Telus hikes rates for high-speed internet
Increases to take effect July 1, says website notice
Telus is raising rates for its high-speed internet service, citing the high cost of upgrading networks and services across Canada.
Starting July 1, the monthly rate for high-speed internet will increase by $5 a month.
The increases were posted on Telus' website June 1, 2016. In a written statement sent to CBC, Telus said phone and TV rates aren't affected.
"This moderate increase applies only to high-speed Internet service," the statement said. "It reflects the increasing cost of providing the service,and will help Telus to continue investing billions of dollars every year to stay ahead of increasing demand for capacity."
The statement said customers will be informed of the rate increases on their bills. Monthly internet bills range from $30 to $88 a month.
The Telus rate hike coincide with increases at Shaw, which is hiking monthly fees for residential TV, internet and phone plans.
Shaw also disclosed its rate increases on its website, but did not specify the amounts. The Shaw increases will take effect August 1.
However, a customer service representative told a CBC employee — who is a Shaw customer — the increases will vary from package to package, from roughly $1 a month for residential phone lines to $5 for some TV packages.