Ur Gonna B Raped

In Canada, we expect to be scammed. In fact, I think it's in the fine print of our Constitution somewhere. Governments, private companies, it makes no difference. Bend over and enjoy.

But the latest announcement from two of our leading (?) telecommunications companies raises the buggery to a whole new level. Bell and Telus announced yesterday that henceforth that unless their subscribers opt for a "package"--no word on how much that'll run you--they'll be charged 15 cents for each incoming text message. (Hmm, two companies announce the same new rate on the same day...can you say collusion, boys and girls? I knew you could!)

Now, normally I wouldn't give a fiddler's fart about this sort of thing: I'm still landline-locked, and will remain so until I have no choice. My wife's had a cell phone for about a year and has received--she thinks--all of one text message. I'm still of the opinion that text messaging is silly and redundant. (If whoever you're calling can't talk right now, you can, oh, I don't know, leave a message...) When Bell starts charging for each website visited, that will hit me where I live. Until then...

No, damnit, this is criminal. How I feel about text messaging is irrelevant: literally millions of Canadians text every day. We sent over twelve billion messages last year. Now, sure, most of these people have or will opt for "the package", but a fair chunk won't, and as far as I'm concerned they shouldn't be punished for being occasional users. Besides, Telus actually sends its customers unsolicited text messages for marketing purposes. And now they've found a way to make you pay for their advertising. Nice.

We're gouged unto death in this country, especially when it comes to media. I pay more than twice what my friend in San Diego does per month for internet, phone and television...and he's got a better phone plan, a faster 'Net connection, and many cable channels some minder at the CRTC has decided I'm not allowed to watch.

Mark my words: this is only the beginning. Next they'll find some way to ding you per television hour watched, per website visited, per email received....it'll never end unless we end it.

It's been proven time and time again: in the absence of vigorous competition, companies will charge what the market will bear. And Canadians are a bearing lot: we bitch, but that's all we ever do.

As far as I'm concerned, we should open up our market to the American telcos. We're already bombarded with the culture: we might as well pay less for it.