CRTC ASKED TO PROBE ROAMING FEES

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is asking the federal telecommunications regulator to look into wireless roaming fees, saying he's concerned about companies hiking their rates while phone bills in other jurisdictions are generally declining. In a letter to CRTC chairperson and CEO Vicky Eatrides, Champagne said the regulator's wireless code does not prevent carriers from increasing international roaming fees. However, the CRTC's code does include consumer protection provisions, such as those requiring service providers to notify users when roaming in another country and suspending charges without further consent once a user reaches $100 in fees. Telus and Bell this month both hiked their U.S. and international roaming rates. Champagne said companies could be using such increases to raise costs without consumers being aware.