The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is meeting in Gatineau, Quebec between February 6th and February 9th to discuss how effective the current Wireless Code of Conduct is, where it falls short, and how to improve it. The meeting is headed up by Jean-Pierre Blais, the CRTC’s current chairman. The Code of Conduct was originally created back in 2013 to promote transparency and consumer friendliness in the wireless industry, but Canadian citizen Philippe Léveillé, among others, believes that the Code of Conduct in its current form does not do quite as much as it should be doing to protect and empower consumers in the modern wireless climate.
Wireless complaints have reportedly decreased since the Code of Conduct was implemented, according to data from the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services. Still, the Code in its current form may have some holes in it that bear discussing how to fix. Thus, discussion on the first day of the hearing on the matter was to revolve mostly around pain points in the wireless world, as well as potential troubles that are not adequately addressed by the current Code of Conduct. One such possible issue is the fact that the Code does not address who companies must contact in case of an overage. When an overage occurs, companies must contact somebody on the plan in order to notify them that they’ve gone over their limit, and to talk about the possibility of suspending the plan. With no rule in place, such a decision may well fall to a child, according to citizen Gordon Graff. The talk centered around a similar note, with key subjects being clarity in contracts, making it easier for consumers to switch carriers if they so desire, and helping to prevent bill shock.
A public discussion forum where Canadians can chime in concerning talking points and the reform of the Code of Conduct will be open at the CRTC’s website until February 14th. A few good suggestions and talking points for the CRTC have already been laid out in the online forum, and even after the formal hearing ends on February 9th, they will continue monitoring the public forum to talk to the populace about possible changes to the Code of Conduct, and get input on proposals and ideas put forth by CRTC members.