by Christina Peden
The CRTC says they have found “clear instances of unjust discrimination” by Rogers after holding formal public proceedings to determine if certain wireless companies were employing discriminatory tactics in their roaming agreements with smaller competitors.
The findings indicate that Rogers imposed ‘exclusivity clauses’ on smaller wireless carriers that prohibited them from using networks from any other carrier. They also charged certain providers much higher roaming rates compared to other wireless carriers.
The CRTC is concerned that this kind of discrimination works against fair and sustainable competition in the Canadian wireless market. "Competition in the wireless industry benefits society and the economy by providing innovative communications services at reasonable prices”, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday. “Today's decision will help promote fairness and a better consumer experience with wireless for Canadians."
The announcement comes after the Harper government announced earlier this month that they would be auctioning off prime wireless spectrum in the 2500 MHz range, with 60% of the airwaves set aside for smaller providers like WIND, Mobilicity and Videotron. The auction is set to take place in April 2015, in a bid to spur competition between the Big Three and the smaller carriers.
The CRTC is also currently examining the competitive state of the Canadian wireless market and will hold a public hearing on the issue on September 29, 2014.
Source: CRTC
The CRTC says they have found “clear instances of unjust discrimination” by Rogers after holding formal public proceedings to determine if certain wireless companies were employing discriminatory tactics in their roaming agreements with smaller competitors.
The findings indicate that Rogers imposed ‘exclusivity clauses’ on smaller wireless carriers that prohibited them from using networks from any other carrier. They also charged certain providers much higher roaming rates compared to other wireless carriers.
The CRTC is concerned that this kind of discrimination works against fair and sustainable competition in the Canadian wireless market. "Competition in the wireless industry benefits society and the economy by providing innovative communications services at reasonable prices”, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday. “Today's decision will help promote fairness and a better consumer experience with wireless for Canadians."
The announcement comes after the Harper government announced earlier this month that they would be auctioning off prime wireless spectrum in the 2500 MHz range, with 60% of the airwaves set aside for smaller providers like WIND, Mobilicity and Videotron. The auction is set to take place in April 2015, in a bid to spur competition between the Big Three and the smaller carriers.
The CRTC is also currently examining the competitive state of the Canadian wireless market and will hold a public hearing on the issue on September 29, 2014.
Source: CRTC