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Ottawa, 22 May 2014

File number: 8665-C12-201212448

Ms. Teresa Griffin-Muir
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
MTS Inc.
iworkstation@mtsallstream.com

BY E-MAIL

Re: Wireless Code Implementation – Compliance Reports

Dear Ms. Griffin-Muir:

In The Wireless Code Policy [1], the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the Commission) established the Wireless Code, a new mandatory code of conduct for providers of retail mobile wireless voice and data services (wireless services). The Wireless Code applies to all wireless services provided to individual and small business consumers in all provinces and territories regardless of the status and business models of the Wireless Service Provider (WSP).

As required by paragraph 377 of the Wireless Code Policy, WSPs filed reports with the Commission in January 2014 detailing how they have implemented the Wireless Code [2]. CRTC staff reviewed these reports and considers that there are elements of WSPs’ implementation that require further follow-up.

Therefore, you are asked to file answers to the attached questions on or before 29 May 2014.

This letter and all subsequent correspondence form part of a public record. As set out in Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin 2010-961, Procedures for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure in Commission proceedings, WSPs may designate certain information as confidential. WSPs must provide an abridged version of the document involved, accompanied by a detailed rationale to explain why the disclosure of the information is not in the public interest.

All submissions are to be made in accordance with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, SOR/2010-277.[3]

Yours sincerely,

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY /

Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy, CRTC

[1] Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2013-271, 3 June 2013, CRTC File number 8665-C12-201212448

[2] https://applications.crtc.gc.ca/DocWebBroker/OpenDocument.aspx?Key=62279&Type=Notice

[3] http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2010-277/index.html

Enclosure

Questions

  1. As set out in paragraph 140 of the Policy, “The Commission determines that WSPs must notify customers when their device is roaming in another country. (…) Customers should be able to opt out of these notifications at any time. The Commission also determines that these notifications must be provided to all prepaid and postpaid customers whose devices are able to roam internationally.”

    In your compliance report it is explained that you did not have the technical means to provide customers the opportunity to opt out of receiving said messages. What steps are currently planned to ensure compliance?

  1. As set out in paragraph 253 of the Policy, “WSPs must provide a 15-calendar-day (minimum) trial period for contracts where the consumer is subject to an early cancellation fee. During the trial period, customers can cancel their contract without penalty if they have (i) used less than the prescribed usage; and (ii) returned any mobile device provided by the WSP in near-new condition, including original packaging.”

    Explain how a customer can form a complete opinion as to the quality of the received service for their needs with a trial period that includes a maximum of 30 minutes of airtime and 50 MB of data usage.

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