TORONTO—In the high-speed Internet pricing war with Rogers Cable, Bell Canada is the first to blink. Bell is raising prices for the first time since it launched its top-end Web service. Wireless carriers are carefully monitoring the rate increases in high-speed, fixed-wired Internet services. With Bell Canada and Rogers Cable as benchmarks, wireless carriers will likely ratchet up their pricing as well.
Starting 15 November, Montreal-based Bell is boosting its rates for new subscribers for its Sympatico high-speed service by C$5 (US$3) to C$44.95 (US$28) a month. Bell said the increase is needed to meet its goal of turning Sympatico profitable before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization next year.
Toronto-based Rogers Cable, a sister company of Rogers AT&T Wireless, has not yet decided whether it will match Bell’s move in increasing prices. It is widely expected that Bell would have to backtrack on its price hike in the new year if Rogers does not follow suit.
