Higher costs attributed to people using more wireless data, and upgrading to faster broadband Internet speeds

OTTAWA – Canadian families spent more on communications services in 2013, suggests a report by the CRTC.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says, on average, Canadian families spent $191 per month for cable, cellphone, Internet and home telephone plans.

This is up 3.2 per cent from $185 per month in 2012.

On average, household spending on cable and satellite television services climbed $1.54 to $53.56 per month; wireless cellphone services increased $1.91 to $69.33 per month and Internet services jumped $4.42 to $35.37 per month year over year.

The CRTC says the higher costs of cellphone and Internet plans can be attributed to more people using more wireless data and upgrading to higher broadband Internet speeds.

Spending on home telephone services decreased by 5.8 per cent or $2.01 to $32.85 per month compared to a year ago.

Canadians spent the most money on mobile wireless services (36 per cent), followed by home television service (28 per cent), Internet service (19 per cent), and home telephone service (17 per cent).

Overall, the regulator says the costs for telephone, television and Internet services went up between 1.6 per cent and 3.7 per cent last year, higher than the rate of inflation of 0.9 per cent.

Last year, the Canadian broadcast and telecommunications industry had revenues of $61.9 billion, a 1.9 per cent increase from $60.8 billion in 2012.