V-Tech Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Canada finally able to escape three-year contracts, caps data overages at $50/month The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today announced that starting December 2, 2013, those of us up north will be able to cancel our contract after two years without penalty, that domestic data overage charges will be capped at $50/month ($100 for roaming), and that devices will be able to be unlocked after 90 days (or immediately if bought outright). The new code also stipulates that buyers will have 15 days to return any device so long as it's within certain usage limits, have the power to accept or decline mid-term contract changes, and that they'll have a contract they can actually understand. These changes are all a result of public hearings that happened back in February. This, in short, is freakin' sweet. The code will apply to all of the major carriers. For those unfamiliar, three-year contracts are currently the norm up here, and early termination fees in the past have been as high as $500. Right now, we've got a kind of pro-rated system where carriers factor in the initial subsidy provided for your device and how much longer you've got left on your contract in order to calculate how much customers need to cough up to leave. This can still be pretty high. Needless to say, I'm really, really pumped about these changes. We're waiting on statements from Rogers, Bell, and TELUS to see what they have to say about the new Wireless Code, but one can assume they won't be thrilled about it. If you're interested in digging into the details, you can have a read over here. http://www.androidce...verages-50month rr_dRock 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firey Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 That's pretty sweet. The three year contract can really start to suck after the first year and a half. However most companies will offer a renewal thing at 2 and a half years. Where they give you the option to start a new contract (Not as a new customer though), but providing the benefits of getting a new phone at the 3 year contract price, however it does mean the extension of your contract by another 3 years. Edit: I am at 2 years on my phone, and this is what the bell site shows me: You?re eligible for an early upgrade. You can upgrade to any device by paying an early upgrade fee of $180.00. Free Updgrade Date APR. 29, 2014 CONTRACT START: JUN. 29, 2011 CONTRACT END: JUN. 28, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Tech Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 I really dont like the whole contract thing. For the past several years i purchase the phone by myself and then join a carrier. The phone prices today are not as high as they used to be and it's just not worth getting stuck with a contract for years. FiB3R 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packet1009 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Yahoo! rather like the being able to unlock after 180 days. finally we get the civilized ways of the us carriers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakem1 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Damned government interference :angry: Seriously though, two years is still too long (even though it's better than three which seems outrageous). FiB3R 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandor Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 CRTC not listening as per usual. People wanted 3 yr contracts banned unconditionally - hasn't happened. Not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rippleman Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 For a year now you have been able to get out of your contract with only a $50 penalty no matter how much time you had left on it. Now, I am happy that this is happening, at the same time, since when does a contract not apply? If you sign a contract it should be held too it. I know in all other areas of life and business, if you sign a contract, by law, you must abide by what you agreed upon (unless illegal). So what makes the telecom industry bite the bullet on this? Trust me, I hate the dinosaur communication industry but in the end, I still fell a contract is a contract. added: the unlock thing should have been done with from the very beginning if you PAYED for the phone. Its yours to do as you please. If its was under lease (contract) then yes they have a right to lock it to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spy beef Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Not good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Tech Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 As i said, no one is making people sign a contract. You can always spend some $$$ on a phone and join a carrier without any contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OilersFan Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 As i said, no one is making people sign a contract. You can always spend some $$$ on a phone and join a carrier without any contract. You don't understand though, people want the latest and greatest smart phone for free and no contract! Rippleman 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Tech Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 You don't understand though, people want the latest and greatest smart phone for free and no contract! People usually want what they cant get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis W. Veteran Posted June 3, 2013 Veteran Share Posted June 3, 2013 Pretty sure the telcos will find a way to make up for it, be it increasing the cost of paying for subsidized phones or increased monthly phone bills as a result of lowering contracts to two years max. Capping roaming fees is a good move. Though I wouldn't stick with roaming plans from my home carrier if I were roaming around in the States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead.cell Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 While I don't find this something to be all "pumped up" about as the author claims, I guess it's at least a step in the right direction, if nothing else. Cheers to my northern brothers beyond the wall. :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobSlob Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 