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WIND Mobile applauds Ontario consumer protection legislation for wireless customers
TORONTO, Apr 12, 2012, 2012 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) --
Pro-consumer move to ensure clarity and choice long overdue for Ontario
residents
WIND Mobile today commended the
Government of Ontario on its introduction of legislation to protect
wireless consumers in Ontario, something WIND Mobile has been actively
advocating for years. The legislation, which would simplify and create
greater transparency in wireless contracts, would also limit the
ability of large wireless carriers to charge anticompetitive early
termination fees and punitive charges.
"Hats off to the Government of Ontario for demonstrating leadership on
consumer protection in the wireless market," said Anthony Lacavera,
Chairman and CEO of WIND Mobile. "As longstanding champions of
wireless choice for Canadians, WIND Mobile is glad to see Ontario
taking strides to promote real competition and protect consumers from
unfair practices. This is a good day for consumer protection."
The Ontario legislation is similar to consumer protection legislation
passed in the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec and currently introduced
in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Those various statutes
contain a number of provisions designed to give residents greater
protection in their interactions with wireless carriers.
"Everyone wins with greater competition. We are happy Ontario has
recognized that mandatory clear rules and effective enforcement tools
are necessary to ensure that consumers can make informed choices and
act on those choices, which is what is needed to keep the traditional
wireless carriers from abusing their market power," added Lacavera.
"It shows that the Government of Ontario understands that competition
is not just allowing new providers into the marketplace. We also need
to remove the barriers that prevent consumers from taking advantage of
increased choice and better value. The proposed legislation promises
to do just that. All Canadians should be offered similar protection
and I hope other provinces will follow suit."
Canada's wireless sector has historically suffered from a high degree of
concentration and insufficient competition. Market mechanisms and
self-regulation alone have not been enough to protect Canadian
consumers from abusive practices of the dominant wireless carrriers,
such as activation fees, system access fee and relatively long (three
year) contracts. For example, according to a 2010 study, "Death Grip:
Caught in a Contract and Cannot Quit", at 24-36 months, typical
Canadian postpaid contract terms are the longest in the world. The
same report noted that a Canadian seeking to cancel his or her iPhone
after 6 months would pay a about twice as much as an American - An AT &
T customer would pay $256, while a customer of one of the Big Three
would pay between $500 and $600.
About WIND Mobile
WIND Mobile provides voice, text and data services to Canadians on a
next-generation wireless network and is committed to offering a level
of wireless service presently not available in Canada. WIND is built on
actual conversations that are happening with Canadians who are
passionate about wireless and creating a better mobile offering
nationally. For more information about WIND Mobile, please visit www.WINDmobile.ca.
To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2012/12/c5127.html
SOURCE: WIND Mobile
Nisha Amin Senior Manager, Media & PR, WIND Mobile 647.700.5071 NAmin@WINDMobile.ca
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