Bell, Rogers and TELUS have been waging a very public relations campaign over the rules that will drive the next Canadian spectrum auction. They are concerned that current rules will give foreign wireless firms an unfair advantage. It appears that those protests have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to the Canadian government as Prime Minister Stephen Harper today […]
Spectrum auction
New Canadian telecom ownership rules to take effect in June?
Earlier this month, Industry Canada announced new foreign ownership rules for the telecom sector. The current rules were loosened to allow foreign companies to take full ownership of a carrier with less than a 10 percent market share. Citing unnamed sources, The Globe and Mail reports they could take effect before the end of June. The necessary amendments to the […]
WIND Mobile CEO denies imminent management shakeup
WIND Mobile CEO Anthony Lacavera today dismissed rumours that a management shakeup was coming to the Canadian carrier. “There is no management shuffle planned at Wind Canada,” CEO Anthony Lacavera said in an e-mail on Monday. “A lot of progress has been made and I am very proud of our team.” Speculation began shortly after the Canadian government loosened foreign […]
Canadian carriers respond to Industry Canada telecom announcement
After yesterday’s announcement by Industry Canada that foreign ownership rules for the telecom sector would be loosened up ahead of the 2013 700MHz spectrum auction, Canada’s carriers expressed their opinions. As expected, responses vary quite a bit. MTS Allstream:“This is a positive development for MTS Allstream and for Canadians and Canadian businesses,” said Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer, MTS Allstream. […]
Industry Canada announces spectrum auction and foreign ownership rules
The Canadian government today finally announced updated foreign ownership rules along with details about its next spectrum auction. The new rules are expected to bring about greater competition. “Our government has taken significant action to promote competition in the wireless sector, and our decisions have helped to reduce mobile wireless prices for Canadian families by 10 percent since 2008,” said […]
Industry Canada to announce next spectrum auction details today?
The Canadian government may be about to finally announce the details for the next spectrum auction (covering spectrum in the 700 and 2,500MHz bands). According to The Globe and Mail, Industry Minister Christian Paradis is scheduled to make a telecom policy announcement at 16:15 ET after financial markets close. The announcement could also announce a decision about foreign investment in […]
Mobilicity calls for ‘spectrum screen’ in upcoming Canadian spectrum auction
With Industry Canada yet to announce details about its next spectrum auction, Canadian carriers have been busy providing their input on how the auction should be run. Mobilicity, which last week released a cartoon summarizing its position, today called on the Canadian government to implement a ‘Spectrum Screen’ like the one used in the U.S. The idea behind this screen […]
Mobilicity outlines spectrum auction position through “Twist” cartoon
Mobilicity today stated its position on the upcoming Canadian wireless spectrum auction with the following cartoon: Mobilicity President and CEO Stewart Lyons painted a grim picture if the government does not set aside spectrum for the smaller players: “For Mobilicity, acquiring more spectrum in the upcoming Federal Government auction is a must-have – not a nice-to-have. Our current 3G technology […]