Wireless Industry Beware… Wireless Consumers, Listen Up!

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission's (the "CRTC") highly anticipated Wireless Code came into force on December 2, 2013.  The Code, which applies to all new retail mobile wireless voice and data services contracts signed as of December 2, 2013, as well as to existing contracts that are renewed or extended or where the key terms are amended as of its coming into force date, has been hailed by Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC, as "the beginning of a more dynamic marketplace for wireless services".

The most notable provisions of the Code include allowing individuals and small business consumers to:

• Limit data charges in excess of the usage defined in their plans to $50/month;