Budget 2025: A Fresh Push for Cheaper, Fairer Telecom
A few pages into Budget 2025, the government lays out steps to spark more competition in telecom. The plan reads like a call for faster access to better service at lower prices. Here’s a clear take on what the budget promises and what it might mean for Canadians.
The budget launches a “dig once” approach to get more fiber running and to encourage sharing among existing networks. This idea aligns with ongoing work from the CRTC. Recently, Bell backed off from a tough fight and started to press Telus’s turf in Western Canada. Yet Bell remains vocal about keeping some of its own projects in reserve and less inclined to share broadly.
To coax telcos into building, the government wants to ease some rules. This includes simplifying how towers are reported to authorities. The aim is to cut red tape that slows new infrastructure or complicates upgrades. If the rules are lighter, deployment can move faster and lay down more ground for competition.
More Spectrum and Smarter Licensing
The plan calls for more spectrum and a modern take on how spectrum licenses are issued and transferred. That should help new players snag airwaves, especially smaller outfits like Freedom. But big players will still win a large swath of spectrum early on, given their scale and reach.
Improved licensing rules could speed up access to new bands. That matters because faster spectrum release lets smaller rivals launch services quicker. Still, the reality is the big three will likely keep a solid chunk of the best bands.
Making Plans Easier to Cancel
Budget 2025 repeats a rule from Budget 2024. It aims to make it easier for people to cancel their phone or internet plans. The idea is to insert a clear warning when a contract is near its end. The government also signs off on informing customers of expiration so they aren’t surprised. The exact language also touched on banning some fees, though the details weren’t nailed down in the final text.
People have waited for facts on fee bans. The budget lays groundwork, but it leaves questions open. The hope is that clearer notice and fewer sneaky charges will reduce the stress of switching providers.
Are We Truly Getting Real Help?
There are many promises in Budget 2025. For telecom watchers, the big question is whether these steps will bring real relief for Canadians. The first major move—more fiber and shared networks—could improve service if it sticks. Beyond that, the rest feels like long-term groundwork rather than quick fixes.
One notable flashpoint is Freedom, a carrier once tied to a price promise after its sale to Videotron. That promise kept prices lower for a time. When the trade deal’s terms lapse, prices could rise to align with Bell, Rogers, and Telus. If that happens, the market may lose one of its rarer acts of competition. The budget does not promise instant price drops; it sketches a path that could take years to show results.
Still, if laws and rules gradually take hold, the big players may have to operate within them. Change won’t appear overnight, and the plan offers a long arc rather than a quick fix. The true test will be how agencies enforce the new controls and how quickly prices respond.
Watching the Price Flag: Data Costs and Real Expenses
A tricky part of telecom costs is how carriers talk about data. They often highlight lower price-per-GB, but many customers keep paying about $60 to $80 a month for data. The amount of data used doesn’t always match the plan size, so people may be paying for more than they actually use.
What matters is the actual bill Canadians see each month. The budget’s approach could help reshape this by pushing for clearer offers and fairer terms. If price per gigabyte drops in a meaningful way and plans fit real use, shoppers win. The challenge is making sure those improvements reach the average household, not just headline figures.
What to Watch as Budget 2025 Takes Shape
As Budget 2025 rolls out, keep an eye on three points. First, how quickly regulators push through the new shared-network rules. Second, whether spectrum reforms favor smaller firms or simply rebuild the status quo. Third, if consumers finally see the promised changes in cancellation rules and fees.
This is a gradual shift. The government aims to lay down the rules and let the market adjust. If the approach works, Canadians could see steadier service and clearer pricing over time. If not, the fight for fairer telecom will continue in the halls of power and on the street level of consumer choice.
Source: Budget 2025
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