Students looking into getting a slick new phone this year may be shocked at the pricing of new service plans.
The three major telecom providers and their subsidiaries recently raised the subscription rate for new cellular contracts by around $5 a month.
“You really need a phone now. A few years ago when I didn’t have one, it wasn’t such a big deal but now everyone just expects [you to have one.]” said Nelson Augustine, a student at St. Thomas University.
Telus said in a press release the price increase is due to a weak Canadian dollar, as well as the growing cost of expanding and maintaining infrastructure.
“This will affect everyone,” said Tyler Lifford, a third-year St. Thomas student. “But it’s really going to hurt low income families [the most].”
Additionally, many wireless carriers have eliminated or reduced their discount for those customers who purchased their phone outright, either from a carrier or an online retailer, instead of subsidising it with a two-year contract.
Augustine said he’s been hesitant to buy into a service plan, citing high prices, but feels as though his ability to connect with peers may have suffered for it.
“People ask for my number and I say I don’t have a phone, so they say something like ‘I’ll message you through Facebook’ – [I] never get that message. It’s really irritating.”
The demand for cellular access is higher than ever, and this is especially important for university students with busy schedules.
Other telecommunications services are slated to rise as well, with Rogers raising their home phone and internet services by $2 and $3 a month respectively.
“The internet is, I believe, a fundamental right, and overcharging for it is unfair,” said Lifford, adding that he doesn’t agree with the high rates Canadian ISPs charge.
