Canadian internet providers circumvent CRTC protection

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Fiber internet

Basic Information
Release Year	1989
Product Type	Fiber optic network
In Production	Yes, still being expanded across Canada today via government grants
Official Website	https://www.risq.quebec/

Internet access is a monthly subscription to access a physical infrastructure. Modern internet connections use cable such a COAX or fiber optics to deliver TV and internet to homes across Canada. Once the cables are in place and the installation is complete, customer interactions or maintenance outside of accidents and the degradation of cables over time is typically not needed. The average life span of a fiber-optic cable ranges from 20 to 40 years.

Internet access prices are mainly reflected by the speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), and the maximum data usage per month.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is a protection agency in Canada to protect Canadians from abuse by larger telecom companies. They do not regulate prices internet service providers are charging the end users, with the exception of prohibiting differential pricing (i.e., when a company offers different prices for the same level of service). They do, however, regulate the rates telecom companies charge their competitors to utilize their fiber networks.

Consumer Impact

Business model - Time based increases.

The CRTC and contract laws have a loophole that allow for "inflation" based increases with 30 to 60 days notice. These increases occur on the base price of the service. They're not allowed to touch discounts for a term period, which is often 2 years. Lower prices are used to attract new clients. An example would be $50 per month for fiber with lifetime discount or lifetime price.

Videotron issues increases frequently also regardless of what your price starts at. These are the sweeping emailed internet increases in recent years:^{[citation needed]}

• December 4, 2024 - 2$ - Notice by email 60 days prior
• March 18, 2023 - 3$ - Notice by email 60 days prior
• April 15, 2022 - 1$ - Notice by email 60 days prior
• March 1, 2021 - 3$ - Notice by email 60 days prior

Other times, the increase notice is listed at the bottom of the bill sent to the consumer.

Example of yearly Bell increase notice that will apply to all clients regardless.

Bell issues frequent increases of 5 to 6$ also regardless of what price you're currently paying. Recent sign-ups start around 50$ for over 1Gbit fiber services. Their door to door vendors or instore vendors will often say the price is good for 2 years, which is a misrepresentation.^{[citation needed]}

• May 1st, 2025 - 6$
• Feb 1st, 2025 - 4$
• July 1st, 2024 - 5$
• March 1st 2024 - 5$

Prices are often regionally adjusted to target areas they want to increase signups in which makes valuation of the product difficult. What's Gbit internet worth globally?

France 20,99€ per month for fiber 1gbit up and down - 32.80 CAD https://www.red-by-sfr.fr/offre-internet/#redintid=B_menu-boutique_box?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=652723&awc=7310_1747208248_7d249cdde7de681d34902ff74de7dc88&sfrcpid=t3_awin_8259_652723_RED-FR&utm_medium=affiliation&utm_source=8259&utm_campaign=652723_StudyinFrance

UK - £33.00 per month for fiber 1gbit - 61.32 CAD

https://onestream.co.uk/broadband/products

Australia - 99$ per month for fiber 1Gbit - 89.40 CAD

https://www.buddytelco.com.au/?utm_source=whistleout&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=residential_nbn600d41u&utm_content=byo&gad_source=7&dclid=COypr5C-oo0DFYSzpgQdu903HQ (Australia fiber networks are also heavily subsidized by the government)

Long-term clients often pay more than the current list price or the prices offered to new customers unless they regularly monitor and adjust their plans.

You signed at a certain price, but there's no certainly during that term companies won't indiscriminately raise prices. It's hard to budget.

Business model - misleading ads / pricing tree

Ad highlighting a price comparing a product with 6 times less bandwidth, offered at 55$ per month. However, looking on their site shows Fiber 500 is listed at 110$ per month.

Current base prices of internet to compare with ad offered to a customer based on location and Ip.

Market Control - Competition is limited large providers expand their networks with help from government grants.

Incidents

This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the .

Bell fights CRTC for allowing small companies to rent their networks to larger ones to service remote areas (2025 05 12)

Main article: link to the main article

CRTC wants to allow existing local provides the ability to rent their networks to larger national telecom companies instead of having the large telecom companies use grants to build parallel networks. Bell one of the dominating telecom companies doesn't support

Bell announces network wide sweeping increase starting May 1st, 2025 (2025 04 30)

Home internet prices are going up 6$ starting May 1st, 2025, a second increase this year.

CRTC makes internet at reasonable speeds a basic service and funds it (date)

CRTC invests 750 million for providers to offer speeds of 50mpbs to 8% of Canadians.