Northwestern Ontario internet service leaves resident frustrated

A resident in northwestern Ontario is asking internet customers in the region to "make some noise" about the digital divide in rural areas.

Ted Comba, a resident of Kakabeka Falls, a rural community west of Thunder Bay, said living there has forced him to pay a high premium for internet service.

It's easy enough to say internet is a choice. It's not like that anymore. It's a necessity.- Ted Comba, resident of Kakabeka Falls

His only option for internet is through Bell Mobility, Comba said. With data usage, taxes and fees, his monthly bill typically runs up to $160, Comba said.

His current plan offers up to five gigabytes of data for $60, but Comba said urban customers can get the same package for only $35. Also, when customers exceed the five-gigabyte cap, they will be automatically bumped up to the $75 plan.

Recently, he learned from a Bell store representative that the carrier was offering a cheaper plan that includes more data, but he later found out that his community didn't qualify.

"The part that is really frustrating is working class people are being taken advantage of and if you lay down and take it, they're going to keep taking advantage of you," he told CBC Thunder Bay.

Kakabeka Falls not part of CRTC initiative

The alternative plan that Comba was quoted is available in 112 communities as part of the CRTC-mandated initiative to provide high-speed internet service where no alternative exists, a spokesperson with Bell said. Kakabeka Falls, however, is not one of the communities.

The spokesperson said Bell will also get in touch with Comba personally to explain the initiative.

The exchange with Bell representatives, however, has left Comba frustrated after being on the phone for three hours, he said.

"You can never seem to get anybody who has any of the information that you're looking for or can produce or any answers you're looking for," he said. "You're always referred to this person or to this department."

Comba said he feels that rural customers are being taken advantage of, and the only option for them is to either move to the city or pay up.

"It's easy enough to say internet is a choice. It's not like that anymore. It's a necessity," he said. "My advice to internet customers is to make some noise."