We’ve told you about the major Canada’s carriers’ “Fair for Canada” initiative. The government of Canada has its own, different point of view on this, hence it launched the “More Choices” website, featuring a bunch of facts, quotes and “tools” for Canadians to make informed choices of their wireless needs. The idea here is to deliver “More choice. Lower prices. Better service” to wireless customers in Canada, while helping end-users “cut through the noise.”
James Moore, Minister of Industry, says that the (Conservative) government is “standing up for Canadian consumers” and it seems this includes letting in foreign players to the market. Not sure Verizon is still interested now that it’s pursuing to buy Verizon Wireless’ shares from Vodafone, but you never know.
The Big 3 Canadian carriers (TELUS, Bell and Rogers) don’t want to see foreign players having an easy ride. According to their “manifesto,” they’re looking to compete on a level playing field and that any flexibility the government gives to an outside company “will have massive consequences for Canadians.”
As we said before, we do see where the carriers are coming from while at the same time supporting the government’s initiative to spice-up the market with another player. After all, up until the government reacted, these same carriers which are now craving for “fairness” offered way-too-long three-year contracts like it’s nobody’s business. On the other hand, I don’t see a point giving Verizon or any other big company a preferred treatment in the local market. What do you think?
[Via: MobileSyrup]