Canadians and the Wireless Code

Lord Davis Ellis tells Canadians what they want

The words and terms used in the Wireless Code of Canada

The Canadian Wireless Code will take effect on December 02, 2013 and this event will help average Canadians better understand their rights and obligations as contained within their contracts with their wireless carrier. The Canadian Wireless Code uses words and terms with specific meanings and definitions which the average Canadian probably doesn’t have much experience with. Here we discuss many of these words and terms and provide definitions to help you better understand your rights and obligations under the Canadian Wireless Code.

• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is a public organization that regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications system to ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class communications system.

• The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc. (CCTS) is an independent organization dedicated to working with consumers and their wireless service providers to resolve any complaints relating to their wireless services. This organization collects data on complaints filed by customers, answers consumer complaints, and helps both parties come to an agreement consistent with the Wireless Code of Canada.

• The commitment period is the term or duration of the contract you signed with your wireless service provider. The commitment period for a fixed-term contract is the full length of the contract, while the commitment period for indeterminate contracts is the current month or billing cycle.

• A contract is a legally binding agreement between a customer and a wireless service provider to provide wireless services. A written contract is a legal document that outlines the content of the contract between a customer and wireless service provider.

• Device subsidy is the difference between the price on a cell phone or smartphone when it’s purchased from a wireless service provider without a contract and the amount you paid for your cell phone or smartphone when you agreed to your current contract.

• An early cancellation fee is a charge that could be applied if a customer cancels their service before the end of the commitment period.

• A fair or acceptable use policy provides information on what is considered to be unacceptable use of the service providers wireless services. This policy also covers the consequences of improperly using wireless services, such as disconnection or wireless service suspension or a modification of current wireless services available to a customer.

• A fixed-term contract is a legally binding agreement of a set amount of time, usually one, two or even three years in duration.

• An indeterminate contract is one without a specific length of time that is usually renewed monthly.

• The key contract terms and conditions are parts of the agreement with your wireless service provider which they cannot change without your consent. These terms are listed in section B.1. (iv) a-e of the Wireless Code of Canada.

• A locked cell phone or smartphone is a wireless device programmed to work only within the wireless network of the service provider you originally purchased the device from.

• The minimum monthly charge is the minimum amount you have to pay for wireless services each period, even if you do not use all of the optional services available or have any extra fees or overage charges. This charge could even be subject to applicable taxes, if this is included in the contract you signed.

• Mobile premium services or premium text messaging services are text message services customers can subscribe to for a little extra money, usually on a per-message basis.

• Optional services are additional services you can add to your wireless plan for a little extra charge, like caller ID or call forwarding.

• An overage charge is a fee added to a bill for going over the established limits of a wireless service plan or service.

• Pay-per-use services are services you can select to add to your wireless service agreement, such as international roaming, which is usually recorded and charged depending on the amount you use the service.

• Postpaid wireless services are services you pay for after you use them, usually when you get the monthly bill.

• The privacy policy is a document that explains how your wireless service provider will use the personal and financial information you provide.

• Roaming is the ability to use your wireless services when you are outside your service providers network coverage area.

• Service coverage maps are illustrations of the regions around North America or Canada where your wireless services are available.

• A subsidized cell phone or smartphone is one that has been sold to a customer by a wireless service provider for less than the retail price as part of an agreement.

• Unlimited services is the unlimited ability to use certain wireless services, like unlimited local calling, for a certain price.

• Wireless services are retail mobile wireless voice and data services provided for a charge.

These definitions should help you better understand the Canadian Wireless Code. The Wireless Code of Canada goes into effect on December 02, 2013. We will bring you more information and news on the fallout from this news in the weeks and months ahead.

Editor and Chief: Warren Wong