New CTRC cellphone contract rules today

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Sep 6, 2008
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New CTRC cellphone contract rules today



New CRTC regulations for mobile phone carriers kicked in on Wednesday, allowing Canadians who signed three-year wireless contracts to break them without incurring large penalties -- or any at all.

Until now, the terms of the CRTC’s wireless code only applied to new contracts signed after the rules came into effect in December, 2013. As of June 3, they now apply to all wireless service agreements. Here’s what that could mean for you:

No cancellation fees after 2 years

If you signed a three-year cellphone contract before June, 2013, you can now break it without paying any penalty fees.

If your contract is not yet two years old, you can still walk away and pay what the CRTC is calling a “reasonable” fee. The penalties will vary, but the CRTC is limiting how much wireless providers can charge.

You can get an estimate of your cancellation fees on the CRTC’s website.

More opportunities to save money

Josh Tabish of the OpenMedia consumer advocacy group told The Canadian Press that cellphone providers are now offering discounted services and cheaper introductory plans to prevent customers from switching to another carrier now that they’re no longer tied to three-year contracts.

Other customer-friendly changes

The wireless code also includes other measures, such as a cap on monthly roaming charges to prevent “bill shock.”
There is now a trial period that allows customers to return their cellphones within 15 days, without penalty, if they aren’t happy with the service.

Canadians can also get their cellphones unlocked after 90 days, or immediately if they paid for the device in full.

The CRTC also stipulates that wireless contracts must be written in plain language and easy for customers to understand.

source: New cellphone contract rules: What you need to know | CTV News

Cell Phone Freedom Day Canadians: Next step... open up the market to more competition. The big 3 have been living high off the hog for too long now.