Industry Minister Champagne asks CRTC to look into wireless roaming fees on the rise
By The Canadian Press on March 23, 2023.
OTTAWA – Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is asking the federal telecommunications regulator to look into wireless roaming fees, saying he’s concerned about companies hiking their rates while phone bills in other jurisdictions are generally declining. In a letter to CRTC chairperson and CEO Vicky Eatrides, Champagne says the regulator’s wireless code does not prevent carriers from increasing international roaming fees. However, he notes the CRTC’s code does include consumer protection provisions, such as those requiring service providers to notify users when roaming in another country and suspending charges without further consent once a user reaches $100 in fees. Earlier this month, Telus and Bell both hiked their U.S. and international roaming rates. Champagne says companies could be using such increases to raise costs without consumers being aware, since the sticker price that is more visible when buying a phone plan is unchanged. The minister has previously directed the agency to implement new rules to enhance consumer rights, affordability, competition and universal access. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2023. Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE, TSX:T) 9-8
