If it meant lower cellphone bills, would you support Verizon entering the Canadian market?
If it meant lower cellphone bills, would you support Verizon entering the Canadian market?, Telecom giants Bell, Rogers and Telus oppose American provider Verizon coming to Canada, saying they will be able to charge cheaper rates on existing infrastructure. If it meant lower cellphone bills, would you support Verizon entering the Canadian market?
Thomas Bink: I don't think this would be an issue if Bell, Telus and Rogers offered cell plans that were a little more reasonable and flexible. Canada's cellphone rates are among the highest in the world, and tactics like forced two- or three-year plans are just over the top.
I get that Canada is a big country and the infrastructure isn't cheap, but there have to be more reasonable options – there are in India, Europe and the United States. There's no guarantee that Verizon will offer anything better than the big three already do, but let's at least start the conversation about giving consumers some better choices.
Matthew Coutts: The thing that really irks me is the big three pulling the patriotism card in their ad campaign against Verizon. They haven’t cared about Canadians up until this point. Like you said, Tom, rates are high and the bevy of additional super-secret service charges is a sign they consider it fair game on customers.
We’ve got provincial governments passing laws demanding industry leaders stop abusing customers. It is not a good situation. I might prefer not letting an American company into the industry, but at this point I’d consider Verizon liberators.
Andy Radia: I'll have to agree with you both. I remember from economics courses in university that competition is good. In both theory and practice it usually leads to lower prices, more product selection and better service. I was actually a customer of Verizon a couple of years ago when I was doing a lot of business in the United States. And while the prices weren't much better, the service was.
For example, they offered a plan whereby I could use my phone anywhere in North America without incurring roaming charges. Back then at least, none of the Canadian providers had such a plan. I know we have smaller companies in Canada to compete against the big three. But I think you really need a large player, like a Verizon, that has the wherewithal to compete and really shake-up the market.
Bink: And when you think about it, it wouldn't be an easy road for Verizon.
Most Canadians already have cellphone plans (and they're locked in for years to come) so it's not like they'll show up and grab millions of subscribers and put Rogers, Bell and Telus out of business. If nothing else, they'll disrupt the market to a point where the big three will have to be more competitive and offer more plan flexibility. And remember, Verizon sees Canada as an opportunity to make money, so they won't be giving things away.
Coutts: If Verizon’s appearance in the market is enough to make my current carrier balk at its prices, that’s enough for me. Remember, those little companies are either owned by the big three or piggyback on their networks. It’s win-win-win for them. There is a permeating sense that something is rotten in Canada’s current telecommunications industry, and Rogers/Bell-bashing currently accounts for (approximately) 47 per cent of all water-cooler conversation. A game change is necessary.
Radia: Yes, the big three have an uphill battle if they can think they can win the battle of public opinion on this issue. Years of high prices, poor customer service records and a corporate arrogance has Canadians wanting more options.
Bink: I just hope it happens soon, because my cell plan expires in the fall.
Thomas Bink: I don't think this would be an issue if Bell, Telus and Rogers offered cell plans that were a little more reasonable and flexible. Canada's cellphone rates are among the highest in the world, and tactics like forced two- or three-year plans are just over the top.
I get that Canada is a big country and the infrastructure isn't cheap, but there have to be more reasonable options – there are in India, Europe and the United States. There's no guarantee that Verizon will offer anything better than the big three already do, but let's at least start the conversation about giving consumers some better choices.
Matthew Coutts: The thing that really irks me is the big three pulling the patriotism card in their ad campaign against Verizon. They haven’t cared about Canadians up until this point. Like you said, Tom, rates are high and the bevy of additional super-secret service charges is a sign they consider it fair game on customers.
We’ve got provincial governments passing laws demanding industry leaders stop abusing customers. It is not a good situation. I might prefer not letting an American company into the industry, but at this point I’d consider Verizon liberators.
Andy Radia: I'll have to agree with you both. I remember from economics courses in university that competition is good. In both theory and practice it usually leads to lower prices, more product selection and better service. I was actually a customer of Verizon a couple of years ago when I was doing a lot of business in the United States. And while the prices weren't much better, the service was.
For example, they offered a plan whereby I could use my phone anywhere in North America without incurring roaming charges. Back then at least, none of the Canadian providers had such a plan. I know we have smaller companies in Canada to compete against the big three. But I think you really need a large player, like a Verizon, that has the wherewithal to compete and really shake-up the market.
Bink: And when you think about it, it wouldn't be an easy road for Verizon.
Most Canadians already have cellphone plans (and they're locked in for years to come) so it's not like they'll show up and grab millions of subscribers and put Rogers, Bell and Telus out of business. If nothing else, they'll disrupt the market to a point where the big three will have to be more competitive and offer more plan flexibility. And remember, Verizon sees Canada as an opportunity to make money, so they won't be giving things away.
Coutts: If Verizon’s appearance in the market is enough to make my current carrier balk at its prices, that’s enough for me. Remember, those little companies are either owned by the big three or piggyback on their networks. It’s win-win-win for them. There is a permeating sense that something is rotten in Canada’s current telecommunications industry, and Rogers/Bell-bashing currently accounts for (approximately) 47 per cent of all water-cooler conversation. A game change is necessary.
Radia: Yes, the big three have an uphill battle if they can think they can win the battle of public opinion on this issue. Years of high prices, poor customer service records and a corporate arrogance has Canadians wanting more options.
Bink: I just hope it happens soon, because my cell plan expires in the fall.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment