241 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

I imagine the CRTC will rubber stamp this, especially if GST can be collected on the credit card surcharge.

[Mike K.]

It’s the expansion of tipping mentality.

It’ll start out at 1.5%, then steadily grow. Never mind that every costing issued by Telus already had the credit card fees included. It’s not like they dip into their pockets to pay for it, it’s already covered.

[DavidSchell]

Why not give people a 1.5% discount that pay cash?

[Mike K.]

Exactly. Because it’s not about that.

[Matt R.]

Back in the day this wasn’t allowed under merchant agreements. Wonder when that changed?

[Victoria Watcher]

Back in the day this wasn’t allowed under merchant agreements. Wonder when that changed?

 

Perhaps big companies can negotiate their own terms.  So it might be allowed, for Telus, but not for your corner store.

[Mike K.]

Well, if this passes, what’s to stop every other company from doing this? Precedent is now set.

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, if this passes, what’s to stop every other company from doing this? Precedent is now set.

 

I'm not sure we need the CRTC or anyone else telling what companies can and cannot do.  If you do not like their policies use another company.

[Mike K.]

Yeah, in Canada we know it doesn’t work that way. Switch to who? rogers? They’ll be doing the same thing. Bell? They’ll do it too. They all follow.

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, regulation is how we arrived at no competition.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2022 - 07:14 AM.

[Mike K.]

Right. And Telus is asking the regulator to approve its new fee.

This would never stand in a truly free market. But Telus knows they’re paving the way for the other guys, and is so confident the CRTC will regulate this fee as acceptable, that it’s already telling its customers to get ready.

[Victoria Watcher]

In a truly free market the “regulator” would not be involved in this issue.

The regulator should mostly just be concerned with frequency spectrum. Not how a company bills customers.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2022 - 08:05 AM.

[Mike K.]

They started down this road by charging $2 to send you a bill (save the environment, they called it). Now they’re charging you to pay the bill.

In five years, are they going to charge you to see the bill?

The free market doesn’t play with these fees, generally (consumers don’t like them). Only protected duopolies or tri-opolies do.

[Mike K.]

We are going to see a monumental shake up over the next few years when Starlink starts competing with wired in-home internet services. The next step for Musk is to launch a phone service.

[spanky123]

Lots of companies charge extra for paying by credit card, they want you to pay by debit or e-payment to save money. I think it is a poor business decision but not something I would think is due to lack of competition. They could have just jacked the fees for everyone but this way people have a choice.

 

We pay a lot for cell access in Canada but then again the US does not demand that cell companies provide $10 access to the poor or provide high speed access to remote communities where no economic model exists to support it. If Starlink ever comes to Canada and the CRTC makes them play by the same rules then their charges will be the same. 

[Victoria Watcher]

 If Starlink ever comes to Canada and the CRTC makes them play by the same rules then their charges will be the same. 

 

Starlink is already here.

 

 

 

 

Starting Tuesday, Nova Scotians who live in hard-to-connect parts of Nova Scotia will be able to hook up to the Starlink satellite network and have their hardware and installation costs covered by the province.

 

The Satellite Internet Service Rebate program will be available to about 3,700 homes and businesses and provide up to $1,000 per home or business owner. StarLink says it costs $759 to buy the hardware and $140 a month to access the service. 

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...iness-1.6536012

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2022 - 03:09 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Starlink speed in Canada increased by 58 percent over the last year

 

Quebec sending letters to eligible households offering subsidized Starlink

 

Starlink’s new RV service will cost Canadians hundreds a month

 

• There's no wait if Starlink serves your community

 

Government of Canada uses Starlink to connect hundreds of rural Manitoba homes

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2022 - 03:15 PM.

[lanforod]

If you’re rural, mobile or simply don’t have access to broadband, particularly fibre, perhaps Starlink is a viable option. If you can get fibre it isn’t and wont ever be better than fibre even if Starlink was say, 25% cheaper.

[Victoria Watcher]

SpaceX and T-Mobile team up to use Starlink satellites to ‘end mobile dead zones’

 

https://www.cnbc.com...satellites.html

 

 

The idea here is that the Starlink Gen-2 satellites will be able to get regular cellphone signals from anywhere on the earth.  No more lost hikers.  Your current cellphone will communicate with a satellite 500 miles up, travelling at 17,500 miles per hour.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 August 2022 - 07:33 PM.

[Mike K.]

Lol.