Federal budget offers measures to cut telecom costs, citing lack of competition

OTTAWA — The federal government says it plans to take measures aimed at increasing competition in Canada's telecommunications sector and lowering consumers' cellphone and internet costs.

Ottawa outlined parts of that strategy on Tuesday in the federal budget, which noted that a "lack of competition has led to far too high prices for Canadians."

"Canadians are paying some of the highest phone and internet bills around the world," said Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne in a news conference with reporters on Tuesday.

"Our budget will increase competition in the telecommunications sector and give Canadians more options and lower their costs."

The federal government said it will release additional wireless spectrum — the electromagnetic frequencies that enable smartphone communic