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- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Rogers Ordered to Pay $15 Million Penalty
Rogers Communications has been ordered to pay a $15-million penalty following a decision by the Competition Tribunal regarding the company's advertising of its 'Infinite' wireless phone plan. The order comes after allegations from Canada's Competition Bureau that the telecom giant engaged in deceptive marketing practices.
Competition Bureau Canada: Deceptive Marketing Allegations
In its statement released Wednesday, the Competition Bureau claimed that Rogers advertised its Infinite wireless plans as offering unlimited data, despite the fact that users would experience a significant data speed reduction once a set data amount was reached. The watchdog argued that this marketing led consumers to believe they would receive unlimited high-speed data, when in fact, a notable slowdown would occur after the usage threshold.
Legal Action and Tribunal Decision
The legal proceedings began in December 2024 when the Competition Bureau announced its intention to take action by filing an application with the Competition Tribunal. The bureau contended that Rogers's advertising constituted false or misleading representations about the nature of its wireless phone plans, namely regarding unlimited data claims and actual data speed reduction.
On Wednesday, Jeanne Pratt, interim commissioner of competition, announced that the tribunal had reached a decision, imposing the $15-million penalty on Rogers in connection with how its Infinite plans were marketed. The bureau intends to publish its full case supporting the tribunal’s order within 10 business days.
Additional Requirements for Rogers
Beyond the financial penalty, the Competition Tribunal ordered Rogers to pay the bureau’s legal costs and to publish a corrective notice addressing its marketing of the Infinite plans. These measures aim to ensure that consumers receive accurate and truthful information when selecting wireless phone plans.
According to the bureau, “misleading advertising can distort consumer choice, erode confidence in the marketplace and disadvantage businesses that compete fairly.” The Competition Bureau’s action highlights the role of federal agencies and consumer protection regulations in upholding telecom marketing standards in Canada.
Recent Rogers Financial and Policy Developments
Last week, Rogers Communications, based in Toronto, reported sales of $5.44 billion for the quarter ending September 30, reflecting a 2 per cent annual increase. Meanwhile, the company recently announced a new 1.6 per cent ‘processing charge’ starting January 17, 2027, for both auto-pay and one-time credit card payments. The fee will apply every time a Rogers bill is paid using a credit card, according to the company's website.
Response and Next Steps
CBC News has contacted Rogers Communications for comment regarding the tribunal’s decision and the penalty imposed. As of publication time, no response had been received. The full rationale behind the Competition Tribunal’s order is expected to be released by the Competition Bureau within the coming days.
Source: cbc.ca.
