Some phone plans pricier than before Rogers-Shaw deal: watchdog

Certaincellphoneplansin Western Canada arenotascheapasthey wereprior to theRogers-Shawmerger, Canada's competition watchdog says.

Jeanne Pratt, the Competition Bureau's senior deputy commissioner of mergers and monopolistic practices, says the agency hasn't seen evidence showingRogersCommunications Inc. is offering comparable pricing for bundled wirelessplansoffered byShawMobile in Alberta and British Columbiabeforethe $26-billion takeover closed last April.

Pratt was testifying at the House of Commonsindustry committee on Monday along with representatives from the CRTC,asMPs study the accessibility and affordability of wireless and broadband services in Canada.

MPs on the committee sounded the alarm in January, whenRogersconfirmed pricesweregoing up by an average of $5 for wireless customersnoton contract andsomeBell Canada customerswerealso told their wireless billswereset to increase.

The committee has invited the chief executives ofRogers, Bell parentBCE Inc., and Telus Corp. to testify at an upcoming meeting.However, a notice of meeting this Wednesday lists other representatives of the "Big Three" carriers who are scheduled to appearaswitnesses.

NDP MP Brian Masse tabled a motion Monday to summon the three CEOs to appear if the committee'sinvitation isnotaccepted.