The Hidden Costs to Your Internet Service Providers

Worldline recognizes the challenges faced by Canadians due to the lack of choice and competition in the market. Our parent company, Fibernetics, is a CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) that is dedicated to fostering innovation, competition, and affordability in the telecommunications industry. With the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announcing a consultation on the Internet services market, now seems a good time for us to answer some questions you may have around the CRTC and the hidden costs of the Canadian telecommunications industry. 

What is the CRTC?

retro-broadcast-radio-receiver-pink-light-blue-background

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was created in 1976. It is a regulatory agency which represents the public’s interest when it comes to broadcasting and telecommunications. The CRTC has long been committed to ensuring all Canadians have access to world-class communications systems and they have made several decisions in recent years to address the pain points of Canadians; namely high prices, limited competition, poor customer service, and slow internet speeds.  

Their recent announcement of a consultation on the Internet services market, which includes a re-examination of wholesale rates and access to fiber-to-the-home networks, demonstrates their ongoing dedication to Canadians. While their actions are commendable, it is essential to consider the hidden costs associated with the current state of the Canadian telecommunications industry as these costs impact the quality, affordability, and accessibility of services for all Canadian consumers. 

What are the hidden costs of the Canadian telecom industry and how do they affect me?

High Prices

Why they happen: The market dominance of the “Big Three” telecom companies has long been a significant pain point for Canadians who often pay higher prices for services compared to consumers in other countries. Many of the “smaller” telecos that you may think of as independent, are owned by the “Big Three”. The lack of competition means that these large providers have little incentive to lower prices or offer better services.  

How does it impact me? Lack of competition in the market means you end up paying more for the services you need. 

Limited Innovation

Why it happens: A lack of competition can stifle innovation in the industry. When a few companies control the market, there’s less motivation to invest in new technologies, services, or infrastructure.  

How does it impact me? Less innovation means there are fewer emerging technologies which puts Canadians and our businesses at a disadvantage on the global stage. 

Rural-Urban Digital Divide

Why it happens: The Big Three have largely focused on investing in urban areas, leaving rural areas underserved. The CRTC has declared broadband internet to be a basic telecommunications service, but there is still work to be done to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas. 

Autumn view over Westport Ontario in Canada.

How does it impact me:  The lack of investment in rural infrastructure widens the digital divide, preventing many Canadians from accessing high-speed internet services and hindering smooth digital communication between Canadians in urban and rural areas.

Inefficient Market Dynamics 

Why it happens: The current market dynamics limit the potential of smaller Internet Service providers and alternate service providers like Fibernetics.

How does it impact me: Restricted access to fiber-to-the-home networks combined with high wholesale rates makes it difficult for smaller players to compete effectively, often forcing them to pass on higher costs to consumers. 

What is the CRTC Consultation All About? 

The CRTC’s recent announcement of a consultation on the Internet services market is a step in the right direction to address these hidden costs. By re-examining wholesale rates and considering mandating access to fiber-to-the-home networks for competitors, the CRTC is working to promote competition, lower prices, and increase choice for consumers. 

Here are some of the questions they’ll be examining: 

Should there be further Wholesale Rate Reductions? The CRTC has imposed an immediate 10% reduction on some wholesale rates. This move could help level the playing field for smaller ISPs and alternate service providers and allow them to offer more competitive pricing which ultimately benefits Canadian consumers. 

Should large telephone and cable companies provide competitors with access to their fiber-to-the-home networks? By enabling faster Internet speeds for customers and further promoting competition in the market, the CRTC will be addressing one of the primary pain points of Canadians. Mandated access to these networks could lead to a more innovative and competitive industry, ultimately benefiting consumers with better services and better pricing. 

Feedback Comment Survey Support Response Bar Word

What is the public’s opinion? The CRTC wants to remain in touch with the needs of Canadians and they are offering the public a chance to voice their concerns and opinions. This open dialogue will help inform and shape the CRTC’s decisions, ensuring the final outcomes align with consumer expectations and needs. 

What are the implications of various wholesale access models on competition and consumer choice? Although the CRTC has decided not to pursue a broader implementation of the disaggregated model for wholesale access to large companies’ networks, they will maintain the model in areas where it has already been approved. This decision shows that the CRTC is carefully considering the implications of wholesale access models on consumers with respect to competition and choice. 

How is Fibernetics Shaping the Future of Canadian Telecommunications? 

As a CLEC, Fibernetics is committed to playing an active role in shaping the future of the Canadian telecommunications industry. We strive to be a driving force for positive change by offering innovative and affordable services to Canadian consumers. Here’s how we’re working to address the hidden costs in the current market: 

Core Values and Purpose on wall at GI

Our core values and purpose displayed on the wall at our headquarters in Cambridge, Ontario

We’re fostering innovation: Innovation is one of our core values because we
believe it is the key to a thriving and competitive industry. We continuously invest in new technologies and services to bring the best possible experience to our customers. Since our origins, we have challenged the status quo and sought to inspire other providers to do the same. (And on that note, stay tuned… Fibernetics is about to make an announcement regarding its biggest innovation in its twenty-year history!).
 

 

We’re bridging the digital divide: Fibernetics is working to bridge the digital divide that has left many Canadians underserved by providing high-quality services to both urban and rural communities. We are committed to expanding our services to ensure that all Canadians have access to the fast, reliable internet they deserve. 

