Competition Bureau sues Rogers for misleading ads

The Bureau alleges that Rogers falsely promoted unlimited data for mobile plans that actually do have data limits.

The Competition Bureau is taking legal action against Rogers Communications for allegedly falsely advertising its Infinite wireless phone data plans. As a result of its own investigation, the Bureau filed an application last month with the Competition Tribunal asking that Rogers stop the alleged misleading advertising, pay a penalty, and issue restitution to Infinite wireless phone plan customers.

The Bureau claims that the ads give the false or misleading impression that the plans provide consumers with limitless data. The plans actually do have data caps, and once reached, there are significant reductions in data speed, known as throttling, by over 99%.

In response to the litigation, Rogers Communications issued this statement: “We introduced unlimited data plans in 2019 to deliver great value to our customers. These plans helped eliminate overage fees and gave customers bill certainty at a time when data use started growing exponentially. These plans are commonplace in the industry and reflected a significant and positive development for consumers and small businesses.

“The advertising of our Infinite plans is clear and truthful, and we will fight this litigation. These plans represent the norm in Canada and the Bureau’s decision to single out Rogers after five years is quite concerning.”

There is no hearing date or conclusion of wrongdoing at this time.

In 2016, a similar action was brought against Comwave Networks for deceptively advertising its internet and home phone services as unlimited, when in fact there were monthly caps on usage. The Bureau concluded that additional fees and limitations for internet and home phone services were misleading and not adequately disclosed. It resulted in Comwave paying an administrative penalty of $300,000, plus $60,000 towards the costs of the investigation.