Rogers Asks Ottawa for “Fair and Level Playing Field” in Wireless Sector

Rogers has issued a press release asking the Federal Government for a fair wireless sector and has outlined three specific requests:

• Offer equal bidding rights in the 700 MHz auction – give Canadian carriers the same rights as large foreign incumbents
• Create an open environment – if a Canadian wireless player seeks a buyer, everyone should be able to bid
• Strengthen auction rollout requirements – ensure foreign carriers invest and build a national network in rural areas

Nadir Mohamed, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers Communications, had this to say:

“We share the government’s goal of a competitive, world leading wireless sector,”

“Unfortunately the government’s current policies have resulted in unintended consequences that allow massive foreign companies like Verizon to take advantage of loopholes and get special advantages over Canadian companies. We welcome competition, we’re just asking for a fair and level playing field.”

Rogers argues the situation has put our existing wireless sector in jeopardy, in particular the 280,000 Canadians in high value jobs and the $50 billion contributed to the national economy from the incumbents combined.

The company and its Board of Directors say they have taken “unprecedented action” of composing a joint letter to Prime Minster Harper to seek further talks on the matter. The company also recently called on its employees to write to the Federal Government and their local MPs as well.

Yesterday, Industry Minister James Moore released a statement reaffirming Ottawa’s wireless policy will go ahead as planned, despite the recent vocal public opposition by Rogers, TELUS and Bell, which some consumer groups have labeled as “trying to scare Canadians with misinformation.”