Canada is preparing a welcome change for mobile and home internet users. Starting June 12, 2026, telecommunications companies will no longer be able to charge customers certain fees for signing up for a new plan, changing an existing plan, or canceling a service.
The decision was made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, better known as the CRTC. The regulator explains that such fees often created an unnecessary barrier for people: a customer might find a better rate or a more attractive offer from another company but would put off switching because of the additional charges.
Now the CRTC wants to make the market simpler and more transparent for consumers. The idea is simple: if a person wants to change their plan, switch to another provider, or cancel their service, they shouldn’t have to pay extra just for making the change.
According to CRTC Chair and CEO Vicky Eatrides, this decision is intended to give Canadians more control over their mobile and internet services. People will be able to switch to better terms more easily without worrying that they’ll be unexpectedly billed a separate fee for changing their plan or canceling a service.
What exactly will change
In practice, this means that telecom companies will not be able to charge a separate fee for activating a new retail telecommunications service plan or for changing an existing plan. Also, in certain cases, early cancellation fees—charges for terminating a contract early—will be prohibited if the customer did not receive a subsidized device as part of the contract.
In other words, if a person did not receive a phone, router, or other device at a discount or as part of a special subsidy from the provider, the company must not charge a fee simply because the customer wants to terminate the contract or change the service.
At the same time, it is important to understand that not all possible fees will disappear entirely. The CRTC allows exceptions for reasonable costs associated with the physical installation of the service at home, as well as for additional products or services that the customer has explicitly agreed to purchase. For example, if a technician’s visit is required to connect the internet or a person voluntarily orders additional equipment or a separate service, such costs may remain.
Who is affected by the new rules
The new rules will apply to individual and small business mobile service customers, as well as individual home internet customers of providers subject to the Internet Code. It is through these codes that the CRTC is implementing changes, updating existing consumer protection rules.
For ordinary Canadians, this could be a significant change. The mobile and internet market here is often criticized for high prices, and additional fees made comparing plans even more difficult. A person might have found a better plan but ended up staying with their old one because switching seemed inconvenient or expensive.
After June 12, it should be easier for customers to compare offers from different companies and choose the option that truly fits their needs in terms of price, speed, data allowance, or service quality. This could increase competition among providers, as it will be harder for companies to retain customers solely by creating additional barriers.
Why this matters for newcomers and families
This change could be particularly helpful for newcomers to Canada. After moving, many people sign up for the first mobile or internet plan they come across because they need to quickly get connectivity, a phone number, and access to their bank, work, documents, and housing. Later, they may find a better plan, but they don’t always understand what fees they’ll have to pay to switch. The new rules are intended to make this process clearer and less risky.
This is also important for families. If there are several mobile lines in the household, even small activation or change fees can add up to a significant amount. Eliminating these fees means families will be able to more easily review their plans and switch to cheaper or more convenient options.
What Else the CRTC Is Working On
The CRTC’s work doesn’t end there. The regulator is also working on a broader consumer protection plan for the telecom sector. Among the areas already under consideration are better notifications for customers before promotions, discounts, or special rates end. This should help people avoid situations where a promotional price has expired and their bill suddenly becomes significantly higher.
Another area of focus is improving self-service options. The CRTC is exploring ways to make it easier for customers to change or cancel services on their own: through a personal account, an app, or other convenient channels, without lengthy calls to customer support or complicated procedures.
The CRTC is also working to make information about home internet more understandable. This involves standardizing the presentation of data on rates, costs, speeds, and service terms so that people can more easily compare offers from different providers.
When the decision takes effect
The decision to eliminate certain fees was announced on March 12, 2026, but it will take effect on June 12, 2026. This transition period is necessary for companies to update their systems, billing, and internal processes.
For customers, the key is to know their rights. If, after June 12, a provider attempts to charge a fee for activation, changing a plan, or canceling a service, it’s worth asking on what grounds this is being done. If it doesn’t involve physical installation, an add-on product, or a subsidized device, such a fee may violate the new rules.
Conclusion
Overall, this decision appears to be a step in the right direction for Canadian consumers. It won’t make mobile service and internet instantly cheaper, but it will remove some of the unnecessary barriers that have prevented people from freely choosing better terms.
For users, this means more flexibility. For providers, it means more competition. And for the market as a whole, it means a little more transparency and fewer unpleasant surprises on bills.