CRTC Gives Bell and Telus Until June 17 to Confirm Whether New Fees Comply With Rules
Canada's telecom regulator sent second warning letters to Bell and Telus after both introduced fees the CRTC says appear to violate rules that took effect Friday.
bbc.co.ukThe Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission sent second letters to Bell and Telus on Friday demanding each company confirm by June 17 whether it has stopped charging newly introduced fees that appear to violate rules implemented the same day.
The rules ban telecom companies from charging extra fees to activate, change, or cancel cellphone plans. The CRTC said the now-outlawed charges include early cancellation fees and activation fees for phone plans.
The regulations are meant to make it easier for Canadians to switch wireless and internet plans to secure better deals. Shortly before the new rules took effect, the CRTC sent stern letters to Telus and Bell warning that Telus' newly introduced $15 SIM card fee and Bell's new $40 device handling charge appeared to violate the regulations.
The CRTC first contacted Bell in May, shortly after the company introduced its $40 device handling charge.
According to Bell's website, the one-time fee covers "fulfillment costs" for customers who purchase a phone with their wireless plan. The new regulations allow telecom companies to still charge fees for optional products and services. Bell responded on June 10, arguing in a letter to the CRTC that the fee is exempt because customers don't have to buy a phone when they sign up for a new plan.
"It is a physical product that customers 'may expressly agree to purchase,'" the telecom wrote. That explanation failed to satisfy the CRTC.
Bell spokesperson Elise von Scheel told CBC News on Monday that the company is reviewing the CRTC's latest letter. Von Scheel reiterated the company's position that because buying a phone is optional, the associated fee remains exempt from the new CRTC rules.
