Dozens of Canadians took the opportunity to chime in on the record via Twitter on day one of the CRTC hearings on aggressive and misleading sales tactics by the country’s big telcos.
Canadians have been invited to participate throughout the hearing, which runs until Oct. 26, using the hashtag #CRTCforum. Tweets using the hashtag which comply with the CRTC’s Rules of Engagement will be added to the public record and considered for the CRTC’s report to government on the matter.
Well over 100 individuals had used #CRTCforum as of press time, many unfiltered in expressing exasperation at attempts to resolve issues with their wireless provider ranging from cancellations to so-called bill creep. Others, in under-serviced or rural areas, expressed outrage at having to pay similar rates to their urban counterparts with access to fibre-optic speeds.
#CRTCforum We negotiated bundling our services with Rogers & it took 6.5 hours to complete. Two 2 hour sessions ended w the call getting dropped and couldnt reach the person again. 3rd 1 ended with a good deal but when we got the bill Rogers lied about the amount we agreed on
— Murray Kibler (@mlkibler) October 22, 2018
#CRTCforum Once was refused refund of overpayment to Rogers when payment taken after cancellation. Lady said yes service was cancelled but no admin note was placed on my file to stop taking payments so they just took it. Never got it back. Illegal?
— John Chaffey (@JohnChaffey) October 22, 2018
I called Bell 5 times about a $60 balance in my favour when I cancelled my service. They said a cheque would be mailed to me. It’s been 3 years #CRTCforum
— Gabriela Capurro (@g_capurro) October 22, 2018
#crtcforum I’d like to see more balanced pricing. I’m rural, and pay $20 less a month for 15 MBPS download speed 200 GB Limit than an urban person paying for fibre optics. Also, the towns that HAVE fibre optics in it, telecoms should be forced to roll out fibre to everyone
— Cardcrazed (@CardCrazed) October 22, 2018
#CRTCforum on April 6 a Rogers rep explained via chat that the 2yr offer was not based on price but on 25% discount of the current price. Absolutely misleading BS. Transcript follows, my name was replaced with “Customer” for privacy reasons. Session ID not changed. pic.twitter.com/VYYJ1BdKDI
— Nosvoskapop (@ArgCan) October 22, 2018
#CRTCforum Mother-in-law wants new smartphone for browsing & calls. Young Bell salesman at store in mall pushes expensive phone with LOTS of features & 100min free 4 calls & no data. First bill she went over 100min. We tried to help change plan to the one she wanted. Bell refused
— Brian Beaton (@Beaton_b) October 22, 2018
Well that sucks… missed 90% of today’s @CRTCHearings due to slow internet speeds #CRTCforum
— JMJimmy (@JMJimmy1) October 22, 2018
Tuesday’s hearing agenda includes presentations from The Fair Communications Sales Coalition, consisting of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, ACORN Canada, National Pensioners Federation and Canadian Association of Retired Persons; and Democracy Watch, among others groups.
You can listen in here, starting at 9 a.m. ET.
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