The new changes that have put a cap on international roaming charges is a good start, but there's still a long way to go in battling large phone fees, according to Burnaby resident Matt Buie.
Buie made headlines a few months ago when his roaming charges resulted in a $20,000 phone bill that was reduced to $200 when he went public. His 11-year-old son had used about 700 megabytes of data while the family was touring Mexico. Buie was shocked when he came home to a bloated bill.
On Monday, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced that international roaming charges are now capped at $100 a month.
"If that was around at the time, the world would never have heard from Matt Buie," Buie told the NOW in a phone interview. "I would've paid $50 and my son would have paid $50."
Although it's a good start and a positive step from the commission, the fees are still quite steep, he said.
"Again, it's good for the (com-mission) for putting a contract out there that's more understandable and has a $100 cap, but all they've done is force telecom companies to warn you up to $100. We're still paying exorbitant amounts when travelling."
Instead, Buie suggests spending full price on a phone so it's unlocked, and going on a month-to-month contract.
"Did you lease your computer or did you buy it?," he said. "If you think about it, when you buy a computer for your home you buy it. Why wouldn't you do the same thing for your cellphone?"
Buie said that by the end of the average three-year contract, a consumer may have spent at least $900 for a $600 phone.
The commission made the changes following recommendations put forward from a public hearing held from Feb. 11 to 15.
"Every day, Canadians rely on wireless devices while in their homes, at their jobs, at school or travelling abroad," said Jean-Pierre Blais, the commission's chairman, in a media release. "The wireless code will contribute to a more dynamic marketplace by making it possible for Canadians to discuss their needs with service providers at least every two years."
Other changes include cancelling a wireless contract after two years without facing cancellation fees, even if signing onto a longer term; a cap on extra data charges at $50 a month; cellphones that can be unlocked after 90 days or immediately after paying the device in full; cellphones that can be returned within 15 days; changes to key terms of a fixed-term contract that can be accepted or declined.
"The wireless code is a tool that will empower consumers and help them make informed choices about the service options that best meet their needs," Blais said. "To make the most of this tool, consumers also have a responsibility to educate themselves."
For more information, visit www.crtc. gc.ca/wirelesscode.
