Quebecor, the parent company of Videotron, has announced its vision to change the Canadian wireless landscape. CEO Pierre Dion today outlined the company’s goals speaking at the 2014 Canadian Telecom Summit.
Dion says the company wants to bring a new low-cost wireless service to Canada, similar to the data and roaming plans available in Europe and Australia.
“Our vision is to provide Canadians with a new high quality, low-cost wireless choice and real wireless competition,” said Mr. Dion. “We aim to deliver real low-cost wireless plans for consumers, real wireless competition, and a real new offering in the Canadian marketplace. Under the right conditions, we are ready, willing and able to become Canada’s “fourth wireless competitor.”
The plan for Videotron is to offer those outside Quebec “the country’s best low-cost subscriber plans.” Videotron was able to win 7 licenses in the federal government’s recent 700MHz spectrum auction, giving it the potential to launch in Alberta, BC, Ontario.
Quebecor is pushing hard for fair roaming rates to be charged by the ‘Big 3’ and says it needs a level playing field to compete:
“With a fair, competitive and level playing field on roaming, the stage will be set for a new era of consumer choice in Canada. It will benefit consumers, small businesses, and the economy at large,” added Mr. Dion. “It will be the dawn of a new sustainable and viable low-cost wireless service.”
To further its goal of spreading the word, the company has created a new website called AffordableWireless.ca, which spreads its low-cost wireless message with the tagline “Reducing wireless costs is everyone’s call” to lobby the government.
Below are tweets comparing how Videotron’s plans in Ontario compares to Rogers, Telus and Bell:
Effects of new wireless competition on consumer prices #cts14 #cndpoli #cndtech pic.twitter.com/spjW13L5ez
— Wireless For Less (@wirelessforless) June 18, 2014
Price comparaisons, Vidéotron Qc Plans vs Big Three Ontario Plans #cts14 #cndpoli #cndtech pic.twitter.com/Ie9q0rGDP9
— Wireless For Less (@wirelessforless) June 18, 2014
Looks like Quebecor is ready to take Videotron national—but they won’t do it unless they get fair roaming rates from the Big 3. Last month former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was named the Chairman and CEO of Quebecor, most likely to leverage his connections in Ottawa.
Would you switch over to Videotron if they become Canada’s viable ‘fourth’ wireless carrier? This is great news for everyone if it can come to fruition.
