GATINEAU, Que. -- Lengthy, iron-clad contracts, locked handsets and high roaming fees should be things of the past as the national telecom regulator drafts a new wireless code, the CRTC heard Monday.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission has begun a week of public hearings in Gatineau, Que., on its proposed wireless code, which is aiming for a set of national standards for the content and clarity of cellphone contracts.
Representatives of three consumer groups told the five-member CRTC panel any revisions to the wireless code should address what they see as significant problems.
"Consumers are sick of termination penalties designed to keep them locked into long-term contracts," said John Lawford of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
"Consumers are tired of locked handsets. Consumers are often in shock after opening a bill where roaming charges or coverage fees have been applied."
Indeed, the CRTC says it heard a lot of angry comments about three-year contracts offered by wireless carriers when it was putting together a draft version of the national code for wireless services.
So far, the commission hasn't taken up the idea of banning such contracts and has instead dealt with such issues as early termination fees, allowing the consumer to cancel service at any time.
On the CRTC's online forum about the draft wireless code, participants also complained about locked cellphones and roaming fees.
The draft code says the carrier must provide the consumer with the means to unlock the device after no more than 30 days of service, at the rate specified in the contract.
And the CRTC says in the proposed code that consumers can set a cap on additional fees, which would including text messaging, data and roaming charges, for example.
The federal Competition Bureau said it supports measures to limit contract length.
The CRTC is also scheduled to hear from wireless service providers Telus, Bell Canada, MTS Allstream, SaskTel and Quebecor later this week.
