Cell Phones

Why it is that customers get charged to make changes to their accounts over the phone but not for making the same changes by themselves online? According to a customer service agent working for one of the Big Three cell phone companies—Bell, Telus, and Rogers—it’s “because then we are doing the work for you.”

It’s no secret that Canada’s cell phone carriers dole out some of the most expensive rates for some of the worst service service in the industrialized world, and that Canadians suffer systemic mistreatment at the Read more »

Professional cell phone contract negotiators are now haggling for better deals on behalf of Canadians who are either frustrated or unwilling to discuss their cell phone bills, contracts and plans with their wireless providers.

If the government allows Big Telecom to succeed in taking over Canada's independent wireless assets, even higher cell phone bills than ever before. Don't forget to visit http://demandchoice.ca/

From CBC News:

Discussing cellphone bills, contracts and plans with their wireless provider is something many Canadians would rather not do — so a number of entrepreneurs are offering to haggle with service providers on their behalf.

Companies such as mybillsarehigh.com negotiate with wireless providers like Rogers or Bell to get customers a better deal, in return for a cut of the savings. Read more »

We at OpenMedia.ca have been working hard to ensure your voices are heard as the CRTC works to develop national rules to protect cell phone users.

If we’re successful this Code of Conduct could play a big role in increasing cell phone providers’ transparency, curbing certain price-gouging practices, and dialing back the all-too-common punitive long-term cell phone service contracts. As only three large companies continue to control 94% of Canada’s wireless market, the CRTC rules could help reduce Canadians’ frustrations and could also play a critical role in enabling more choice.

Many of you have been engaged in this proceeding from the start—thousands of you even called on the CRTC to develop these rules in the first place—and have informed the Wireless Code of Conduct proceeding by sending in your cell phone horror stories, which we also used to inform our report Time for an Upgrade and its recommendations. Read more »

OpenMedia.ca argues the takeover will encourage more mistreatment of Canadian cell phone customers

April 16, 2013 – Telus has formally announced plans to takeover Mobilicity, one of Canada’s largest independent cell phone providers. Grassroots group OpenMedia.ca believes, if allowed to go through, will stifle choice and fair treatment of customers in Canada’s already-broken wireless market.

Mobilicity is one of only three carriers in Canada independent of the “Big Three” cell phone companies - Bell, Rogers, and Telus - that already control roughly 94% of the market.

OpenMedia.ca says that the sale of Mobilicity to Telus will stifle choice in an already monopolistic wireless market. According to the group, the deal also gives big telecom conglomerates more room to raise prices, as the check on the market provided by new entrants diminishes. Read more »

He may be home, Canada’s favourite astronaut is not free and clear. Chris Hadfield’s 5 month phone bill is a whopping $1.37 million! Better pay better attention to your contract, Chris. How could you miss the clearly defined section on outer-space data usage and roaming fees?

Just kidding. Chris wasn’t saddled with the bill; at least, not this time. Don’t forget to Demand Choice for our cell phone market at http://demandchoice.ca/

Article by Alexander Huntley for the Beaverton:

KAZAKHSTAN – After five months in space, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield was shocked to discover his cell phone provider has charged him well over a million dollars for data usage and roaming charges while he was in space. Read more »

Telus are refusing to comment on reports that it is in talks to acquire independent provider Mobilicity.

This would mean that the already dismal state of competition in our cell phone market would be reduced yet further - meaning higher prices and less choice for consumers.

Canadians have made it very clear that we want more choice, not less - stand up for choice at http://DemandChoice.ca

For more info: http://bit.ly/11mJNVD Read more »