Connectivity, wireless plan prices top agenda

While numbers show drop in service costs, minister fears savings are not being felt yet

- SAMMY HUDES

The federal industry minister says despite data showing that the cost of telecommunications services has declined in Canada, many Canadians still do not feel the effect.

Speaking Monday at the 23rd annual Canadian Telecom Summit in downtown Toronto, Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he wants to make sure Canadians are aware of improved offers on the market as their cellphone and internet consumption increases.

"Our challenge is for Canadians to feel it," he said during a panel discussion led by Canadian Telecommunications Association president Robert Ghiz.

"Sometimes my challenge is that the data says something, but people would say, 'Well, what about me?'"

Ghiz highlighted Statistics Canada data showing cellphone plan prices have come down around 50 per cent in Canada over the past five years, including 26 per cent over the past year.

"I know a politician and a government will never declare mission accomplished," said Ghiz, whose association represents carriers and manufacturers in the industry.

"But will you at least take a little credit, and perhaps (give) a little to the industry?"

Champagne said he was happy about the numbers, which capture the latest plan offers on the market, but acknowledged they don't reflect the prices paid by those still on legacy cellphone and internet plans.

"The prices of cellphone and internet is a staple in the budget of most Canadian families and it's a big-ticket item, so people are rightfully not just in Canada, I would say in different parts of the world-concerned," said the minister.