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Canada has the same problem. I don’t have definitive data, but the promo pricing for internet plans has seemed pretty weak since COVID hit. We call our ISP ev

Canada has the same problem. I don’t have definitive data, but the promo pricing for internet plans has seemed pretty weak since COVID hit. We call our ISP every (fucking) year to ask them to give us the current promo pricing for the next year and this year everything is a solid $20-$40 per month higher than it’s been in the last 3-4 years. They’re totally price gouging IMO.

MattGaiser 6y ago
Canadians are unwilling to price shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlRPLBLkZK0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlRPLBLkZK0
- michael1999 6y ago
  I used to suggest joining a credit union to people who complained about bank fees, and the first response would be that there were fewer ATMs and the branches were farther away. Canadians want premium service for free, and will do exactly nothing besides complain to get it.
  - 908B64B197 6y ago
    Banking is another sector where they seem to make it hard for no reasons for international players to bring competition in the market place.
    - michael1999 6y ago
      Banking, insurance, and telecom are all protected from foreign competition. It makes them fat and often lazy, but I’d hardly say there is no reason. Universal service mandates, tax administration, prudence regulation, and criminal justice are all compelling interests in those businesses. The government meddles because the people complain when they don’t.
908B64B197 6y ago
They are pretty hostile to international players setting shops. In such a non-competitive environment, it's no wonder rent seeking is the norm. Edit: I see the downvotes but no explanations.
- wstrange 6y ago
  The explanation is largely the same as in the US: It's very expensive to run cable / fibre to the house. It's a natural monopoly. Having a US incumbent enter the Canadian market isn't going to change that.
  - 908B64B197 6y ago
    I could see why lobbyists would push that narrative, but deregulation and an open market worked extremely well in Europe.
    - tpxl 6y ago
      In my country regulation is what works extremely well, and where there is none, you get price gouging. The government funds the majority of new lines, and in turn, the companies are legally mandated to rent the lines out for a small fee (100/20 lines cost about 30€).

MattGaiser 6y ago

Canadians are unwilling to price shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlRPLBLkZK0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlRPLBLkZK0

michael1999 6y ago
I used to suggest joining a credit union to people who complained about bank fees, and the first response would be that there were fewer ATMs and the branches were farther away. Canadians want premium service for free, and will do exactly nothing besides complain to get it.
- 908B64B197 6y ago
  Banking is another sector where they seem to make it hard for no reasons for international players to bring competition in the market place.
  - michael1999 6y ago
    Banking, insurance, and telecom are all protected from foreign competition. It makes them fat and often lazy, but I’d hardly say there is no reason. Universal service mandates, tax administration, prudence regulation, and criminal justice are all compelling interests in those businesses. The government meddles because the people complain when they don’t.

908B64B197 6y ago

They are pretty hostile to international players setting shops. In such a non-competitive environment, it's no wonder rent seeking is the norm. Edit: I see the downvotes but no explanations.

wstrange 6y ago
The explanation is largely the same as in the US: It's very expensive to run cable / fibre to the house. It's a natural monopoly. Having a US incumbent enter the Canadian market isn't going to change that.
- 908B64B197 6y ago
  I could see why lobbyists would push that narrative, but deregulation and an open market worked extremely well in Europe.
  - tpxl 6y ago
    In my country regulation is what works extremely well, and where there is none, you get price gouging. The government funds the majority of new lines, and in turn, the companies are legally mandated to rent the lines out for a small fee (100/20 lines cost about 30€).