New Canadian regulations allow mobile, Internet, TV consumers to be choosy

Canada's telecommunications regulator has put in place new rules to make switching mobilephone, Internet and television providers easier for consumers, and perhaps net them a better deal.

"The new rules will make the transfer process a seamless and convenient experience, while enabling Canadians to benefit from receiving retention offers from their current providers," Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said. The new framework will force Shaw Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. and others to make "all the arrangements" to have services transferred over to them from their competitors, the commission said. In the past, consumer advocacy groups have complained customers face delays in switching between providers, and have had to pay unexpected charges and fees. The regulator is now requiring that transfers of accounts be completed within two business days, except in the case of wireless products, which providers will be given a short window of two and a half hours to complete the switch.