The few main carriers and little competition have led to some of the highest internet rates in the world.
The CRTC has now mandated that Internet Connectivity is an ‘Essential Service’: With many, it also means the only connection with families & loved ones.
Canadians depend on internet for so many things, such as; work-from-home, connecting with families, education, health needs, shopping, household, entertainment and much more.
However,
- The Canadian telecom/internet landscape is fairly monopolized, in that the dominant 3-4 major incumbent carriers set common market-standard rates among themselves.
- The average Canadian pays $105/month for hi-speed internet. Some pay higher, others lower depending on their circumstances.
- * Map: Canadian ranking on the world list
The ‘Haves’ vs the ‘Have-nots’:
Even average and above-average income earners alike across the country are generally in agreement over the excessively high rates.
However, the many left behind are those with well below average or ‘fixed-budget’ households; – Lo income individuals, families, groups, Seniors, First Nations, Disadvantaged.
As well, the current few subsidized plans for disadvantaged groups have high personal qualification requirements that make it difficult for many Canadians to qualify for a given program or another and are therefore left to deal with the excessively price plans within their fixed monthly budgets.
To some it literally means paying for internet or paying for groceries!