Canada's industry boss: don't like incoming text charges? Switch carriers
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Aug 14th 2008 10:51AM
posted Aug 14th 2008 10:51AM
We're not sure what sort of mind-altering tricks Bell and Telus pulled on him, but Canada's minister of industry, Jim Prentice, is taking an entirely less confrontational tone after meeting with the carriers following their decisions to start charging 15 cents for incoming text messages. He'd originally sounded pretty fired up over the plans -- which involved absolutely zero collusion whatsoever, we're sure -- but now says he "would encourage consumers dissatisfied with existing plans to seek alternatives" after being assured by both Bell and Telus that customers charged for spam texts would be able to get the charges removed. Given everything we know about billing issues and customer service calls, that's... shall we say, not exactly reassuring.[Via MobileSyrup]
That Minister (Jim Prentice) is an ass.
So, his advice is to switch carriers? Hmmmm...... so if I'm locked in a 3 year contract, his advice is to break out of that contract (and pay a hefty fine) to avoid paying additional charges that should not have been added during the contract term.....
Thanks for nothing Prentice!
I believe if the carrier changes the terms of the agreement that you signed for then you have a legal right to cancel if you wish to, as it's a breach of the contract on their part. It might take some convincing them though!
Big surprise that this Conservative government has failed us yet again. That and the fact that they want to make unlocking phones illegal.
well in Canada, we're pretty stupid when it comes to out elected government, be it Liberals, Conservatives, or NDP. when people wake up and do something about it will be the day our country will be what we want it.
(sorry to get very political, but it's just my opinion)
Jeez, this is just plain damn stupid. Rogers/Fido have no coverage in my area what-so-ever. The only option is Bell/TELUS/Koodoo/Virgin/Solo...all of which run on the same towers, and all of which are owned by Bell or TELUS, meaning they'll have the same damn fee. I'm pissed. I never ever used text messaging in my life 'til I got a job recently, and now I use it to correspond with my coworkers/boss all the time, because they refuse to just call me. And now I get to pay every time I receive a message? Ass to that.
Do you all not have text messaging plans up there? I went to school in Canada for a year and I agree, your telephone charges in general (landline and cell) are outrageous. As for spam messaging charges being reversed...yeah, good luck with that.
How about we switch governments instead. See ya, Tories.