Canada bans $80 activation, switching telecom fees under new consumer rules
On March 12 in Gatineau, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced it is eliminating punitive charges for activating or changing cellphone and internet plans. This regulatory update to the Telecom Act removes an average of $80 per customer that carriers previously used as a barrier when switching providers. The decision follows public consultations which revealed these fees were discouraging Canadians from seeking better deals, with experts calling this move "major win" in consumer protection measures now taking effect soon across Canada's telecom sector.
Key Points
-
1The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the federal telecom regulator, has announced new consumer protection measures eliminating fees for switching cellphones or internet services.
-
2Specifically effective as of March 12th updates to the Telecom Act will ban activation charges that carriers previously used at $80 per customer
Developments
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced it would eliminate fees for activating or changing mobile phone and internet plans on June 12 as part of updated consumer protection measures. This decision follows public consultations in which the CRTC heard from stakeholders, aiming to allow consumers more flexibility by removing barriers like activation charges that previously ranged up to $80 per plan change according to user reports online.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has eliminated extra fees associated with activating or changing internet and cellphone plans to give consumers more flexibility over their services. This decision follows public consultations on recent legislative updates, which the CRTC states will strengthen consumer protection codes by removing barriers that previously prevented Canadians from switching deals without incurring additional costs.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced new regulations that will eliminate all cancellation, change-of-plan, or activation fees for consumers. This decision follows public consultations aimed at removing barriers to switching providers in response to consumer concerns about extra costs hindering plan flexibility.
The CRTC has banned activation and switching fees for cellphone and Internet plans across Canada after public consultations argued these costs hindered competition by discouraging customers from changing deals or cancelling contracts. While exceptions exist only for reasonable physical labor like home installations, the new rules officially take effect on June 12, though carriers are expected to comply immediately while updating their billing systems.
The CRTC has eliminated extra fees for activating, changing, or canceling Internet and cellphone plans to help consumers switch services without unexpected costs. This decision is part of broader efforts under the Telecommunications Act that include reviewing consumer protection codes in future consultations.