The systems are operated by the former phone monopolies and are used to dispatch police, fire and ambulance services. The rest is pocketed alongside controversial “system access“ fees, which range from $6.95 at Rogers and Telus Corp. to $8.95 at Bell Canada Inc. and are the subject of a similar class-action suit that was certified in Saskatchewan last year.

Officials with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission say the regulator sets the monthly rates -- which average about 10 cents a subscriber -- in order to offset the cost of maintaining 911 telecommunications infrastructure across Canada.

While the CRTC acknowledges that wireless carriers may incur costs to connect their subscribers to 911 services, the regulator says it’s up to individual operators to justify higher 911 fees and says there is no requirement to break out a separate charge on subscriber bills. The 911 service charge is 75 cents at Bell and Telus.

Source: Winnipeg Sun