CRTC Wireless Code checklist

Your rights as a wireless consumer

The Wireless Code establishes basic rights for all wireless consumers. However, there are some differences between postpaid and prepaid services.

Not sure if you’re prepaid or postpaid?

You have postpaid services if you receive a bill at the end of the month that tells you what charges you’ve accumulated for the month – your bill might be the same each month or you might see extra charges (e.g., you went over your data for the month). You pay for the services you’ve already used.

You have prepaid services when you top up your account to activate your services for the month. If you forget to pay, chances are that your services will be temporarily suspended until you top up your account. You pay for the services you’re planning on using.

Postpaid services

You have the right to:

Have your phone unlocked by your service provider immediately upon request, at no charge, and newly purchased phones from your service provider must be provided to you unlocked
Cancel your contract and return your phone at no cost, within 15 calendar days and if you have not used more than half of the usage specified in your monthly plan limits, if you are unhappy with your service

Cancel your contract at no cost after a maximum of two years
Be the only person to consent to additional charges on a shared or family plan, unless you authorize another user to do so
Limit your data overage charges to $50 a month and your data roaming charges to $100 a month for your entire account, regardless of the number of devices or users associated with the account
Refuse a change to the key terms and conditions of your contract, including the voice, text and data services in your contract, the price for those services, and the duration of your contract
Have your service suspended at no cost if your phone is lost or stolen
Receive a Critical Information Summary, which explains your contract in under two pages
Receive a notification when you are roaming in a different country, telling you what the rates are for voice services, text messages, and data usage
A contract that uses plain language and clearly describes the services you will receive, and includes information on when and why you may be charged extra

Prepaid services

You have the right to:

Have your phone unlocked by your service provider immediately upon request, at no charge, and newly purchased phones from your service provider must be provided to you unlocked
Cancel your contract and return your phone at no cost, within 15 calendar days and if you have not used more than half of the usage specified in your monthly plan limits, if you are unhappy with your service

Cancel your contract at no cost after a maximum of two years
Have your service suspended at no cost if your phone is lost or stolen
Receive a notification when you are roaming in a different country, telling you what the rates are for voice services, text messages, and data usage
A minimum grace period of seven calendar days in order to “top up” and retain your prepaid balance
A contract that uses plain language, and clearly describes the conditions that apply to your prepaid balance and how you can check your balance

Are you a person with a disability?

If so, you have the right to a copy of your contract in an alternative format at no charge and to a longer (30-days) trial period to ensure that the service and phone meet your needs

Have concerns about your wireless service?

Is your service provider respecting your rights? If you are unsure, you have the right to complain. First, try to resolve the issue with your service provider.

Mail: 5099 Creekbank Rd., Mississauga, ON L4W 5N2 or 200 Boul. Bouchard, Dorval, QC H9S 5X5

Toll-free: 1 800 667-0123 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you are still unsatisfied, contact the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc.

Mail: P.O. Box 81088, Ottawa ON K1P 1B1

TTY: 1-877-782-2384

Website:www.ccts-cprst.ca

Email:response@ccts-cprst.ca

Toll-free: 1-888-221-1687

Fax: 1-877-782-2924