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Author
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Topic: Wireless providers get cutesy with billing
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 19 April 2004 10:26 AM
WHAT???You mean that seven bucks I've been paying all along, that they've been telling me is mandatory, actually WASN'T mandatory?? Assholes. I can't wait until my cell phone contract is finished a month or two from now. I just called them now and asked about it. I feel sorry for the customer service guy. There wasn't much he could say. Two months, baby, and I'm outta the plan! [ 19 April 2004: Message edited by: Michelle ]
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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Hinterland
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4014
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posted 19 April 2004 07:50 PM
quote:
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, a group representing the four mobile carriers, would not comment on the issue of system access fees....
...although when pressed repeatedly, they finally declared: "Look you either pay up or we come to your home and hoover out your wallets. So put or shut up, sweetcheeks, because you're gonna take all we got, and you're gonna like it!" [ 19 April 2004: Message edited by: Hinterland ]
From: Québec/Ontario | Registered: Apr 2003
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Amy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2210
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posted 19 April 2004 08:07 PM
why are we just finding out about this right now? everyone i know who's gotten a cell has been pissed when they got their first bill turned out to be more than 30$, expecting it to be 20-25$. i can't believe that the government didn't say anything about this... actually yes i can. but i can't believe that "consumer advocate" reports didn't .edited to add: isn't the monthly plan/deal that you sign up to a fee for using the phone? aren't you paying the company 20-50$ a month to access their system? this is ridiculous. [ 19 April 2004: Message edited by: wizkid ]
From: the whole town erupts and/ bursts into flame | Registered: Feb 2002
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radiorahim
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2777
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posted 19 April 2004 08:46 PM
quote:
isn't the monthly plan/deal that you sign up to a fee for using the phone? aren't you paying the company 20-50$ a month to access their system? this is ridiculous.
The telcos have two "licenses" to deal with. The first one is to Industry Canada for use of the radio frequency spectrum. According to the article the telcos paid $126 million. The second license is to the CRTC for the "business side" of things. And the article mentions $80 million paid to the CRTC in 2002. As the article mentions, these licenses are simply a normal cost of doing business. These "service access" charges are totally manufactured by the telcos but they try to make it "look" like its supposed to be covering the cost of government licensing fees. quote:
There is one consolation. The Competition Bureau says it encourages people to complain if they believe they're being misled. You might also consider voicing your concerns to the CRTC. Make enough noise and perhaps someone will dig a bit.
Our regulatory agencies are pretty toothless...but as the author suggests, if folks lean on them they might just do something. To me the Competition Bureau seems like the obvious place to start.
From: a Micro$oft-free computer | Registered: Jun 2002
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