Telus is calling out rivals Bell and Rogers for what it describes as anti-competitive behaviour that’s hurting consumers and limiting competition in Canada’s telecom and TV markets.
At the ongoing CRTC hearings today, June 26, Telus said the Canadian broadcasting market has changed dramatically, especially since Rogers acquired Shaw and a new wholesale internet framework came into effect. These changes now put Telus in direct competition with Bell and Rogers for internet and TV subscribers across Canada.
But Telus says Bell and Rogers are using their control over content and media to shut it out.
“Bell Media has refused Telus access to its TV content in Ontario and Quebec,” said Telus VP Stephen Schmidt. This means Telus customers in cities like Toronto and Montreal can’t access channels like TSN, Crave, or CTV News.
Telus claims the reason is clear: “Bell Media is refusing access… to prevent Telus from offering competitive TV and Internet bundles in Bell’s incumbent territories.”
Also, Telus says Rogers won’t allow Telus to advertise on any of its TV or radio stations, calling it another example of behaviour that “wants to reduce competition for TV and Internet subscribers,” specifically in Ontario, BC and Alberta where both compete.
The company is urging the CRTC to update its rules and prevent big telecom companies from blocking content and advertising access.
“These actions by Bell and Rogers are part of a multi-pronged attempt to thwart Telus’ ability to compete for TV and Internet customers so they can insulate themselves from increased retail competition,” said the company.
Telus says its proposals will help Canadians by making TV and internet services more affordable and giving people more options, while also helping Canadian content creators in both traditional and online media.
Bell spoke last week at the CRTC, urging the commission to raise the price of basic cable. Rogers also presented last week on the same day as Bell, asking the CRTC to reduce outdated regulations on Canadian TV providers like itself, arguing that current rules unfairly favour foreign streaming giants and limit its ability to compete and innovate, among other things.
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Easier solution: service providers should be banned from content production and ownership. Vertical integration should be illegal.
What – you mean make monopolies illegal? How un-Canadian is that….
I didn’t mention monopolies, I mentioned vertical integration.
Semantics buddy, either way you are cornering the market.
Monopolies and vertical integration by definition is cornering the market, I’ve been expressing being against that. Learn to read.
Dude, supersize your fries or something and chill out.
Lol imagine telling someone to chill out after being called out for not being chill yourself.
I applaud Bell and Rogers for helping people to avoid the worst telecommunications company in Canada.