Mobilicity has confirmed to MobileSyrup.com that it is looking at taking legal action against Rogers Communications over the launch of chatr wireless, its new flanker brand. Mobilicity sees chatr as a short-term play by Rogers to eliminate new competitors. According to Stewart Lyons, COO of Mobilicity:
“Things like Chatr only started launching when the new entrants came on the scene. Without long term sustained competition for the big 3, I dare say that I don’t believe affordability and value will remain in Canada’s wireless sector for the consumer. If we’re not around the consumer won’t win in the long term…”
Mobilicity views the launch of chatr wireless as a contravention of the Competition Act which prevents the “use of fighting brands selectively on a temporary basis to discipline or eliminate a competitor.”
Among the options that Mobilicity is considering are civil litigation, a complaint to the competition tribunal, and a complaint to regulatory authorities.