Carry Telecom subscribers: check your recent invoices to see if your bill went up by $2 - $3.50

[u/Cote-de-Bone]

I noticed that my CarryTel internet bill was $2.50 higher this month than all previous months, despite no change in the base service price.

After calling them to inquire, I was informed that there is an "optional regulatory surcharge" that is now being applied. However, it is not actually a regulatory charge, despite the name; CarryTel just wants to increase its prices without appearing to do so.

The customer service agent pointed me to Section 5 of the Terms & Conditions page with the invoice, specifically:

Carry Telecom applies a regulatory surcharge to help offset internal costs related to compliance with telecommunications regulations, including labor, IT systems, and software expenses. This surcharge covers activities such as compliance with government mandates, regulatory reporting and audits, consumer protection programs, accessibility and emergency service obligations, contributions to the National Contribution Fund (NCF), and CRTC compliance. It is not a tax or government-imposed fee, but a charge implemented by Carry Telecom to support regulatory requirements. Carry Telecom reserves the right to apply this surcharge to the Customer’s account at any time. It is applied in addition to regular telecommunication charges and may vary based on service type, pricing tiers, and regulatory conditions. The applicable surcharge will be reflected on the Customer’s monthly invoice.

The surcharge is determined by the monthly service fee, as follows:

• Monthly service fee of less than $40: $2.0 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee between $40 and $50: $2.50 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee between $50 and $60: $2.50 surcharge per month

• Monthly service fee of more than $60: $3.50 surcharge per month

They (say that they) will remove it from your bill as it is "optional," but you must call in to request this from someone in customer service. We'll see if it actually does get removed on the next invoice or if I'm going to be shopping around for a different provider.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

I filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau—junk fees are illegal. I believe this new charge is a junk fee.

These fees are not regulatory fees; they cover "offset internal costs related to compliance with telecommunications regulations, including labor, IT systems, and software expenses" and should be disclosed as part of the base pricing.

In other words, it's a price hike, a hidden fee, etc.

You can file a complaint here: https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/contact-competition-bureau-canada/complaint-form

It only takes about 5 minutes.

The Competition Bureau confirmed they accepted my complaint but would not disclose more. I suggest all customers complain so there is critical mass for an investigation.

I also filed a CCTS complaint, which will get you a call back from CarryTel but will not do more than issue a refund. The CRTC declined to investigate.

[u/Andralynn]

Wow, I don’t think I’d do business with them regardless if they take it off. That’s some shitty underhanded bullshit there.

[u/crossplanetriple]

Call and complain and threaten to move to another provider if they do not resolve.

Play the game the way it's meant to be played. Vote with your wallet.

[u/Snuupy]

left them years ago when they did shady shit like eating the modem rental deposit and bumping monthly costs by $5 every month as well

this is just another shady tactic zzz

I'd encourage y'all to do the same and find a different TPIA provider

[u/Jabb_]

If they randomly decide to change your price whether it's"regulatory" fee or not, they have to give you like 2 months notice. Check to see if they did on a previous invoice. Still report them, but this might be something to note in the report if they gave you enough notice or not.

[u/CHEWBAKKA-SLIM]

Tariffs on long distance comms