Cellphone companies will no longer be allowed to charge customers to unlock their devices – under upcoming changes to Canada’s wireless code of conduct.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission also says all newly purchased devices must be unlocked – starting on December 1st – and  unsatisfied customers will be able to cancel contracts within 15 days – as long as the returned devices are in near-new condition – and haven’t used more than half of their monthly usage.

There’s also a clarification from the telecom regulator – that only the wireless account holder on family or shared plans – can consent to overage and roaming charges – that is unless others on the plan are expressly authorized to approve the costs.

And no matter how many devices are listed on a shared plan – data caps will be tied to single accounts.

And there’s more : the CRTC says wireless service providers cannot unilaterally change the key terms of a contract with a customer – for data services, voice or text.