The deregulation of Canada's telecommunications industry has not resulted in lower prices and more choice when it comes to mobile phone, internet, and television services, according to a consumer advocacy group.

"In most services, we lag international models in relation to price and choice," Michael Janigan of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre said Wednesday.

Janigan described deregulation as a "frustrated" success -- the industry's restructuring has allowed for more competition but the Canadian market is still dominated by the Big Three (Rogers, Bell, and Telus) and customers are generally paying more than their U.S. and U.K. counterparts.

The wireless market in particular seems to "be the cash cow of the industry," he said.

Janigan's report says the average monthly cellphone cost in Canada, including voice, text and data, is $67.50, compared with $59.99 in the United States and $32.40 in the United Kingdom.

Telus spokesman Shawn Hall called the report "self-serving mythology."

Competition has reduced prices, Hall said. Telus's broadband internet service starts at $22 a month, about half the price of what dial-up service cost 10 years ago. Wireless can start at $20 a month.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a non-profit organization, doesn't goes as far as recommending more regulations for the telecom industry.

"We're not saying everything has to be regulated in order to get the best price," said Janigan, its executive director and general counsel.

However, establishing fines and a licensing system for all carriers with enforceable codes of conduct would be beneficial.

With files from The Canadian Press

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