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None of the Big Three wireless providers offers unlimited data plans. Manitoba Telecom Services, which Bell will acquire for $3.9 billion pending federal approval, is the only provider in the country to offer unlimited data plans, starting at $86.50 per month.

The U.S. has a vastly larger market and fierce competition among its four major providers. But Internet advocacy groups, such as Vancouver-based OpenMedia, are hopeful unlimited data plans could make their way to Canada if regulators react to mounting pressure from fed up consumers.

“If they can do it down there, then we can surely do this up here,” said OpenMedia spokesman David Christopher. “I do think it will take the CRTC to step in… I don’t think the big telecoms out of the goodness of their heart are going to reveal unlimited data plans.”

OpenMedia will push for an end to data caps at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s fall public hearing on zero-rating and differential pricing, the practice of exempting certain usage from data caps. The tactic is picking up steam in Canada, with flanker brands such as Fido and Quebec’s regional carrier Vidéotron offering free music streaming with certain plans.

Critics of differential pricing say the practice favours certain content when all data should be treated equally. Proponents call it a consumer perk that bolsters competition and argue a ban on data caps amounts to retail price regulation, which the CRTC does not do.