Having become aware that Telus planned to introduce a $15 SIM purchase fee for both physical SIM cards and digital eSIMs later this week, the CRTC in a letter Tuesday informed Telus such a fee may be in violation of the commission’s new rules eliminating activation fees.
Telus is set to start the new practice on Thursday, June 11, just one day before the CRTC’s prohibition on activation, modification and cancellation fees comes into effect on Friday.
The Canadian Press on Tuesday reported on Telus’s planned $15 SIM fee, which was the subject of a memo distributed to Telus employees that the news outlet reportedly had obtained. According to The Canadian Press’s report, the Telus memo said an additional $10 shipping charge would apply in some cases.
In a letter dated June 9, Scott Hutton, the CRTC’s vice president of consumer, analytics and strategy, wrote to Telus, saying: “A SIM card or eSIM is required for the delivery of the wireless service customers are purchasing. It would not appear that the SIM purchase fee falls under the exemption considered by the Commission for optional services and products. A fee associated with providing a SIM card or eSIM may be considered to be an activation fee that is prohibited under s. 27.04 of the [Telecommunications] Act.”
Hutton’s letter continued: “It is my hope that this situation can be resolved at this stage and will not require more formal regulatory action on the part of the Commission once the prohibition comes into effect.”
Telus, which did not respond to a request for comment, isn’t the only Canadian wireless provider the CRTC has decided may need to be reined in ahead of its new policy prohibiting activation fees taking effect.
Last month, Hutton wrote a letter to Bell telling the telco its new $40 device handling fee may breach the commission’s new rules.
As of Wednesday, Bell’s website still states a one-time $40 device handling charge applies to new phone purchases.
