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“Get Connected Fairly Act” will ban System Access Fees?

By on June 4, 2008 at 9:53pm in Mobile News, Various News

Imagine a world of no “System Access Fees”! Similar to what Koodo and Virgin are doing and waiving the $35 when you sign a contract… you just might be in luck. Bill C-555 was introduced in the House Commons yesterday.

C-555 is known also as the “Get Connected Fairly Act” and is the brainchild of Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, David McGuinty (brother to Premier Dalton). The major cause of bill C-555 is to ban System Access Fees charged by cell phone providers.

McGuinty says “It’s past the time that Canadians expect to get connected fairly, System Access Fees are an obvious frustration for Canadian consumers. We’re talking 21 years and billions of dollars in misleading payments. My Bill will end fictitious surcharges on cell phones.”

Bill C-555 also includes a request to the CRTC to review and report on competition and consumer choice relating to telecommunications services in Canada. “Clearly, the problem needs more than a quick fix. We need to take a hard look at advertising, contracts and billing. And not just for cell phones – voice and data packages with unclear provisions, changing terms of service, and sky-high rates are simply unfair to consumers.”

The Bill is expected to be up for debate at second reading when Parliament resumes in October… however you if you would like to show your support there is an online petition to sign: Bill C-555 “Get Connected Fairly Act”

What are your thoughts on this?

Related posts:

  1. SearsConnect Wireless (now with CityFone) is offering no activation fees, no monthly system access fees or 911 fees on the Nokia 2760, 6085 and MotoRAZR. Link to the promo.
  2. The FCC is proposing a new program that would put in place a national system to alert people natural disasters, terrorist attacks/activities, and even child abductions by text message.
  3. TELUS helps SMB’s grow with Voice Access
  4. Is the Future Friendly? CRTC to rule on Telus access fee

Discussion

8 comments for ““Get Connected Fairly Act” will ban System Access Fees?”

  1. If SAF's are banned, you will see the price of monthly packages go up as well as added services, like voice mail, caller id, texting, etc.

    Either way, it's going to work out to the same price at the end of the day.

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    Posted by Justin Egli | June 4, 2008, 7:15 pm
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  2. I hope this bill goes through and I also hope the bill is ammended to refund all illegal charges for "user fees" as told by cell phone companys we were told it was aform of tax this is an illegal practice a ruse to get more money from customers I would like to get refunded this unlawful charge Thank you mr Mcginty

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    Posted by Pierre Auger | June 5, 2008, 1:59 pm
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  3. I hope bill 555 goes through and Ialso hope it goes further in making these illegal charges in past years refunded to customers also the monthly service charged as a sort of tax is illegal and people should get refunded for this charge Thank you Mr Mcginty

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    Posted by Pierre Auger | June 5, 2008, 2:04 pm
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  4. [...] [Via] // Related Articles: Does Your Phone Company Charge 1.25 To Call 411?Rogers Wireless launches advanced GSM/GPRS wireless services to 85% of the Canadian populationCanadian Wireless Subscribers Surpass 17.3 MillionCalling All Cannucks!Number Portability Coming To Canada, Finally [...]

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    Posted by Bill C-555 “Get Connected Fairly Act”, Good News For Canadian Cell Phone Owners | June 5, 2008, 5:25 pm
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  5. [...] Get Connected Fairly Act” will ban System Access Fees? By Rob ? June 4, 2008 ? Post a comment [...]

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    Posted by Get Connected Fairly Act” will ban System Access Fees? | Gadget North | June 6, 2008, 1:28 pm
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  6. [...] a contract?? you just might be in luck. Bill C-555 was introduced in the House Commons yesterday.http://mobilesyrup.com/2008/06/04/mcguinty-get-connected-fairly-act-will-ban-system-access-fees/Web Guidelines – Accessibility PolicyThe University has adopted the access standards of Section 508 [...]

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    Posted by accessibility | June 11, 2008, 7:29 pm
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  7. [...] a contract?? you just might be in luck. Bill C-555 was introduced in the House Commons yesterday.http://mobilesyrup.com/2008/06/04/mcguinty-get-connected-fairly-act-will-ban-system-access-fees/Koodo Sushi Corp :: The Best Japanese Sushi Restaurant in town.Visit koodo Sushi Corp and enjoy our [...]

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    Posted by koodo | July 15, 2008, 6:49 pm
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  8. i hope that the bill gets passed every month, to me i see no need of having it there with my provider i pay 26.85 every month plus hst

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    Posted by kimberly | July 22, 2008, 4:08 pm
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