Manitoba Enforces New Wireless Consumer Protection Laws

By: Talha Bhatti  |   September 20th, 2012   |   Business, News, O Canada, Smartphones

In April, 2012 the Canadian province of Manitoba revealed new legislation for the protection of mobile users. The new laws have now gone into effect in the prairie province and subscribers will be covered under rules that govern cell phone contracts and fees. The new laws are aimed at reducing the chances of consumers being led astray by false claims and protecting them from hidden or unexpected charges. Mobile service providers will now need to tell their users about all charges and fees and will also have to fully explain their terms of service.

 

The Manitoba laws do not stop there, offering more protection to consumers by also forcing wireless providers to offer consumers the ability to cancel their wireless contracts at any time. This would be done after the subscriber pays a reasonable fee for cancellation and not an exorbitant amount that is used to lock in users for the length of the contract. The laws also cover instances where a new phone is part of the agreement. Customers may be able to cancel the contract by returning the phone and only pay back the price of the phone after its price has been depreciated according to the number of months it has been used and the remaining time on the contract. Fines that can reach up to $1,000 for first time violators and enhanced penalties for repeat offender are just some of the punishments violators will face if they do not follow the new laws.

 

Gloria Desorcy of Consumers Association located in Manitoba, talked about the regulations and how they were a first step in protecting users. She spoke with CBC about the matter and said, “It’s important for consumers to know what they’re now entitled to. Because if we don’t know, that we’re entitled to it, then we might not complain about it. And that’s our responsibility as consumers.” However, even with laws in place, it is still the consumer’s duty to stay on top of matters and protect themselves from fraud and abuse from mobile service providers.

Source: CBC News

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