Some cellphone plans not as cheap as they were before Rogers-Shaw merger: watchdog

Certain cellphone plans in Western Canada usually are not as low cost as they as soon as have been previous to the Rogers-Shaw merger, Canada’s competitors watchdog says.

Jeanne Pratt, the Competition Bureau’s senior deputy commissioner of mergers and monopolistic practices, says the company hasn’t seen proof exhibiting Rogers Communications Inc. is providing comparable pricing for bundled wi-fi plans supplied by Shaw Mobile in Alberta and B.C. earlier than the $26-billion takeover closed final April.

Pratt was testifying on the House of Commons’ business committee on Monday together with representatives from the CRTC, as MPs examine the accessibility and affordability of wi-fi and broadband providers in Canada.

MPs on the committee sounded the alarm in January, when Rogers confirmed costs have been going up by a mean of $5 for wi-fi prospects not on contract and a few Bell Canada prospects have been additionally informed their wi-fi payments have been set to extend.

The committee has invited the chief executives of Rogers, BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. to testify at an upcoming assembly, nonetheless a discover of assembly this Wednesday lists different representatives of the Big 3 carriers who’re scheduled to look as witnesses.

NDP MP Brian Masse tabled a movement Monday to summon the three CEOs to look if that invitation shouldn’t be accepted.