The system access fee is a non-governmental surcharge imposed by most Canadian telephone companies on their customers' monthly bills.
For example, if a wireless plan has been advertised at $20/month, the customer subscribing to it would actually be paying an unadvertised rate of at least $26.95/month, excluding other fees and government taxes.
[4] On July 4, 2012, Rogers Wireless included the non-optional and non-governmental GRRF in the price for their monthly plans, such that the charge is no longer listed separately.
As a result, the carriers claim that the system access fee covers network operation and maintenance costs.
In 2006 a class action lawsuit was brought against the major carriers with respect to the System Access Fee.