Freedom Mobile launches 1st nationwide plan. Here’s how much it costs – National | 24CA News
Freedom Mobile will provide a $50 month-to-month plan that features limitless calls and texts in addition to 40 gigabytes of information usable all through Canada and the U.S. following its acquisition by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron.
The $2.85 billion acquisition was prompted by Rogers Communications Inc.’s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc., which agreed final yr to promote Freedom Mobile in an try to ease competitors considerations as a requirement for the merger.
As a part of situations laid out by Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne in March, Videotron should provide plans which are at the least 20 per cent decrease than its rivals’ and spend $150 million over the subsequent two years to improve Freedom Mobile’s community.
The firm mentioned that work is underway, with groups devoted to upgrading the wi-fi community to help the upcoming implementation of 5G know-how and seamless roaming.
But the newly introduced plan, which marks Freedom’s first providing with nationwide protection, “goes well beyond any of the expectations that were set by Ottawa,” telecommunications advisor Mark Goldberg mentioned.
“This isn’t just 20 per cent. It’s a unique package,” he mentioned.
“This is a statement by Freedom that they’re going to be establishing themselves in the marketplace.”
While he mentioned it’s not the primary time a Canadian service has supplied transborder roaming, “it’s certainly the lowest price I’ve seen for it and it’s showing some aggressive price competition.”
Earlier this yr, Champagne mentioned his approval of the Rogers-Shaw merger would set up Freedom Mobile as a powerful fourth nationwide service, which might additionally encourage competitors and decrease costs within the market.
Goldberg expects Freedom, together with Rogers, Bell Canada and Telus Corp. to satisfy that expectation by providing additional incentives to clients.
Freedom mentioned it has additionally launched enhancements to its companies that transcend Quebecor’s commitments on the time of the transaction, similar to a worth freeze assure, which applies to all present and future clients for so long as they hold their plans.
Earlier this month, Rogers lowered the value per gigabyte of information by 50 per cent on its hottest plan, permitting clients to entry 50 gigabytes of information for $85 per thirty days. It additionally introduced new bundled choices for Rogers and Shaw clients in B.C., Alberta and different provinces.
Shaw Communications and Corus Entertainment, the guardian firm of Global News, are owned by the Shaw household primarily based in Calgary.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
