The CRTC has announced it is now taking submissions from Canadians to help develop a mobile code when it comes to wireless terms and conditions (an issue that was previously brought up in April, which the ‘Big 3’ carriers supported):
“Our goal is to make sure that Canadians have the tools they need to make informed choices in a competitive marketplace,” said Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC. “In the past, Canadians have told us that contracts are confusing, and that terms and conditions can vary greatly from one company to another. We are asking them to assist us in developing a code that will help them better understand their rights as consumers and the responsibilities of wireless companies.”
Canadians are therefore invited to share their views on:
- The terms and conditions that should be addressed by a code for cellphones and mobile devices
- to whom the code should apply
- how the code should be enforced, and
- how the code’s effectiveness should be assessed.
If you want give your input on the views listed above–fill out the online form here, as seen below. The deadline for submissions is November 20th, 2012.
The CRTC has stepped up their pressure recently on our wireless carriers to create a registry to track stolen smartphones due to ‘iCrime’, or they would impose it via legislation.
What do you think should standards in the development of a new national wireless code?
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Could I submit a comment that the max contract length should be 2 years because that’s what it is in the US and lots of Europe?
Sure why not?
Cool I assumed so I want other people to see it and do the same. This is BS that we have 3 years and almost everywhere else has 2. -.-
SUBMIT A COMMENT THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO CONTRACT. OR THAT YOU CAN GET OUT OF A CONTRACT BY PAYING THE REMAINING BALANCE ON YOUR TAB OR PHONE.. SIMPLE!
That’s what Rogers does now. Bought my iPhone 5 32gb for $279.99, although I’m carrying a phone balance of $575.00. Every month $13 dollars goes towards that balance.
I’m sure there are built in surprises like hidden fees and fine print that will make you pay up your you know what.. That’s just the big 3 for you… you’ll see..
That’s what TELUS does…
I guess I should also summit a comment on Hong Kong plans; which are mostly prepaid and pay as you go type. Super low cost with everything you want; I went back for 4 months, and I was on a plan with unlimited HK calling, caller ID, v.mail, unlimited SMS and MMS, and unlimited data for $200HKD (works to about $25/month).
Could you imagine having that plan for your iPhone? for Canada?
I personally think that because of the mass population in those countries is one of the major reasons why wireless rates are so low.
I PERSONALY THINK THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DEFFEND THE CANADIAN TELEPHONE COMPANIES FOR ONE SECOND. YOU KNOW WHY?????? BECAUSE THE HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFIT MARGINS IN THE WORLD!!!! THAT BASICALLY MAKES YOUR COMMENT WORTHLESS.
i dont think anyone ever defended canadian wireless companies, namely ‘the big 3’.
“I personally think that because of the mass population in those countries is one of the major reasons why wireless rates are so low.”
HE’S SAYING THE BIG 3 ARE JUSTIFIED IN CHARGING HIGHER RATES BECAUSE OF THE LARGE LAND MASS IN CANADA AND SMALLER POPULATION.. BUT THAT DOESN’T EXPLAIN THAT THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFIT MARGINS IN THE WORLD.. THE FACT THAT THEY HOLD A MONOPOLY ON THE MARKET DOES.. IT IS UN JUST AND NO ONE SHOULD DEFFEND THEM FOR THAT.. I CAN NAME A 1000 OTHER WAYS THEY F@#% THE CANADIAN CONSUMER.. DON’T GET ME STARTED.
If they plan was specific to HK only then we do have similar type plans here that only offer service in a limited urban area.
Except that your limited urban plans are crap and in the end the consumer ends up paying up their a@@ anyway.. Thank you JDxxx and whoever you work for… Thanks a lot
I’d be happy, even excited if CRTC weren’t on big 3’s payroll. In the past, CRTC has shown, they side with the big 3, when consumer related issues arise: CRTC sided with the big 3 when the subject of pay per use plans came up, and almost succeeded. If Canadian people didn’t apply pressure, and the Canadian government didn’t intervene, we would pay much more for our cellular use. When Rogers faced a legal battle and lost (they were charging a $7 “government fee” 4 years after the Canadian government stopped charging people!!!), CRTC took the stand against angry subscribers, knowing they were right. Now, I can’t help but think, they’re planning something to raise prices somehow.
I am always hard-pressed to find a difference between the CRTC’s practices and communism.
MARK: F&#@$ OFF.. I AM HARD PRESSED TO FIND A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BIG 3 AND A MONOPOLY… WHICH IS EVEN WORSE.
Ok i’ll stop yelling ‘I’m hard pressed to find a reason not to have the CRTC give us all the illusion that the Big 3 are being kept in check
Becareful what you ask for… Shorter contracts means phones cost more or plans cost more. 2 year terms are available in uk and USA based on their higher populations.
That is the most sensible comment anyone here has even said. Smaller populations = higher cost.
DOES SMALLER POPULATION = HIGHEST PROFIT IN THE WORLD?????? THAT’S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.. THE BOTTOM LINE.. SO IT IS CLEAR THAT CANADA HAS A MONOPOLY/OLIGOPOLY IN PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO TELEPHONE COMPANYSS. THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFIT IN THE WORLD.. FORGET ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION.. THIS FACT TAKES THAT INTO ACCOUNT..
yet 2 year contracts exist in countries with populations 6X lower than the canadian population (say: finland) and their phone costs and plans cost less than ours…
but think about how big an area we have in canada vs. (say: finland) they are not comparable.
true we certainly have much, much larger grounds to cover, but to simply state its because of our population in and of itself not telling the whole story, as you pointed out…
one way to remedy this, allow foreign telcos…
b00m
WHO CARES ABOUT THE AREA???? IF THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFIT. IT MEANS THAT INSTALLING ALL THOSE TOWERS ALL OVER CANADA PAID FOR ITSELF AND THEN SOME.. BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST PROFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOEVER ARGUES ABOUT HOW BIG CANADA IS AND HOW THAT’S MAKING OUR BILLS HIGHER IS DOESNT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BOTTOM LINE.. THE PROFIT.. SO OPEN YOUR EYES.. YOU ARE GETTING IT IN THE A!#@ DON’T TRY TO DENY IT
…
again thanks haha
crosseyed: Thank you
DAVID STATEMENT ONE IS NOT TRUE.. LONGER CONTRACTS HURT THE CONSUMER IN THE LONG RUN BECAUSE IT COSTS MORE FOR THE CONSUMER.. THEY GET BENT OVER AND F!@# IN THE A@! BY THESE GUYS. NO TERM CONTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY COUNTRIES AND IT WORKS BETTER FOR THE CONSUMER. DAVID DO YOU WORK FOR THE TELEPHONE COS? I THINK YOU DO SO F@#e$ YOU
you know what else is available in other countries?
benzodiazepines
Haha
Yeah i think i’ll need some benzodiazephines i’ve been f@%# by the big 3 so much that it’s driving me crazy… true story
mandatory unlocks on request, monthly contracts with smartphones, and legalize marijuana
Here’s a novel idea: establish a FIXED COST for data – regardless of device, plan, or network!
1GB on my iPHone should NOT cost more than 1GB on a blackberry on the same network – the data is the same regardless of whether I’m using my PC, a tablet, Android or iOS!