Rogers Adjusts Fees Following CRTC Regulatory Ban
The telecommunications firm is introducing new charges to recover revenue after federal regulators prohibited administrative fees.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Rogers Communications is implementing new device setup and shipping fees to recover costs following a June 2026 CRTC ban on certain administrative charges. Regulators are now reviewing whether these new fees, alongside practices at Bell Canada and Telus, violate the federal ruling.
Why it matters
The CRTC enacted the fee ban to simplify the process for customers looking to switch internet and cellphone plans. Rogers claims the new charges are distinct from banned fees, while the regulator continues to investigate if the initiatives circumvent the policy intent.
Rogers reported $5.44 billion in total revenue for the third quarter, with monthly churn for net postpaid mobile subscribers reaching 1.03 per cent. The company introduced a $40 device setup fee and a $25 shipping charge in mid-June following regulatory changes.
The players
Rogers Communications
This major Canadian telecommunications company provides wireless, cable, and media services to millions of customers across the country.
CRTC
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is the public agency responsible for regulating communication companies in Canada.
Bell Canada
As one of Canada's largest telecommunications providers, this corporation is also currently under review by the CRTC regarding its fee structures.
Telus
This national telecommunications giant is facing regulatory scrutiny alongside Rogers and Bell regarding compliance with recent administrative fee bans.
The details
Rogers maintains that the new device setup fees represent optional service purchases and that shipping and SIM card fees were not newly introduced costs. Despite these adjustments, the company saw postpaid mobile phone net subscriber additions drop to 6,000 for the quarter, compared to 62,000 in the same period last year.
Timeline
The CRTC ban on certain telecommunications administrative fees took effect in June 2026.
Rogers introduced new device setup and shipping fees in mid-June 2026.
The third quarter for Rogers Communications ended on September 30, 2026.
Rogers completed a $4.35-billion purchase of its remaining stake in MLSE in October 2026.
The company targets the first half of 2027 to close the sale of a minority interest in its sports assets.
The Tech Race
This development follows a pattern set by the CRTC telecommunications administrative fee ban, which restricts how service providers can charge for customer account changes. It illustrates the ongoing tension between regulatory mandates aimed at consumer protection and the financial strategies employed by major networks.
Customers may notice new line items for shipping and device setup on their monthly invoices as the provider seeks to recover lost administrative revenue. These charges directly affect the total cost of upgrading hardware, potentially limiting the financial benefits of switching or renewing plans.
The takeaway
The shifting fee landscape highlights the complexity of balancing regulatory compliance with corporate revenue targets. Consumers should carefully review their mobile service contracts to identify any new operational charges that may affect their long-term expenses.
Further reading
For more information on industry trends, visit the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delta Optimist.
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