CRTC bans cellphone unlocking fees, clarifies rules for so-called family plans
OTTAWA — Cellphone companies will soon no longer be allowed to charge customers to unlock their devices, Canada’s telecom regulator said Thursday as it unveiled sweeping changes to the wireless code of conduct.
The new code from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission also says as of Dec. 1, all newly purchased devices must be sold unlocked — one of several other changes aimed at giving people more control over their wireless services.
The updated code, which originally came into effect in 2013, now stipulates:
— Unsatisfied customers will be able to cancel contracts within 15 days, as long as returned devices are in near-new condition and customers haven’t used more than half of their monthly usage.