In a consumer-friendly move, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released some new rules today governing new cell phone contracts.
The new rules will apply to new cell phone contracts that start on December 2, 2013.
In particular, the new rules:
- allow consumers to terminate their cell phone contracts after 2 years without cancellation fees, even if they have signed on for a longer term
- cap extra data charges at $50/month
- cap international data roaming charges at $100/month
- allow consumers to have their cellphones unlocked after 90 days, or immediately if they paid for the device in full
- allow consumers to return their cellphones, within 15 days and specific usage limits, if they are unhappy with their service
- allow consumers to accept or decline changes to the key terms of a fixed-term contract (i.e., 2-year)
Remember, in order to take advantage of these new rules, the cell phone contract must be signed on or after December 2, 2013.
Actually, Roger’s is already offering the sim-unlocking options that are covered by the new law…UNFORTUNATELY, they are charging $50 for the service EVEN IF YOU BOUGHT YOUR PHONE OUTRIGHT!! I checked out their RedBoard site at http://redboard.rogers.com/2013/how-to-unlock-your-phone-with-rogers/comment-page-2/#comments and the reasoning for the charges are absolutely lame. Anyone wanting to unlock now you are better off going to a third-party unlocking service. It will still cost you money but nowhere near the outrageous $50 that Robbers…err, I mean Rogers charges!
So if I have a contract right now with bell and I’m going into year 3 can I get out of it after Dec 2?
Robin, the new cell phone rules are not retroactive and so do not apply to contracts such as yours which were signed before Dec 2, 2013.
Does this apply to the rocket hubs as well since they use mobile numbers?