Telus eliminates activation fees for mobile devices

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      Telus has scrapped the $35 activation fee it was charging new wireless customers.

      The Canadian telecom giant has also eliminated the $25 equipment-exchange fee renewing customers paid to buy a new mobile device.

      But, starting on November 1, Telus will begin charging $10 for SIM cards, leaving customers with a "net upfront saving", according to a news release issued today (October 15).

      Telus says it is the first of the "established brands" to get rid of activation fees.

      “The wireless industry and competitive landscape have changed over the years and with that, our customers’ needs have evolved,” Brent Johnston, vice-president for mobility solutions at Telus, said in the release. “Our customers have told us they feel activation and renewal fees are unfair. We have been listening and that’s why we’re giving them exactly what they’ve asked for.”

      It's unclear whether the company's Big Three competitors—Rogers and Bell Canada—will follow suit.

      Telus boasts 7.4 million wireless subscribers.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      iSheep

      Oct 15, 2012 at 2:03pm

      Don't be a Sheep use one of the lower priced newer Carriers.

      Support Competition sign up with other providers.

      This Bait & Switch drop one Fee introduce another is the same old tactics that these protected Telecoms have been using for years.

      I switched a long time ago, bye bye Telus...

      Invisible Hand

      Oct 15, 2012 at 10:42pm

      It's great to save money with a lower priced carrier but most lower priced carriers have a smaller network which means a higher chance for poor reception & dropped calls.

      The new carriers also tend to have less selection in terms of smartphone brands & models.

      Nunya Biznis

      Oct 16, 2012 at 6:21am

      The last 3 lines of my telus bill before I finally switched providers:

      Fees

      Miscellaneous Fees

      Other Fees

      Couldn't be happier with my new provider, who is actuallyowned by telus. However, the bills are simple and more than competitive, no long distance no bullshit.

      Telus sucks

      Oct 16, 2012 at 7:40am

      Telus is the leading long-term Canadian company to low-ball & under-cut to make a sale all the while out-sourcing all their job overseas ... they pay crap wages, yet hardly pass the savings on to customers. I know first hand - both my parents worked for BC Tel.

      At least (in the internet/cable world) Shaw employs locals & keeps the money here.

      GrumpyAuldScott

      Oct 17, 2012 at 8:22am

      Too little, too late.
      We need to stop protecting Canadian markets so that a few people get rich. Open them up so that the majority get a better deal.

      Bored

      Oct 19, 2012 at 12:11pm

      the best solution is stop using your phone. all phone conversations are empty meaningless chatter anyways. keep the airways clean and clear and especially silent. whatever happened to total silence? it's so beautiful

      GZLFB

      Oct 20, 2012 at 7:44pm

      Markets aren't protected, only specific businesses and their controlling stock holders are "protected," pretending it's a free market is silly. Your small Cafe is in a Cafe Market, it's capitalist, but it isn't protected like Blenz or Starbucks. It's more about protecting the Stock Market, not the Free Market.