Telus came out with new rate plans earlier this week and many including yours truly and the Toronto Star commented that even though these were two year plans, Canadians would likely pay more. But the big slap in the face came from OpenMedia who used the latest OECD report on wireless pricing to make the argument that Canadians pay more than they should for wireless. It seems that Telus was stung by that because this blog post has made an appearance on the Telus blog. Titled “Wireless pricing in Canada – a broader look at the facts”, Telus via Brent Johnston who is their Vice President of Wireless Solutions makes this argument:
In its latest blog OpenMedia selectively pulls out a very few data points from the 2013 OECD report on wireless pricing in member countries including Canada to prove its long-standing – and just plain wrong – storyline about Canada having high wireless pricing.
The blog post then goes about making the argument by using the OECD data that Canadians are not as bad off when it comes to wireless pricing and they also make this statement:
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not arguing that Canada has the cheapest wireless rates in the world – that would be no more factual than the oft-repeated mythology that our prices are the highest.
However, if you step back and look at the facts – all the facts – Canadians clearly pay rates that compare well across the developed world for some of the best wireless technology in the world.
There’s a saying: “There are lies, dammed lies, and statistics.” You can likely slice and dice this OECD report and make an argument based on that if you’re good with numbers. I won’t do that to prove who’s right and who’s wrong because I’m a computer nerd, not a mathematician. But having said that, here’s what I will say. I travel extensively to the US and parts of Western Europe. People I interact with, especially in Europe, are stunned by how much Canadians pay for what we get which isn’t a lot by European standards. They’re shocked that our roaming rates are so high and by the fact that our data charges are high by European standards. They see horror stories such as this one where people get billed huge dollar amounts while on vacation and are floored because that sort of thing would not happen in that part of the world. To me, all of that suggests that there’s something really wrong with what Canadians pay for wireless phone service. It is possible that Canadian wireless rates may not be the highest in the world, but they are sure not affordable. That’s something that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. New legislation. Foreign competition. It doesn’t matter how it’s fixed. It just needs to be fixed.
OpenMedia Champions Right To Repair In Canada
Posted in Commentary with tags OpenMedia on April 1, 2019 by itnerdOpenMedia was founded to fight for an open, accessible and affordable Internet. But Internet access is not just about having broadband in your community. It’s also about having access to durable and reliable computers and smartphones that allow you to use the Internet. The growing trend of planned obsolescence is a barrier for low and middle income people who can’t afford to buy a new device every 1-3 years. After all, when you buy a car, you know that you can go to any mechanic to do an oil change or replace a chipped window. Shouldn’t this be the same for your iPhone?
Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to repair your own devices.
Companies are increasingly forcing users to either buy a new product, or limit who can repair it by restricting the trade in parts and designing in ways too difficult to repair. Just try fixing a newer iPhone.
The end result is that you have to replace smartphones, toasters, washing machines and even farm tractors with higher frequency or pay more to fix them through an authorized dealer. Ultimately, people are paying more for the same products and generating more e-waste.
That’s why millions of people across North America and Europe are fighting for their right to repair their appliances, electronic devices and machinery. Already, at least 18 U.S. states and the EU are trying to pass right to repair legislation.
The right to repair isn’t just about being able to use toaster ovens longer. It’s about ensuring students have access to the Internet, farmers can repair their tractors, and mom-and-pop repair shops can stay open.
The time to enshrine the right to repair into law has come. Which is why OpenMedia is asking you to join the movement by signing on to this petition to bring right to repair to Canada sooner rather than later.
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