A majority of Manitobans believe Internet and cell phone plan prices will rise and data caps imposed if the proposed takeover of Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) by BCE (Bell), according to a June 7 poll.
The poll, conducted by Environics for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) on behalf of the Manitoba branch of the Consumers’ Association of Canada and the Public Interest Law Centre (Manitoba), found that 53 per cent of present MTS customers thought Internet access prices would rise and 54 per cent thought cell phone plan prices would rise. A majority (51 per cent) also expected their overall communications bill to rise if Bell takes MTS over and 59 per cent disagreed that the proposed takeover would lead to faster rollout of high-speed Internet service to rural areas.
IAN GRAHAM – Thompson Citizen – June 10, 2016.