The recent Federal Budget mentioned that the government will ask the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) “to move expeditiously to implement wireless number portability”. Newly launched Virgin Mobile is also pushing for portability that will enable it to be more competitive.
The Toronto Star reports today that a new poll shows that an overwhelming majority of wireless customers would like to keep their phone numbers when switching phone companies. The service providers have been claiming that number portability will increase costs for consumers. While it warms my heart to know that phone companies care so much about our pocketbooks, the CRTC should mandate the wireless industry to implement portability, so that Canadians ultimately benefit from increased competition.
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1 Canadian Capitalist » Setbacks for Consumers // Mar 27, 2006 at 9:12 pm
[...] 15 Sep 2005 Setbacks for Consumers Posted by Canadian Capitalist under Consumer Canadians have been dealt a raw deal in twoconsumer protection initiatives: the Do-Not-Call Registry and Number Portability.A column in the Toronto Star points out that the draft legislation to implement the Do-Not-Call registry has been amended to include exceptions for charities, political parties, polling companies and businesses with “existing business relationships”. What a farce? Most of the telemarketing calls we receive are for opinion polls or businesses we already deal with. While currently companies are required to maintain internal do-not-call lists, it is amazing how long it takes for the request to “go through the system” for even reputable organizations. Visit http://www.donotcall.ca to demand an effective do-not-call registry. [...]
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