Rogers joins Telus’ push for national wireless contract regs, issues draft code

Rogers Communications Inc. proposed national code to the CRTC Thursday that would govern wireless service providers' contracts with customers. Rogers' request follows a submission from Telus Communications Co. on Feb. 8, which proposed that the CRTC introduce national standards of regulation for mobile contracts. Rogers, like Telus, said a single set of national regulations, as opposed to a patchwork of provincial laws, would be easier to understand for consumers and wireless carriers. National wireless companies would have to meet one set of standards instead of several across the country. "Rogers believes a national Consumer Code is critical to ensuring Canadians have consistent experiences with their wireless service agreements," the application said. Rogers said that, despite provincial efforts to ensure consistency in their regulation of the wireless industry, not all provinces have frameworks in place. The company said the CRTC should establish a federal code to “govern all wireless service arrangements in each and every province, eliminating the need for individual provincial rules." Rogers proposed a draft code to the CRTC, titled “National Wireless Services Consumer Code,” that said wireless carriers can make changes to optional wireless services if they provide a 30-day notice to customers. Customers would also be given a 60-day notice before the end of a contract. The draft code said that wireless customers can cancel their contract at any time with a 30-day notice for the service provider. The cancelling consumer would pay for the services they received up until the termination date plus any subsidy costs the carrier absorbed for the wireless device. In an interview with The Wire Report, Ken Engelhart, Rogers’ senior-vice president of regulatory affairs, said the company’s proposal came in response to criticism of the industry, which is perceived as “not having good consumer practices.” Federal rules would save money for carriers that could otherwise be forced to adapt their business practices on a province-by-province basis, Engelhart said, adding that consumers would benefit the most under Rogers' proposal. “Consumers will feel that they can enter contracts for wireless services providers without having to worry too much or without having to read the contracts,” Engelhart said. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) responded to Rogers' application Friday with a letter to the CRTC saying it welcomes Rogers' proposal but has concerns about the process. PIAC said the proposal does not "allow for adequate public participation in the development of such an important Code, set of regulations or tariffs, as the result may be." PIAC said “interveners are limited to one written intervention and no reply. This process is not conducive to public input or deep consideration of major issues of market structure or regulation.” The group suggested it is not appropriate for the CRTC's interconnection steering committee to look at the proposal because it "may not be well suited to resolving large policy and regulatory matters" and the committee has a "rigid" process. The group recommended that the commission turn Rogers' proposal into a telecom notice of consultation. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), Canada's largest wireless industry association, told The Wire Report last month that it also supports national regulation if it means a patchwork provincial approach can be avoided. Quebec has passed wireless consumer protection legislation and Manitoba is planning to pass a similar bill. Ontario also has a private member's bill in its legislature that would regulate wireless contracts. —With files from Nicholas Kyonka news@thewirereport.ca --- CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the proposal was sent to the CRTC's interconnection steering committee. Rogers sent the letter and proposal to the chair of the commission.

Rogers joins Telus’ push for national wireless contract regs, issues draft code

News | March 9, 2012

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