Some Bell and TekSavvy customers say they were shocked to learn they’re facing a price hike in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bell says the increases were set in motion before the pandemic hit. TekSavvy says it had no choice due to court battles that involve Bell and the other big telcos.
While no one ever likes a price hike on their telecom bill, some Bell and TekSavvy customers are shocked to be facing one now — in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Internet provider TekSavvy says it had no choice but to raise rates due to ongoing court challenges that involve the big telcos, while Bell says it put its price-hike plans in motion before the outbreak.
But that provides little solace for Bell customer Kelsey Shaffer, a motel owner in Kakabeka Falls, Ont., who noticed a price increase on her March 25 phone bill with Virgin Mobile, a brand owned by Bell. The combined cost of two phone plans for her family had increased by 10 per cent to $110 a month.
“I was angry and upset,” she said. “Just the fact that it’s happening right now — when nobody has money and a bunch of people are out of work — is an extra slap in the face.”
While the motel remains open during the pandemic, Shaffer estimates business has declined by 75 per cent since mid-March, as most people have stopped travelling.
“Every penny counts right now,” she said. “It’s really, really bad optics for [Bell].”
When asked by CBC News for comment and additional details about the increases, Bell spokesperson Nathan Gibson said they affect “a portion of internet and wireless customers” and took effect on March 1.
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11. Provinces didn’t start ordering businesses to close and Canadians to stay home until later that month.
Gibson said customers were warned about the coming price hikes back in December or January.
just received my @bell bill and they have CONVENIENTLY raised the internet price by $5 ! haven’t had an increase in my LOCKED in contract in a year and a half and they decide NOW is a good time to do that ? while everyone is clearly using their internet. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
very poor taste to receive an unexpected @Bell Fibe Internet price increase this mont