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J.D. Power: Canadian cellular users unhappy

updated 04:20 pm EST, Thu November 8, 2007

 

Canadian cell users upset


The happiness of Canadian cellphone users is actually on the decline, a J.D. Power and Associates study concludes. Rating on a 1,000-point scale, the satisfaction of subscribers with contracts has fallen 18 points since last year, to sit at 657; overall satisfaction is down 12 points to 702. These figures are so terrible that the average Canadian would prefer to deal with car repairs, traditionally a high-stress affair, than cope with cellular companies. J.D. Power's senior director of research, Charles Schade, says that Canadians believe they are typically paying more than they would in other countries, while receiving little to nothing new.

Schade notes that although the Apple iPhone has been out in the US since June, and will tomorrow ship to Europe, Canadians have yet to hear any release plans, despite conversion for Canadian users being a relatively simple matter. Schade argues that the obstacle is likely Canada's high data rates, which sharply restrict usage: under Fido's new 3G service, for instance, a subscriber must pay $15 extra per month for streaming radio alone, while web browsing is limited to 12MB no matter how much one pays.

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association counters by saying that Canada has one of the lowest per-minute voice rates within the G7 countries, but this has done little to dissuade jealousy of the American market, where shoppers are more likely to find cheaper and/or unlimited plans. Even a BlackBerry is in fact less expensive in the US, despite its maker being a Canadian icon. [via The Vancouver Sun]


By Electronista Staff

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  1. bobolicious

    Junior Member

    Joined: Aug 2002

    0

    Forced services...

    ...is the mandate - price of admission to the latest tech - I'd buy one at the current pricing if I could get an unlocked version for my occasional cell use @ $20/month but I sure won't if Rogers forces me into a $60/mo or higher data plan - I'm guessing the numbers on limiting options to ransom maximum profits would tell the tale...


  1. JohnnyFive

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2003

    0

    get rid of access fee

    what pisses me off is that stupid $6.95 system access fee that companies impose but can't find no reasonable justification for...

    i sincerely hope the class action lawsuit to remove it pushes through, then, and maybe then, i'll like them.


  1. Raymate

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2002

    0

    rip off

    I'm moving to Toronto and I'm not looking forward at all to having a Canadian mobile phone. It's just pure rip off, the days when I just got a free new phone every year if I wanted one or not are gone.

    And paying for incoming call is just s******* canadians even more.

    So pleased I use WiFi Skype phone now and I shall continue to use it in Canada.


  1. gskibum3

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2006

    0

    Wow.

    The Canadian cell companies have somehow managed to piss off their customers even more than the U.S. carriers do. Now there's a feat to be proud of!


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