Canada's wireless carriers have adopted a new code of conduct to better help consumers understand their contracts when they buy a cellphone.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, an industry group representing wireless carriers, says the new code will give consumers full details on rates, terms and coverage offered in their plans.
It also promises that cellphone companies will communicate with customers in a way that they understand.
Consumers have often been frustrated by the terms of their cellphone contracts.
"My average bill is, like, $120," said one cellphone user walking along Ste. Catherine St. Tuesday.
There are 22 million cellphone users in Canada, and they pay among the highest rates in the world
"It's happened where somebody's come in with a $300 bill and it's because they went to the States and started using their phone and they didn't realize it was $2 a minute," said Joseph Evangelista, manager at cellphone shop La Cabine Telephonique.
Wireless association president Bernard Lord said the new code will give them the information they need to make informed decisions.
"The code states very clearly that providers must communicate with consumers in a language that they understand and use simple plain language as well," said Lord.
The industry says it will lead to better customer service, but some believe it's nothing more than a marketing ploy.
this is a voluntary code and in our experience when it's a voluntrary code who's gonna monitor it," said Stephanie Poulin from watchdog group Option Consommateurs.
Poulin said that if cellphone companies were truly dialed into their consumers, they would do away with multi-year contracts and exhorbitant cancellation fees.
Major wireless services providers have signed on to the new code of conduct, including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Videotron, MTS Allstream and new players Public Mobile and WIND Mobile.
With a report from The Canadian Press
