This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
New wireless Code of Conduct reduces and caps some fees but doesn't address the issue that Canada still pays some of the highest fees for celluar and data services in the world.
Ottawa (04 June 2013) – After consultations in 2012, which included hearing from thousands of unhappy Canadians feeling gouged by wireless companies, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released a new mandatory Code of Conduct to govern wireless service providers in Canada.
New wireless code provides some relief for new customers
The CRTC believes it has addressed the major concerns received from Canadians regarding their mobile contracts with the implementation of these changes. Customers will now:
- terminate wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees, even if they have signed on for a longer term
- have their cellphones unlcoked after 90 days, or immediately if they paid for the device in full
- have charges capped for extra data charges at $50 per month and international data roaming charges at $100 per month to prevent bill shock
- return cellphones, within 15 days and specific usage limits, if they are unhappy with their service
- accept or decline changes to the key terms of a fixed-term contract (i.e., 2-year), and
- receive a contract that is easy to read and understand.
But these changes will only affect customers entering into or amending contracts after the Code is implemented on December 2, 2013.
Not all may be positive for consumers: costs still high, conditions remain
And while initial reports were positive about the relief consumers may face with these changes, many are now speculating that the big three cellular companies will simply download the costs to consumers negating any savings found through this process.
"This code provides small improvements for Canadians," says James Clancy, National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), "but our over-riding concerns remain: Canadians are still paying far more for services, in comparison to the global market, and are still bound to the major telecom companies through unnecessary conditions and fees.
"The government, nor the CRTC is taking seriously the financial burden placed on families who use mobile devices to work and communicate with their families. While this code provides some savings for families, it's still not enough."
Enforcement of code is key
The CRTC determined that the current Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) will administer the Code of Conduct. It has been given the authority to resolve complaints, monitor trend in complaints, and report on both in its annual report. Wireless service providers are mandated to disclose the actions taken to adhere to the new Code by January 15, 2014.
More informaton:
Smart Money: The real cost of communicating
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE