OTTAWA – The CRTC has summoned the country’s telcos and TV service providers to a meeting next month to review their practice of charging extra fees to customers who receive paper copies of their bills.
Based on the results of last year’s fact-finding exercise on these practices, the Commission said that it discovered “a wide variation” in how companies approach paper bill fees. For example, 36 companies said last November that they do not charge any fees, but 27 companies claimed that their fees range from $0.99 to $5.95 per month for paper bills. While certain companies provide exemptions to these fees, such as for seniors or customers who do not have residential Internet access, there is no consistent practice across the industry.
In a statement Wednesday, the CRTC expressed concern that the approach taken by the industry in the transition from paper to electronic bills may not have taken into account “the specific circumstances of some Canadians”. It also invited representatives from the companies to a meeting on August 28 at CRTC headquarters, to be led by it’s vice-chairs of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, and asked participants to “come up with a clear and predictable approach to paper bill fees, if any, as well as exemptions for any such fees”.
"We are concerned that not all Canadians have a reasonable choice when it comes to paper bill fees for communications services”, said CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais, in the statement. “We are challenging telecommunications and broadcasting distribution companies to come up with a comprehensive approach that will enable Canadians to make informed decisions. We are prepared to explore regulatory options if the industry fails to find an appropriate approach."
