[hugh]

In regulatory policy handed down today, the CRTC has set out new rules which it claims will simplify the hassle of switching to a new telephone or television provider.

Under the new measures, a customers new telephone or televsion provider will be able to cancel service from the current provider on behalf of the customer thereby relieving the consumer of the having to deal with their existing provider.

 

[grog]

I'm confused. I thought this is how it already worked. I've done a new number ports and it's always been initiated by the new service provider you're moving to. In fact, they explicitly tell you not to cancel your service with your existing provider or else your number gets flagged for release and your new provider can't grab it.

 

[hugh]

Grog, that's true for wireless.

This applies to landline and television. Not sure why internet service is not included.

 

[grog]

I've ported landlines too and it was done the same way. I ported my Bell home phone to Primus and never talked to anyone at Bell, I just gave Primus a copy of my Bell bill. Similarly I just recently ported my Primus home phone to voip.ms and did it the same way.

 

[57]

Agreed, same when I switched from Bell to Rogers landline - Rogers handled everything and I was advised not to contact Bell. The only major new item I see here is TV.

 

[grog]

Television is a weird one. Bell and Shaw satellite use different technologies so there would be nothing to "move" between them anyway. As for cable, do we actually have any markets where you have multiple choices of cable provider?

 

[57]

An issue that could come up is that some people do utilize two providers. It would need to be made clear to the "new" provider that the "old" provider needs to be maintained in those instances. This could be opening a can of worms for these (relatively few) people.

Another complication would concern the STBs that anyone rents from the old service provider. Returning these, I assume, would be the responsibility of the customer and would require interfacing with the old provider. Surly one would not take the rental boxes to the new provider...

 

[99semaj]

This is very welcome news if they have the wherewithal to execute. Landline and VOIP porting is a world of passive-aggressive world of BS right now.

 

[GusX]

Not sure why internet service is not included.

I think its because the CRTC doesnt regulate anything internet related (besides the wholesale porttion of it).

 

[scrooloose]

It sounds great but could be a can of worms for those under any sort of contract and don't realize it (television or phone). If a contract exists, hopefully there is something to delay the process so that the NEW provider can contact the customer and explain before they commit, otherwise there could be some nasty cancellation fees. There could also be a conflict of interest as the new provider might not care about a new customers old contract with their previous provider.

-Mike

 

[57]

The following article in the Globe implies internet, but I didn't see it in the CRTC ruling either.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repo...g-field-on-customer-migration/article1947300/

The Globe article is very pleased with the decision, however, we, more experienced users, can see the pitfalls of this ruling - mentioned in previous posts.

For example, someone walks into ABC company's office, cancelling XYZ' service but then getting a cancellation fee of say $1000 from XYZ because they hadn't read the contract (TOS), and/or hadn't returned the equipment. Also, calling XYZ may have put them in touch with the retentions department and provided them with a deal good enough not to bother with the hassle of switching providers - installation, delays, new bills to understand and straighten out, etc.

 

[parlar]

CRTC now requiring MUCH faster transfers

I think the important change is the time limits. Two days for home phone and 2.5 HOURS for cellular. See http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110318.htm for details.