Canada’s cellphone companies face $12B class action suit

[oneh2obabe]

The Supreme Court of Canada is allowing a multi-billion dollar class action suit to proceed against Canada’s biggest cellphone companies over the “system access fees” they charged.

The high court declined to hear an appeal by the phone companies of a Saskatchewan lower court decision that certified the suit in 2008 against six companies, including, Bell, Rogers, Fido and Telus.

When the action, which argues that the companies falsely led subscribers to believe their system access fees were required by federal regulators, was initially filed in 2004, it estimated that the industry collected about $800 million annually from the extra charges.

The suit, which targets about $12 billion (plus interest) in customer charges collected over 20 years, is described as the country’s largest-ever class action, since every cellphone user in Canada — roughly half the population — is potentially affected.

http://www.thestar.com/business/article ... ccess-fees

[French Castanut]

Telus, Rogers and Bell discontinued the levy in 2009.

Here's my latest (June1st, 2012) Telus bill, and I'm still being charged for the Network Fee. Anything to do about it?

[kgcayenne]

If you have an old plan that was part of a contract, then the charge remains. If you call them up and switch to one of their current monthly plans, they will no longer bill you for it. On your bill would be the plan (plus any extras), 911 fee, and HST.

[Bsuds]

Join here

http://www.merchantlaw.com/classactions/cellular1.php

[French Castanut]

If you have an old plan that was part of a contract, then the charge remains. If you call them up and switch to one of their current monthly plans, they will no longer bill you for it. On your bill would be the plan (plus any extras), 911 fee, and HST.

I do have a plan as old as my grandmother because it offers me so much for only 35$ a month (+ service fee). I have long distance included and unlimited incoming calls as well, which they don't offer anymore.

[kgcayenne]

After that fee, you are already paying $41.95 for what you have, and if you are happy with that in comparison to the current $40 promo plan, then you should keep your present one.

Here's what you get for $40
Promo Voice and Messaging 40
200 local anytime minutes
Unlimited Nationwide Family Calling (to members on the same account)
Unlimited local Early Nights (6pm) and Weekends
Unlimited outgoing and incoming text, picture and video messages
Unlimited NATIONWIDE talk and text messaging with your 10 Favourite Numbers
Caller ID, Voice Mail 3, Call Waiting and Conference Calling

[French Castanut]

After that fee, you are already paying $41.95 for what you have, and if you are happy with that in comparison to the current $40 promo plan, then you should keep your present one.

Here's what you get for $40
Promo Voice and Messaging 40
200 local anytime minutes
Unlimited Nationwide Family Calling (to members on the same account)
Unlimited local Early Nights (6pm) and Weekends
Unlimited outgoing and incoming text, picture and video messages
Unlimited NATIONWIDE talk and text messaging with your 10 Favourite Numbers
Caller ID, Voice Mail 3, Call Waiting and Conference Calling

That sounds good!

On my end, my package "Talk to me 35", 35$/month + service fee, includes:
-250 anytime minutes
-100 long distance minutes
-Unlimited incoming calls
-Unlimited & Free local calls on my birthday
-Conference calling etc
-Call waiting
-Call forwardning

I also have a 15$ free package until Sept 2014 which includes:
-Caller ID
-Voicemail 10 msgs
-Unlimited text messaging

Once my free promotion ends, I'll probably change my package since I'll pay 50$ + service fee for the same thing.