Bell, Telus face class action lawsuit

Link: thestar.com – Bell, Telus face class action over texting fee

Well here’s one for the “You could see that coming a mile away” category…

MONTREAL – Two of Canada’s cellphone giants are being served with another a class action lawsuit in Quebec over plans to charge customers for incoming text messages.

A Montreal law firm has filed its second class action suit in two weeks, this time against both Bell Mobility Inc. (TSX: BCE) and Telus Communications Inc. (TSX: T), on behalf of a Quebec man.

Eric Cormier, a Bell Mobility subscriber for the past decade, initiated the suit saying both companies are acting illegally by unilaterally changing the terms of cellular contracts with their clients.

Both cellphone companies have announced plans to charge customers 15 cents per incoming text message, with Bell introducing the charge on Aug. 8 and Telus on Aug. 24.

The law firm of Saint-Pierre Grenier filed a separate class action lawsuit against Telus on July 14.

Until now, incoming text messages have not been subject to charges.