Rogers, Bell and Telus ask CRTC to loosen wireless consumer protections
Key points
- Rogers, Bell and Telus filed interventions with the CRTC, Canada's telecom regulator, in mid-August asking for changes to the Wireless and Internet codes.
- All three want a 60-day phone-locking rule added. Phone locking is currently banned.
- All three want device financing allowed beyond the current 24-month limit, citing rising device costs and longer device lifespans.
- Telus wants the $100 roaming cap removed entirely. Rogers wants the cap limited to pay-per-use roaming and wants the $50 roaming usage notification removed.
- Telus alone wants customers to repay the unamortized portion of gift cards, credits, discounts and other benefits if they cancel early. It also wants the Wireless Code to say "economic inducement" instead of "subsidized device".
The filings were made as part of a CRTC review aimed at harmonizing and improving the consumer protection codes for wireless and internet services. The carriers responded to the regulator’s proposed changes and added requests of their own.
The locking request follows earlier moves. The CRTC banned phone locking and unlocking fees in 2017. Bell and Telus have both argued against the ban over theft concerns and have already brought in 60-day locks despite the rules. On financing, Rogers, Bell and Telus already offer device return programs that discount monthly payments, and Bell has started offering a second 24-month term. The roaming caps were introduced to prevent bill shock from large roaming charges.
These are requests, not decisions. The CRTC has not ruled on any of them.
