Tel us joins Rogers in seeking to extend wireless code Dec .1 deadline
TORONTO — Telus Corp. has joined Rogers Communications Inc. in saying it can’t meet a Dec. 1 deadline for completing changes to the way customers are billed for extra data usage and international roaming charges.
Vancouver-based-Telus (TSX:T) is asking the CRT C for permission to extend the deadline for updating its billing system to March 31, 2018 — although it anticipates some changes will be completed before that time.
Canada’s wireless carriers were told last June that they had until Dec. 1 to comply with a number of regulations including how they set cap son wireless data usage and who is authorized to accept extra charges for accounts with more than one device user.
In a letter to the CRTC, Telus says it’s “impossible” for the company to implement the changes to its bill management system on time despite its “best efforts” since the CRTC announced its revised policy on June 15.
A redacted version of the Telus request, dated Nov. 16 and posted on the CRT C’ s website late Friday, said that there’s only a small number of customers that will be affected by the delay, since the bill management system doesn’ t need to change for single-user accounts — only accounts with multiple users.
“In addition, Telus provides its customers with a data manager tool that already gives an account holder of a multi-user account the ability to manage authorized users by subscription … Because of this tool, many existing TELUS customers already have their own account level protections from bill shock,” Telus says in its letter to the CRTC.
The Telus request is similar to an earlier request from Rogers Communications Inc. (TS X: RC I. B ), which told the CRT C on Nov .3 that it wants to def er having its billing system in compliance with the wireless code until May 31.
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, an Ottawa-based not-forprofit organization that frequently comments on telecommunications policy, says the CRTC to should deny the requested delays.
PIAC’s position is that the CRTC’s instructions in June actually reinforce billing obligations to notify account holders of data overages that have been in place since 2013.
PIAC also says wireless carriers have been required to apply data caps at the account level, rather than at the device level, under the original 2013 wireless code.