This week the CRTC announced that it was OK for phone companies to charge 50 cents for payphone calls, up to $1 if you use any “non-cash” methods of payment, i.e. phone card. They also announced the CRTC will allow established phone companies to charge more for local phone service, and whatever they want for call display, etc., in rural areas. As an adamant non-cellphone user, I think this move stinks of classism and a blantant disregard for those who can’t afford the chocolate Rasr. I’m also not too happy to sink more of my quarters into stinky, gummed-up Aliant phones, unless they actually use that extra money to clean ’em up and put more on the street.
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 2, 2007.