CRTC says it’s considering Rogers’ request to delay wireless code revision

Back in June, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced a revised wireless code of conduct that goes into effect December 1st. The ruling will bring forth a number of significant changes, including the banning of locked phones and unlocking fees.

However, earlier in November, telecom giant Rogers said that while it is able to comply with “the vast majority” of the changes, there are a number that it isn’t yet ready for. “There are a few areas where we need some more time to put in place the technical and billing system changes, and the customer impact is very low,” Rogers wrote to the CRTC.

As a result, Rogers requested that the CRTC delay the revision until May 31st, 2018, in order to offer more time to adjust its IT systems.

Now, the CRTC says it will quickly consider Rogers’ extension request ahead of the approaching December 1st date of implementation.

“Staff considers that a timely determination of the substantive issues raised in the application will assist with consumers’ ability to make informed decisions about their wireless services, a key objective of the wireless code,” said Nanao Kachi, the CRTC’s director for social and consumer policy, in a letter to Rogers.

The telecom regulator also said it is giving Canada’s other wireless carriers until Friday to comment, allowing Rogers’ major competitors to make their own requests.

Specifically, the CRTC has asked other carriers to say whether they think Rogers should be required to notify all of customers of these proposed delays.

Further, the CRTC is asking carriers if Rogers should inform its customers on how they’ll be credited for any amounts charged that exceed the caps imposed in the revised code until the company can fully implement the required changes.

So far, none of the other carriers have provided official comments on the matter, though a Bell spokesperson told the Financial Post that it is still in the process of implementing changes to its systems as well, and that Bell supports Rogers application.

Via: The Western Star