Canada's 'big three' nationwide mobile operators Rogers, Telus and Bell have committed to offer a broad range of lower-cost data-only packages within the next 90 days, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced yesterday. The national providers must introduce the monthly plans ranging from 250MB (CAD15 [USD11.20]) up to 1GB (CAD30) with pre-paid and post-paid options, on 3G and LTE networks. The CRTC will monitor the implementation and availability of these plans over the coming months to ensure that the commitments are honoured, having previously (March 2018) ruled that there was a gap in the wireless market for value standalone data, although it notes in its latest announcement that 'certain national wireless service providers, as well as competitors, have already introduced lower-cost data-only plans'.

The CRTC will initiate a comprehensive review of mobile services in early 2019 to examine whether further action is required to improve choice and affordability, among other issues.