We’re advocating for fair market conditions: Fibernetics actively engaged with the CRTC and other stakeholders to advocate for fair market conditions that promote competition, choice, and affordability for Canadian consumers. By voicing our support for policies that benefit consumers, we contribute to a more dynamic and competitive industry. 

We’re delivering superior customer service: We understand that exceptional customer service is a critical differentiator in the telecommunications market. Fibernetics is committed to providing outstanding support through our wholesale services, NEWT business services, and Worldline residential services. We have a Net Promoter Score of WHAT (Compared to an average NPS of what across the Big Three) fnd our customer response time averages less than a minute. We are committed to providing ongoing outstanding support to ensure that our customers have a positive experience when interacting with our company. 

How do I make my voice heard? 

The CRTC’s latest consultation on the Internet services market is a promising development in the ongoing effort to address the hidden costs associated with the current state of the Canadian telecommunications industry. By re-examining wholesale rates and considering mandated access to fiber-to-the-home networks, the CRTC is taking crucial steps toward promoting competition, lowering prices, and increasing choice for consumers. 

Fibernetics is proud to be an active participant in this process, advocating for policies that benefit Canadian consumers and working to provide innovative, affordable, and high-quality telecommunications services. As the industry evolves, we remain committed to our mission of delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving positive change in the Canadian telecommunications landscape. 

From now until June 22, 2023, the CRTC wants to hear from Canadians and we encourage all Canadians to participate in the CRTC’s consultation. Voice your opinion on the future of this industry. Together, we can work toward a more competitive and consumer-friendly telecommunications market that benefits everyone. 
 

 

October Tech Challenge: Consider a Tech Upgrade

The holiday season is fast approaching and retailers have some of their best sales between now and the new year, making this the perfect time to think about upgrading your tech.

How do I know if I need a tech upgrade?

As a general rule of thumb, you should upgrade your smartphone or laptop every 3 years. Beyond age, other signs your tech may need replacing:

  • not being able to run updates,
  • paying a lot for technology fixes,
  • a general slowing down or sluggishness in the operating speed of your device

Also consider how often you use the device in question and how much it would improve your personal or work life if the device was upgraded.

Ok, I need to upgrade. How do I decide what to buy?

Cost: One of the first considerations: what’s your budget? Is it worth spending the money for the latest and greatest, or would a refurbished, year-old device serve you and your budget just as well?

Needs: If you have multiple devices you think need upgrading, ask which device would create the most disruption to your life if it were lost or stolen. The answer will tell you which device is the most valuable to you and is, potentially, the one that should receive an upgrade.

Laptop, watch, phone, headphones on desk. Photo by Austin Poon

Take stock of what tech you have and what needs to be replaced and then wait for the sales to start!

Manufacturer: Do you have an iPhone and wonder if you’re missing out by not having an Android? Have you always bought Dell computers but think the new MacBook looks pretty awesome? It’s always worth looking at other manufacturers, even if you’ve been loyal to the same company for years.

Take an honest assessment about what you love about your current device and what you think could be improved, and then take a look at the competition. Read reviews and research the highest praise and biggest complaints for each manufacturer or device you’re considering. And don’t forget about the warranty and support.

That being said, compatibility is another factor. Generally your life is easier if your devices can talk to each other. You can create connectivity between incompatible devices, but that takes some tech savvy and time.

So when should I buy?

Having made the decision to buy something new and knowing what you want, it can be hard to wait. Fortunately for you, three of the best sales days for purchasing tech are still to come. Between Black Friday (Friday November 26), Cyber Monday (Monday November 29), and Boxing Day sales, you’re bound to find a deal.

We’ll see you next month for another tech challenge. In the meantime, good luck and happy shopping!

 

Worldline Wireless gives Canadians affordable data options

We are beyond excited to announce the launch of our new Worldline Wireless division, designed to help you save money on data.

The days of choosing cell phone plans based on minutes and text messages are long gone – now, it’s all about the data. Apps for texting and calling dominate app stores and most apps rely on data. But data costs in Canada are some of the highest in the world. In a new study from UK Company Cable.co.uk analyzing 5,554 mobile data plans in 228 countries, Canada ranked 209th with an average price of $12.99USD for 1GB of data.

Our new product announcement comes on the heels of a ruling by the Canadian government that wholesale Internet rates set by the CRTC last August may be too low. This is disappointing for Canadians hoping for more affordable options for Internet services.

“Canadians have had to pay higher rates for cellular data than many other countries around the world. We wanted to give Canadians more affordable options for LTE data, and we’re doing that with Worldline Wireless,” says Mike Brown, our Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

4 wireless plans starting at $9.95

Worldline Wireless offers high speed LTE to keep you connected. We have options starting as low as $9.95 per month for light users, with larger plans as high as 10GB for heavier users. But these aren’t just data plans; Worldline has also released a new Mobile App, allowing users to send and receive phone calls using data.

What are the benefits of Worldline Wireless, beyond saving you money?

Worldline’s Wireless service has:

  • No contracts.
  • No penalties: you can upgrade or cancel your plan at any time.
  • No overage charges.
  • No fear of running out of data: we have affordable top-up options.

That’s the kind of risk-free flexibility and fairness we believe in.

“We’re always listening to our customers, and constantly fighting to provide better options for consumers in Canada. Worldline customers have been asking for wireless options for years, and we’re super happy to be able to launch this exciting new product,” said Mike Brown. “We hope these new options come at a great time for our valued customers, who may be facing additional challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

More information about Worldline’s new Wireless services can be found on Worldline’s website.