The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that the federal telecom regulator is ordering companies to stop charging fees that prevent customers from switching to another Internet or cellphone plan, part of its effort to improve competition and affordability. The Globe's Irene Galea writes that these fees cost consumers as much as $80 in certain circumstances, and have been on the rise in recent years, though the telcos have started waiving some fees for customers who use on-line tools instead of in-person service. This includes any fee incurred while activating a new plan, modifying an existing one or cancelling early, the CRTC said in a regulatory document. As of June 12, the companies will no longer be allowed to charge these fees, whose main purpose is to discourage customers from switching plans, according to the CRTC. BCE's Bell, Rogers and Telus currently charge $80 activation fees on certain wireless plans. "These fees can often be avoided by purchasing through online channels or during promotional periods and by negotiating with staff," said BMO analyst Tim Casey in a note Thursday. He estimated that activation fees charged by Bell, Rogers and Telus wireless phone subscribers could total $100-million.