Early results of B.C. cell phone survey show people frustrated with contracts, costs
Posted September 15, 2019 3:53 pm.
Last Updated September 15, 2019 7:58 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Pressure is mounting for Canada’s cellphone providers to bring prices down.
More than 15,000 people in B.C. have taken part in a survey on cell phone contracts and billing that was launched by the province in May.
The chair of the team charged with reviewing results –slated to be made public within a few weeks– says most issues raised are universal.
“People [are] concerned about the lengths of the contracts or content being confusing,” says Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith. “Cost and affordability. Those are some of the things I think are really important to emphasize in making sure we protect groups within our community that are vulnerable to aggressive sales tactics.”
Nine out of 10 respondents said they have cellphones, but fewer than 60 per cent have a landline. D’Eith says landlines are most common among seniors on a fixed income.
The federal New Democrats have already announced plans to cap prices and the Liberals have also promised to reduce costs if they’re re-elected.
D’Eith says the next step is deciding what to recommend to the federal government.
“What are we going to say to the federal government in terms of what steps we feel need to be made in terms of making cell phones more affordable,” he says. “There are ways that the federal government can take steps to make sure that people can get the remedies they want.”
The federal New Democrats have already announced plans to cap prices and the Liberals have also promised to reduce costs if they’re re-elected.
The CRTC, Canada’s telecom regulator, is also examining the transparency of existing contracts and the deadline for submissions to that review is Oct. 15th.
