BAN URGED ON THREE-YEAR CELLPHONE CONTRACTS
Three-year contracts from cellphone companies should be banned, Canada’s telecom regulator has been told in submissions to an online consultation.
Hundreds of people submitted their opinions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission about a proposed code of conduct for the country’s wireless industry. The overwhelming majority who wrote during the two-week consultation period voiced concerns about being “held hostage.”
“Get rid of the 36 months contract!!!,” wrote one person. “It first started with 12 months, then 24 months, now the standard is 36 months, which is ridiculous!” Another person also urged banning three-year deals, adding, “Canada will love you for this.”
Those submitting opinions and suggestions to the forum were not required to post their names. The first round of consultations, which closed this week, also heard several complaints about a lack of competition in the industry.
The regulator launched the online discussion to get the views of Canadians on what should be in a new code for wireless services.
The CRTC said in October it would develop a national code so Canadians could have a better understanding of their rights as consumers, and so wireless companies would clearly know their responsibilities. The commission is expected to issue a draft code by the end of next month, after which a second round of online consultations will be launched.
Public hearings are to begin in February.