OTTAWA – Industry Minister Jim Prentice says Bell Mobility and Telus have assured him that any customers mistakenly charged for text message spam can have the charges removed from their bills.
Prentice, in a news release, says he met with the CEOs of both companies to express his "serious concerns" with the fact the plans could charge for unsolicited, unwanted spam. He also said the government has “no intention of interfering with the day-to-day business decisions of private companies or with the choices available to consumers” but added that his officials will continue to “monitor market activity.”
"I would encourage consumers dissatisfied with existing plans to seek alternatives," added Prentice. “The telecommunications market in Canada is dynamic – choice is available."
Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility announced last month that they will charge cell phone customers not covered by calling plans 15 cents for each incoming text message. Bell’s text-messaging charges took effect last Friday while Telus’s begin Aug. 24. Rogers Wireless does not charge for incoming text messages. Both carriers have maintained all along they have safeguards in place to block spam messages and would reimburse customers who were wrongly charged.
