Videotron suspends international calls charges after Beirut explosion

Lebanese citizens living in Canada will not have to worry about long-distance call charges. On August 6, 2020, Videotron, a Canadian communications company announced in a press release that it has suspended charges for calls from Canada to Lebanon until August 23, 2020. This move came to allow Videotron customers to reach out to their friends and family after the Beirut port explosion.

Videotron states that a long-distance call in Canada is free and unlimited. However, the company has several international calling plans. For calls to the Middle East including Lebanon, a Canadian Customer will pay $1.64/ minute for calls to a mobile phone, and $1.62/ minute for a call to a landline, according to Videotron website. On the other hand, the overseas long-distance calls scheme costs $5 per month. Under this option, a customer can make up to 10 minutes of calls to the Middle East.

Customers do not need to contact the company to make a free call to Lebanon. Videotron international charges to Lebanon are automatically canceled for all residential, business, and mobile accounts.

In 2019, Videotron’s total revenue was over 3.47 billion Canadian dollars. The company has already provided free services for its customers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, data caps on Videotron residential and business plans were suspended between March 13 until June 30, 2020. Furthermore Videotron suspended charges for the Daily Traveler Pass and canceled roaming charges for travelers outside Canada to help its customers until they were able to return home, according to the company’s website.

Canada has been home to many Lebanese people who decided to immigrate to secure jobs, healthcare, and a future for their children. Many Lebanese students are living in Canada to pursue their university studies. Videotron’s decision is crucial for Lebanese Canadians who are worried about their relatives after the Beirut blast that happened on August 4, 2020.