Hi all.
We continue to explore what mobile operators around the world offer in order to better understand the situation of Russian subscribers. The last couple of episodes have been a little dark because we’ve been looking at the situation in Honduras and Venezuela. However, if you look at the world positively, then Venezuelan operators can even be praised, because, despite gigantic inflation, the appalling state of infrastructure (when the entire country can sit without electricity and communications) and rampant corruption, even 5G communications are slowly appearing in the country.
I also like the approach of American and European operators to roaming (or the way governments have instructed operators to do). Thus, in the European Union there is a roaming-free space, when a subscriber from Latvia can comfortably use mobile Internet in any EU country. Former colonial powers go further. In France, the Orange operator allows you to use communications like at home in former overseas colonies. For example, in French Guinea. It’s a similar story in the Americas. Operators in Honduras offer tariffs that work “from Canada to Argentina.”
I think things like this give a certain sense of togetherness. And I would like it to be the same in the post-Soviet space. I’m not saying that there should be uniform tariffs everywhere. Rather, it is about the operator providing a travel package. For example, I came to Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan and I can safely use my Beeline tariff for calls and the Internet. Well, if I decide to stay in Kazakhstan, then Beeline will switch to a certain “general” tariff in order to thus combat the migration of subscribers.
As always, I recommend reading the previous issues of the series: France, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Kazakhstan, the leader of the OOKLA rating, Dubai, and Honduras and Venezuela, torn apart by poverty and corruption.
Well, today let’s look at how much mobile communications cost in a country considered a paradise for immigrants of all stripes and breeds, in which something went wrong. The country is suffering from a severe economic and social crisis. And recently she made it onto the news agenda by refusing publish a list Nazis who moved into the country. We are talking about SS veterans who survived the war and settled in Canada.
So, Canada is the second largest country in the world with an area of 9.98 million square kilometers. Russia is in first place with an area of more than 17.1 million square meters. km. But, like Russia, Canada has its nuances. So, only 39.7 million people live on such a huge area. By comparison, the United States, which is slightly smaller than Canada, has about 340 million people. Plus, many territories in Canada have not yet been developed.
For example, this is what the population density map of Canada looks like: All major cities and business life exist on the border with the United States. This is a 2006 map, but nothing has changed in almost 20 years. Those interested can see a map of the local Bureau of Statisticsbut she’s ugly. So Canada can become a paradise for introverts: you just go north, where there is no one but wolves, foxes and deer.
An active policy to attract migrants backfired on Canada. Real estate and apartment rental prices have increased significantly. I think you remember the story of a guy who found it cheaper to fly couples to university in Vancouver from his Calgary plane than to rent an apartment. Air tickets cost $1,200, while renting a one-room apartment would have cost him $2,100. Here and below we mean Canadian dollars.
According to statistics, the average annual income in Canada is 65 thousand Canadian dollars per year. Taxation varies depending on the province, but a Canadian worker already receives 50 thousand dollars, or 3.541 million rubles per year, or 295 thousand rubles per month.
And the median income of a Canadian burger, according to local statistical officeamounted to 37,900 Canadian dollars net per year in 2022 (no recent data) (RUB 2.684 million). By the way, I recommend looking there interesting statistics about how much graduates of local universities earn, depending on their profile, 5 years after graduation.
Also, if Canadian residents read us (and I know that sometimes they do, since I see visitor statistics), tell us what the real average salaries in the country are after taxes.
Overall, however, Canada is one of the top economies in the world, but there is a sense that the country is having a tough time. For example, in the OOKLA mobile Internet speed ranking, Canada is in 39th place with an average download speed of 79.17 Mbps. That is, it seems not bad, but, for comparison, even in Australia the speed is more than 100 Mbit/s. And Canada is only slightly ahead of Brazil. Plus, please note that the quality of communication has decreased for 2024.
Also in Canada, 5G networks are actively developing, in which all 3 largest operators (Bell, TELUS and Rogers) show high speeds.
