RadioActive wrote:

Not long ago, the CRTC initiated a campaign to prevent Canadian telcos from charging customers some "extra added" (translation: unnecessary) fees just to use their services. 

For example, they banned things like a "connection fee," a mostly meaningless charge that just put more money in the companies' already overstuffed wallets. 

So it should come as no surprise that both Bell and Telus attempted to find a way to circumvent those changes, trying to find a way to keep the gouging going. Welcome to Bell's "device handling fee," a completely baffling new bill that doesn't seem to have any real reason to exist except to keep raking in your dough. 

Now the CRTC is crying foul and trying to prevent the giant from implementing these questionable added costs. 

The story of the battle between the two is outlined in the story below. But it serves only to illustrate that old truism that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

CRTC Puts Bell and Telus on Notice Over Shifty New Wireless Fees

I was wondering if this was going to happen. Now it has, as Rogers joins the greed patrol of now banned extra charges and the CRTC says "no you don't!"

CRTC issues warning to Rogers over three new fees after ban takes effect

And now two big telcos have given the middle finger to the CRTC. 

"In letters to the CRTC filed Wednesday, representatives from Bell and Telus said they will continue to charge their new $40 and $15 fees, respectively. Both representatives said the fees fall under an exemption which allows telecoms to charge for optional services. Telus also argued that the charge is not a fee at all but instead, the cost of a product."

Which just shows, as if you needed proof, that these guys think they're above the body that regulates them. I hope they both get hit with huge fines. Although I think this one may well end up before the courts. 

Bell, Telus will continue charging cell phone fees despite CRTC requests to stop