CRTC Holding Public Hearing Concerning Sustainable Wholesale Wireless Mobile Services Market in Canada

The CRTC wants to talk about sustainable competition in the wholesale wireless telecommunication services industry

Would Canadians benefit and is competition in the wholesale wireless mobile services industry sustainable in the market place?

Gatineau, Quebec (Monday, Sept. 29, 2014) – Starting today at 9 a.m., and until Friday, October 3, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public hearing in the Outaouais room of the Conference Centre at Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage in Gatineau, Quebec. The CRTC wants to talk with interested Canadians about whether competition in the Canadian wholesale wireless mobile services market can be sustained. In an effort to ensure Canadians benefit from a state-of-the-art, world-class telecommunication system through the decades to come.

The 700MHZ wireless spectrum auction didn’t add as much competition for your services as first thought

Interested people can hear an audio fee of the public hearing here. You can also watch a webcast of the hearing here. 

For general inquiries about the public hearing: Telephone: 819-997-0313 or email communications@crtc.gc.ca. Toll-free # 1-877-249-2782. You can also go here to view the original reference and find more information. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/2014-76.htm

To file a complaint or ask further questions go here. 

People on twitter wanting to follow the discussion online using this @CRTChearings, hashtag: #CRTCWireless.  Just search on Twitter.

If you’re thinking about a new cell phone plan? Read “Looking for a new cell phone plan“.

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Global Privacy Sweep Found Mobile Apps Accessing Sensitive Personal Information

Global privacy sweep raises concerns about the information mobile apps are asking to see

What information did the the mobile apps you use ask for?

Ottawa, Canada (Sept. 15, 2014) – Do you use any of the thousands of mobile apps available to Canadian cell phone users? What kind of personal information did they ask to see? The Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner completed a global privacy sweep of over 1,200 popular mobile apps Canadians use daily on May 18, 2014. They found some are asking for sensitive personal information they really don’t need. Others even asked for users location or access to sensitive areas, without explaining why?

 

“Fortunately, there were few examples of apps collecting the sort of information that would appear to exceed their functionality—like a flashlight app seeking permission to obtain your contacts list,” says Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

 

“But we did find many apps were requesting permission to access potentially sensitive information, like your location or access to your camera functions, without necessarily explaining why. This left many of our sweepers with a real sense of unease.”

 

Canadians can read an article on the official website of the Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner concerning popular mobile apps illustrating this trend here. The commissioner thought it was best to let Canadians take a look at the results of the global privacy sweep in order to better understand the observations.

 

The Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner has also compiled a guide of tips to help mobile app developers communicate their privacy practices better to users.

 

“Both large and small app developers are embracing the potential to build user trust by providing clear, easy to read and timely explanations about what information they will collect and how they will use it,” Commissioner Therrien says.

“Others are missing that opportunity by failing to provide even the most basic privacy information.”

 

What sensitive information are mobile apps you use accessing? Do you remember what you provided? Did you read the available information on the privacy practice of each mobile app you use? It might be a good idea to check!

 

CRTC Holding Public Hearing in Quebec

Gatineau, Quebec (September 08) – The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public meeting in Gatineau, Quebec starting today and running until Friday, September 19, 2014. They invite all people in the province and country desiring to have their say about the future of the Canadian television system to check out the conversation and add their comments.

 

The public hearing begins at 9 a.m. in the Conference Centre at Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage, Outaouais room, Gatineau, Quebec. Canadians desiring to talk in person and check out the debate can stop in and possibly help determine the future of Canadian television.

 

Part of the Let’s Talk TV: A Conversation with Canadians About the Future of the Television System. Concerned Canadians can also join in the conversation and help determine the future and direction of Canadian television in the decades to come online here. This is your chance to have your say about the present condition of Canadian television and possibly help make this entertainment form better for all Canadians in the decades to come.