However, I would like to remind you that the speed of mobile Internet depends on the location. In Newfoundland the speed is consistently 100+ Mbps, while in the Prince Edward Islands it is less than 60 Mbps. And in large cities where 5G is developed, speeds reach 200 Mbit/s. Or, for example, in Russia the average mobile Internet speed is 25.4 Mbit/s. But in Moscow you can get 300 Mbit/s on Megafon. The results are also influenced by the quality of the device from which the measurement is taken. OOKLA for Canada shared some interesting data showing how network speeds vary depending on the modem. In first place is the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, which is found in the iPhone 15 and 16 lines. It seems to be the same in the Galaxy S24 line. But Samsung traditionally hides the names of components.
So, before you complain about your carrier’s poor speed, make sure your device is capable of maximizing the network’s capabilities. Finally, here’s another interesting breakdown of manufacturers. In the case of Samsung, keep in mind that the manufacturer’s main sales are in the A-series. But the comparison with Google is interesting. It turns out that Apple is better at squeezing network speeds.
How much does mobile communication cost in Canada?
Let’s look at the cost of tariffs using the example of the Bell operator, which shows the best speeds and quality of coverage in the country. On the home page, the operator even says that it has a 5G+ network.
However, studying the tariffs, one cannot help but think that the country has been seized by digital SS troops who received an MBA in marketing. Thus, in terms of the median salary, the cost of communication varies from 2 to 3.1% of monthly income. Also pay attention to the attractive prices crossed out, to the countless footnotes and information boxes (letter i). Not an operator, but some kind of sharashka office. Even in Honduras, operators do not allow themselves to do this. In addition, only on the most expensive tariff the operator offers the opportunity to use communications “the same as at home in the USA and Mexico.” But this is a scam because it only gives you 10 GB!
The feeling of disgust reaches its apogee with the line about SD video streaming. The average Canadian pays 80 Canadian dollars (5,666 rubles) for a tariff, and the cellular operator (or should I say Mobilfunknetzbetreiber?!) limits video broadcasting to 480p resolution. And it offers to pay an extra $5 per month to watch in Full HD resolution. Yes, yes, you understood correctly! No mobile 4K for you! When looking at this approach to setting tariffs, it becomes obvious why Canada refused to publish a list of alleged Nazis living in the country and where they were located.
After reading the above, I don’t think Bell’s approach to roaming will surprise you. The operator offers to pay $13 per day for the opportunity to use your number in the United States and $16 per day when traveling to other countries.
However, when it seems that this is the bottom, and there is nowhere to fall lower, there may be a knock from below. It turns out that Bell also has a Connection Service Fee, which is described on the official website as follows: “Bell Mobility may charge you a one-time fee for certain transactions.” Even for recovering the voicemail password, the operator will withhold his Reichsmark from the subscriber. Well, how do you like paying 70 dollars to activate the tariff? Moreover, you will have to pay for postpaid tariffs. Online activation, judging by the site, is only available for prepaid plans. That is, in essence, the subscriber signs up for himself a tariff and must pay an additional $70. And if the account runs out of money, the operator will be fined $30.
Thinking that maybe I was exaggerating, I went to read the local forums. It turned out that in reality everything is even worse. There are a lot of complaints about the support services of all operators. Local specialists have a poor understanding of tariffs and cannot transfer a subscriber from one tariff to another and explain the cost of services. By the way, subscribers complain that in the intricacies of tariffs the devil can break his leg. At the same time, operators do not disdain cunning schemes. For example, one subscriber complained that he had been paying for several months on a tariff plan for a tablet that he did not have. This happened because in your personal account the tariff for the tablet is in another inconspicuous tab and is not reflected in the general bill.
Conclusion
However, speaking seriously, the operators are trying their best. Canada’s problem is its vast territory and small population. If the country had at least 70 million people, things would improve for operators.
Perhaps, on the positive side, we can suggest that our operators adopt a strategy of limiting video quality to 480p. On smartphones, the difference in quality is not particularly noticeable, but it will significantly reduce the load on the network. Well, those who want high quality should pay an extra penny. The system of fines for lack of funds on the balance sheet also looks interesting. However, to implement this, domestic operators need to present a united front.
Source: mobile-review.com
