Cellphone Bills Drop Less Than Advertised Despite Data Hikes, Spending Metrics Show

Statscan reports large drops in cellphone prices, but actual consumer spending data paints a more complex picture.

Index tracks advertised promo rates on plans but doesn't capture activation fees, actual consumer spending.

Carriers offering more data for similar prices - Statscan sees this as effective price cut.

Financial metrics like ARPU (average revenue per user) show little change over 2 years.

Competitive landscape shifting - easier for consumers to find cheaper plans or negotiate better deals.