Cybrid
12-16-2007, 08:41 AM
Shock at $85k mobile phone bill.
A Canadian man has been shocked to receive a mobile phone bill for nearly $85,000 (£41,000).
Piotr Staniaszek thought he could use his new phone as a modem for his computer under his $10 unlimited mobile browser plan from Bell Mobility.
He downloaded high-definition movies and other large files unaware that this incurred massive extra charges.
Bell Mobility has since lowered the bill to $3,243, but Mr Staniaszek says he intends to fight the charges anyway.
'Nobody told me'
The 22-year-old oil-field worker from Calgary said he thought a first bill for $65,000 in November was a mistake.
When he spoke to Bell Mobility he was informed the bill had climbed to nearly $85,000 after more downloading.
"I'm going to try and fight it, because I didn't know about the extra charges"
Piotr Staniaszek
He said he normally paid about $150 a month for his phone and used to be notified of high charges.
"The thing is, they've cut my phone off for being like $100 over," he told CBC News.
"Here, I'm $85,000 over and nobody bothered to give me a call and tell me what was going on."
Bell Mobility said they would lower the bill to $3,243 in a "goodwill gesture" to match the best data plan available for using mobile phones as a modem, the Globe and Mail reported.
The trouble stems from the new phone he received when he renewed his mobile phone contract.
The new model allows him to connect with his computer and download data.
"I told them I wasn't aware I would be charged for hooking up my phone to the computer. I'm going to try and fight it, because I didn't know about the extra charges."
Canadians complain that their mobile phone charges are much higher for comparable service in the United States.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/americas/7141935.stm)
Wow! a cautionary tale against violating your carrier's TOS.
A Canadian man has been shocked to receive a mobile phone bill for nearly $85,000 (£41,000).
Piotr Staniaszek thought he could use his new phone as a modem for his computer under his $10 unlimited mobile browser plan from Bell Mobility.
He downloaded high-definition movies and other large files unaware that this incurred massive extra charges.
Bell Mobility has since lowered the bill to $3,243, but Mr Staniaszek says he intends to fight the charges anyway.
'Nobody told me'
The 22-year-old oil-field worker from Calgary said he thought a first bill for $65,000 in November was a mistake.
When he spoke to Bell Mobility he was informed the bill had climbed to nearly $85,000 after more downloading.
"I'm going to try and fight it, because I didn't know about the extra charges"
Piotr Staniaszek
He said he normally paid about $150 a month for his phone and used to be notified of high charges.
"The thing is, they've cut my phone off for being like $100 over," he told CBC News.
"Here, I'm $85,000 over and nobody bothered to give me a call and tell me what was going on."
Bell Mobility said they would lower the bill to $3,243 in a "goodwill gesture" to match the best data plan available for using mobile phones as a modem, the Globe and Mail reported.
The trouble stems from the new phone he received when he renewed his mobile phone contract.
The new model allows him to connect with his computer and download data.
"I told them I wasn't aware I would be charged for hooking up my phone to the computer. I'm going to try and fight it, because I didn't know about the extra charges."
Canadians complain that their mobile phone charges are much higher for comparable service in the United States.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/americas/7141935.stm)
Wow! a cautionary tale against violating your carrier's TOS.