Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 6396368

Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice this week issued a statement attacking the country's two leading wireless operators for their "ill-thought-out" decision to charge users 15 cents for each incoming text message.

"Chastising them for raising 'serious concerns, particularly with regard to charges for unsolicited, unwanted, spam text messages,' Prentice has summoned the top executives of the companies to Ottawa to explain themselves before Bell Mobility starts charging 15 cents per incoming text message on Aug. 8 for its pay-per-use customers," writes Canwest News Service's Sarah Schmidt. "Telus plans to institute the new fee on Aug. 24."

The Calgary Herald's Paula Arab agrees with Prentice. "Consumers should sign petitions, call their MPs, and bombard Bell and telus with text messages, telling them what they think of this move to gouge loyal customers. (It's unlikely phone companies will charge themselves for incoming texts.) This is one business strategy deserving of its own ring tone; one that would sound something like this: Rip Rip Rip Off!"

More here from CTV.ca ... more here from CBC News ... more here from Reuters ... more here from the Globe and Mail ... and more here from the National Post.