Read about “The Canadian Wireless Code”

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The Canadian Wireless Code

The CRTC unleashes the Canadian Wireless Code

Know your rights and obligations

The Canadian Wireless Code goes into effect today around the country and wireless service providers and consumers need to know their rights and obligations under the new wireless code of Canada. Here we discuss some of the rules and regulations wireless service providers need to know in order to do business in Canada and consumers need to understand to make sure they get the services they pay for at a fair price.

Clear and plain language

• Your wireless service provider must communicate using clear and plain language understood by both parties. The wireless service provider must make sure all documented agreements or legal documents are written and edited to ensure consumers can easily understand their rights and obligations under the contract.

• All fees, prices and applicable taxes for wireless services provided must be clearly set out in the written agreement between the service provider and consumer.

• The wireless service provider is not allowed to add any overage charge for wireless services provided on an unlimited basis, unless these charges are clearly documented in the fair use policy.

Legal contracts and agreements

• Your wireless service provider has to give you a permanent copy of the written agreement at no expense under the following circumstances.

• If you agree to the terms of your current agreement with your wireless carrier in person, your wireless service provider must provide you with a copy of the agreement immediately.

• If you agree to the terms of a wireless service provider contract online or on the phone, the service provider must provide you with copies of the legal documents within 15 days of you signing the contract. Should the wireless service provider fail to provide the required documents within the specified period of time or the terms and conditions included with the legal agreement are different than those agreed to, the consumer is legally entitled to cancel the contract without penalty within thirty days of receiving the legal documents.

• Your wireless service provider is legally required to provide you with a copy of the legal agreement between you at no charge during the commitment period. This document must be paper unless the consumer expressly requests an electronic copy of the agreement. Customers with disabilities are entitled to request a free copy of the agreement in a different format anytime during the commitment period.

• If you sign an agreement with your wireless service provider to provide you with postpaid services, the document must list a number of key terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are listed on the CRTC website here http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t14.htm.

Additional wireless service contract topics

The link above will take you to the CRTC website where the Canadian Wireless Code is posted for the convenience of all Canadians. Here you will find additional information on everything included in the Wireless Code of Canada. This includes prepaid service contracts, providing the consumer with a Critical Information Summary, making changes to postpaid wireless service agreements, and topics related to managing bills. They also cover security deposits, issues related to mobile devices, disconnections, canceling and extending current wireless service contracts, and the expiration of prepaid cards.

Canadians concerned about making sure they understand the new Canadian Wireless Code and their rights and obligations should check out the website above for more information. This will help you get the best wireless services you can for a fair price and make sure your rights under the Wireless Code are upheld.

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

Things Customers Need to Know About The Wireless Code

Canadian wireless service providers have a code of conduct they must follow called the Canadian Wireless Code

The Canadian Wireless Code becomes law on December 02, 2013

The Wireless Code of Canada was created by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to help consumers of retail mobile wireless services better understand their rights and obligations as contained within their contracts with their wireless service provider. The Wireless Code was also created in order help improve relations between consumers and wireless service providers and add to an energetic wireless marketplace.

All service providers must follow the same rules of conduct

The Wireless Code applies to all wireless services offered by wireless service providers in Canada and to all wireless service providers. This includes wireless services bought on a stand-alone basis or as part of a bundle, all wireless services paid for in person, online or over the telephone, and all postpaid wireless services. All parts of the Wireless Code apply to postpaid wireless services.

We suggest consumers who believe their wireless service provider is not following the guidelines set out in the Wireless Code of Canada should try talking to their service provider first. If the consumer is not satisfied with the results or answers obtained they should then contact the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc. (CCTS) at the address we provide below.

Contact the Commissioner of Complaints for Telecommunications Services

Mail: P.O. Box 81088, Ottawa ON K1P 1B1

Website: http://www.ccts-cprst.ca

Toll-free: 1-888-221-1687

TTY: 1-877-782-2384

Email: response@ccts-cprst.ca

Fax: 1-877-782-2924

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Editor and Chief: Warren Wong