CRTC Warns Rogers Over New Fees Despite Ban
The telecom regulator issued a warning after Rogers introduced a $40 device setup fee, $25 shipping charge, and SIM card fee, joining Bell and Telus in running afoul of new rules.
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Rogers Communications has been warned by the CRTC after introducing three new fees that the regulator says appear to violate a ban on telecom charges for plan activation, changes, or cancellations.
In a letter issued June 17, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said Rogers began charging customers a $40 device setup fee, a $25 shipping charge, and an unspecified SIM card fee as of that day.
The CRTC's ban took effect Friday, June 12, and includes narrow exemptions for fees tied to optional services or products customers voluntarily purchase—such as add-on equipment not required to deliver service. The regulator says Rogers' fees "would not appear to fall under the exemption."
Rogers joins Bell Canada and Telus Corp., both of which received repeated CRTC warnings about recently introduced fees. The commission has requested Rogers confirm whether it intends to drop the charges and warned it will "consider all available compliance options" to ensure consumers don't face barriers to switching providers.
The CRTC previously said Bell's and Telus' charges could also violate the new policy.