CRTC warns Bell and Telus about improper fees for wireless coverage

The CRTC has stepped up its battle with BCE Inc. subsidiary Bell Canada and Telus Corp. over fees which the regulator believes violates commission policy. In regulatory policy 2026-43, the commission laid out what is permitted regarding what wireless companies may charge. In earlier letters, Scott Hutton, vice-president for consumer, analytics and strategy, told Bell it could not institute a $40 handling charge and told Telus a $15 SIM purchase fee was not allowed. Bell replied that it disagreed; Telus did not respond. Nanao Kachi, director of social and consumer policy for the CRTC, wrote follow-up letters to the companies on June 12, the day the regulatory policy came into effect. “I’m requesting that you confirm whether Bell has nonetheless ceased its practice of charging a device handling charge to customers opting to purchase a device along with their wireless service plan,” the director said to the eastern telecom’s assistant general counsel Philippe Gauvin. A similar request was made to Telus. “If Telus has not ceased this practice, explain why and provide supporting rationale as to why Telus considers this practice to be in compliance with the exemption for optional services and products set out in the above-noted policy, or in compliance with the policy more generally,” the CRTC wrote to VP telecom policy and chief regulatory legal counsel Stephen Schmidt. The telecoms have until Wednesday to respond to the commission. Answering a query from The Wire Report, Bell defended its actions. “We are currently examining the CRTC’s letter,” the company emailed. “The CRTC's new rules prohibit fees for activating or changing a service but do not apply to optional purchases a customer chooses to make, such as buying a device.” “Our one-time handling charge helps cover our costs of providing that device. Customers who do not buy a device from Bell are never charged this fee.” Telus did not reply to requests for comment. ppark@thewirereport.ca

CRTC warns Bell and Telus about improper fees for wireless coverage

Regulatory |
By Paul Park
|June 16, 2026

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CRTC warns Bell and Telus about improper fees for wireless coverage

Regulatory | By Paul Park |June 16, 2026

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