CRTC bans activation fees, allows customers with their own phones to cancel without penalty

​

Posted March12, 2026

​​

Telecom companies will no longer be allowed to charge most activation or plan-change fees, and wireless customers who bring their own phones will be able to cancel service without penalty under new rules from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

​

The changes take effect June 12, 2026 and apply to providers such as Bell Canada and Rogers Communications.

​

Under the revised Wireless Code, customers who sign up for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) wireless plans — meaning they use a phone they already own or purchase outright — cannot be charged an early cancellation fee. In practice, that means those customers will be able to cancel service at any time without a financial penalty.

​

The Commission also banned what it defines as “activation or modification fees,” charges that have long appeared on customer bills simply for starting a service or changing a plan.

​

Wireless customers have often faced one-time activation or connection charges of roughly $50 to $70 when opening a new account. Internet customers have similarly encountered account setup or plan-change fees when modifying services.

​

Under the new rules, telecom companies will no longer be permitted to charge those fees.

​

Not all upfront costs are eliminated. Providers may still charge reasonable installation fees when a technician must physically install equipment at a customer’s home, such as connecting fibre internet or cable service. Charges tied to optional equipment or add-on services chosen by the customer also remain permissible.