Freedom Mobile will offer a $50 monthly plan that includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 40 gigabytes of data usable throughout Canada and the U.S. following its acquisition by Quebecor Inc.害羞草研究所檚 Videotron.
The $2.85 billion acquisition was prompted by Rogers Communications Inc.害羞草研究所檚 takeover of Shaw Communications Inc., which agreed last year to sell Freedom Mobile in an attempt to ease competition concerns as a requirement for the merger.
As part of conditions laid out by Industry Minister Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne in March, Videotron must offer plans that are at least 20 per cent lower than its competitors害羞草研究所� and spend $150 million over the next two years to upgrade Freedom Mobile害羞草研究所檚 network.
The company said that work is underway, with teams dedicated to upgrading the wireless network to support the upcoming implementation of 5G technology and seamless roaming.
But the newly announced plan, which marks Freedom害羞草研究所檚 first offering with national coverage, 害羞草研究所済oes well beyond any of the expectations that were set by Ottawa,害羞草研究所� telecommunications consultant Mark Goldberg said.
害羞草研究所淭his isn害羞草研究所檛 just 20 per cent. It害羞草研究所檚 a unique package,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭his is a statement by Freedom that they害羞草研究所檙e going to be establishing themselves in the marketplace.害羞草研究所�
While he said it害羞草研究所檚 not the first time a Canadian carrier has offered transborder roaming, 害羞草研究所渋t害羞草研究所檚 certainly the lowest price I害羞草研究所檝e seen for it and it害羞草研究所檚 showing some aggressive price competition.害羞草研究所�
Earlier this year, Champagne said his approval of the Rogers-Shaw merger would establish Freedom Mobile as a strong fourth national carrier, which would also encourage competition and lower prices in the marketplace.
Goldberg expects Freedom, along with Rogers, Bell Canada and Telus Corp. to meet that expectation by offering further incentives to customers.
Freedom said it has also introduced enhancements to its services that go beyond Quebecor害羞草研究所檚 commitments at the time of the transaction, such as a price freeze guarantee, which applies to all current and future customers for as long as they keep their plans.
Earlier this month, Rogers reduced the price per gigabyte of data by 50 per cent on its most popular plan, allowing customers to access 50 gigabytes of data for $85 per month. It also announced new bundled options for Rogers and Shaw customers in B.C., Alberta and other provinces.
Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press
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