pack | $35 per month | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | None | |
Combo Pack | $50 per 10 days | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 1 GB | |
Combo Pack | $80 per month | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 1 GB |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$1.00 per MB | US and Canada | |||
$.50 per minute (local) | US and Canada | |||
$0.50 per message (outgoing) | US and Canada |
Fido (Fido Roam)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roam Like Home | $7 per day | From your monthly plan | From your monthly plan | From your monthly plan | 15 day max. ($105) |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$7.99 per day (Data only) |
US and Canada | Up to 50 MB per day | |||
Postpaid Pay-as-you-go | $1.45 per minute | US and Canada | |||
Postpaid Pay-as-you-go | $0.75 per message | US and Canada | |||
Postpaid Pay-as-you-go | $7.99 for 50 MB | ||||
Postpaid Pay-as-you-go | $2.00 per minute | US and Canada | |||
Postpaid Pay-as-you-go | $0.75 per message | US and Canada | |||
No data plan available for PAYG prepaid |
Virgin (Roam Sweet Roam)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roam Sweet Roam with Home Data | $8 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | 20 day max. ($160) |
Roam Sweet Roam with100 MB | $7 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | 100 MB | |
50 MB Travel Pass | $10 per 30 days | 50 MB | Data only | ||
100 MB Travel Pass | $20 per 30 days | 100 MB | Data only |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travel Pass | $40 per 30 days | 200 minutes US and Canada | Unlimited US and Canada | 200 MB US and Canada | |
Travel Pass | $80 per 30 days | 1,000 minutes US and Canada | 1 GB US and Canada | ||
Travel Pass | $20 per 30 days | 200 MB US and Canada | Data only | ||
Travel Pass | $50 per 30 days | 1 GB US and Canada | Data only | ||
$1.45 | Per minute | ||||
$0.75 | Per text |
Koodo (Easy Roam)
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Easy Roam | $8 per day | Unlimited US and Canada | Unlimited Canada and US | From your monthly plan | $100 max. |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$10.00 for 50 MB data | US and Canada | |||
$1.50 per minute | US to Canada | |||
$0.60 per minute | Canada to US | |||
$10 for 100 sent texts | US and Canada |
Primus
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$20 per month | 25 minutes US and Canada | 100 texts | ||
$40 per month | 100 minutes US and Canada | Unlimited texts | ||
$40 per month | 50 minutes US and Canada | Unlimited texts | 200 MB | |
$80 per month | 100 minutes US and Canada | Unlimited texts | 500 MB | |
$40 per month | 150 total minutes (in either US or Canada) | Unlimited Canada and US | None | |
$60 per month | 200 total minutes (in either US or Canada) | Unlimited Canada and US | 500 MB | |
$80 per month | 500 total minutes (in either US or Canada) | Unlimited Canada and US | 1 GB | Data only |
100 MB | Data only |
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$1.45 | Per minute | |||
$0.75 | Per text | |||
$1.00 | Per MB |
Petro-Canada Mobility
Price | Talk | Text | Data | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$0.55 | Per minute to US | |||
$0.15 per text | Per text sent to the US |
Wall Communications Inc. 2019