For a year now you have been able to get out of your contract with only a $50 penalty no matter how much time you had left on it. Now, I am happy that this is happening, at the same time, since when does a contract not apply? If you sign a contract it should be held too it. I know in all other areas of life and business, if you sign a contract, by law, you must abide by what you agreed upon (unless illegal). So what makes the telecom industry bite the bullet on this? Trust me, I hate the dinosaur communication industry but in the end, I still fell a contract is a contract. added: the unlock thing should have been done with from the very beginning if you PAYED for the phone. Its yours to do as you please. If its was under lease (contract) then yes they have a right to lock it to them. I'd love a source for this $50 thing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packet1009 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 seems the unlock is still for a fee - it's not a free unlock after 90 days or 180 days etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timster Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'd love a source for this $50 thing.... seriously! I asked Telus 6 months ago about getting out and they wanted to charge me $15 a month for the remaining months on my contract, I would've had to pay over $200 to get out and then sit around with a locked iPhone, which Telus conveniently charges $50 to unlock edit: i just searched for some stuff and it's all recent stuff and nothing has actually been set in stone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake89 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Here's the best wireless carrier in Canada: http://www.eastlink.ca/Wireless.aspx Eastlink never had contracts for anything since they've been in business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primexx Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I really dont like the whole contract thing. For the past several years i purchase the phone by myself and then join a carrier. The phone prices today are not as high as they used to be and it's just not worth getting stuck with a contract for years. still ~$400-600 for a decent smartphone. A lot of people who can't do math would rather pay a lot more over time than spend that amount in one lump sum. Where do you buy unbranded phones anyways? I haven't found anywhere that really sells them in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdca18 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Finally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleNeutrino Veteran Posted June 3, 2013 Veteran Share Posted June 3, 2013 finally, this will help us out here at my company, we have several people that are in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbeen Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Carriers also escape their requirement to grandfather ANY price plan. You've been paying $46 since 2007 for 6 gigs of data and 300 daytime minutes? how about $62 for 2gigs of data and 150 minutes? Contract is up in 2 months and they refuse to renew the plan. Happy renewing! Contracts are viewed as a hardware subsidy agreement now - simple as that. $450 discount / months of term = subsidy discount rolled into your bill. Good carriers should give you 10% at least off the bill if you bring your own hardware (koodo for example) Pricing plans will update continuously along with hardware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rippleman Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'd love a source for this $50 thing.... call them directly.. who ever your carriar is... telus, rogers whoever, it came in to law sept 2012 (do not confuse this with your Device balance, this is CONTRACT only and does NOT include your $1000 handset) seriously! I asked Telus 6 months ago about getting out and they wanted to charge me $15 a month for the remaining months on my contract, I would've had to pay over $200 to get out and then sit around with a locked iPhone, which Telus conveniently charges $50 to unlock edit: i just searched for some stuff and it's all recent stuff and nothing has actually been set in stone. you may have talked to a unknowing operator, came into effect in Sept 2012, both my parents got out of the contract they signed with a 1 phone call... (do not confuse this with your Device balance, this is CONTRACT only and does NOT include your $1000 handset) srbeen 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srbeen Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 seriously! I asked Telus 6 months ago about getting out and they wanted to charge me $15 a month for the remaining months on my contract, I would've had to pay over $200 to get out and then sit around with a locked iPhone, which Telus conveniently charges $50 to unlock edit: i just searched for some stuff and it's all recent stuff and nothing has actually been set in stone. Grabbed the SGSIIX when it fell to $50, and my contract was rolled into the $50 agreement. I thought this was in summer of 2011 myself. in fact 19 months ago... Whomever said you had to shell out $15 a month - you should have said "I wanna renew for a year term". Then renew under new contract rules, then call next day and cancel for $50. It actually came into effect in 2010. http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/telus/telus-updates-cancellation-policy-effective-november-21-2010/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandor Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 You don't understand though, people want the latest and greatest smart phone for free and no contract! Nope people just want fair prices and fair terms. Bell on the other hand want you in a 3 year deal that costs at least $60+tax/month (and even that's low data). Oh and that new smartphone you want? We'll be needing $150 or $200 from you for that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RageOfFury Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 This is some good news, but the CRTC didn't go far enough. Not surprising though due to the heavy lobbying by Bell, Rogers, Telus and Videotron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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