Rogers, Bell, and Telus Argue in Favour of Free-Market Wireless Auction

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Rogers, Bell, and Telus Argue in Favour of Free-Market Wireless Auction

6:30 am on June 15, 2007 | Category: Business, Telecom Services, Wireless, Cellular, Regulation

Canada’s three nationwide cell phone carriers presented a united front at this week’s Canadian Telecom Summit, in hopes of stopping smaller provincial telecos from manipulating federal regulators in favour of a controlled airwaves auction.

Manitoba’s incumbent telecom provider, MTS Allstream, has been pressuring the CRTC to reserve space in the next wireless spectrum sale for “new entrants” into the Canadian cell phone market. MTS, along with regional cable companies like Shaw and Videotron, believe that favouring new bidders will spur increased competition in the wireless sector, and create an all-round better market for consumers.

Existing wireless providers, Rogers, Bell, and Telus, however, see preferential treatment for smaller carriers as an unjust violation of free market principles.

“Put your money where your mouth is and enter this business without subsidies,” commented Bell Mobility’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Lawson Hunter, to the regional challengers.

Canada’s next wireless auction is set to take place early next year, and is expected to shape the country’s mobile phone landscape for many years to come.