TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications is
calling on the federal government to engage in an informed and
constructive dialogue to ensure Canada's wireless sector remains competitive
and world leading.
Today's current rules give an unfair advantage to huge American
players over Canadian incumbents who have invested billions to
build Canada's wireless industry.
Current spectrum auction rules mean they can purchase twice as much
700 MHz spectrum as the Canadian incumbents with minimal network
rollout requirements.
"We share the government's goal of a competitive, world leading
wireless sector," said Nadir
Mohamed, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers
Communications. "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."
Specifically we're asking the federal government to:
- 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
This is a critical issue for Canada and Canadians. Canada's three established wireless carriers
employ more than 280,000 Canadians in high value jobs and
contribute more than $50 billion a
year to our nation's economy. Additionally each year the three
companies collectively give more than $130
million, in cash and in-kind, to make our communities
stronger and more vibrant.
Rogers and its Board of Directors have taken the unprecedented
action of writing a joint letter to the Prime Minister of
Canada expressing our concerns and
requesting a meeting to further discuss this important issue.
Rogers looks forward to meeting with the Prime Minister directly on
this matter.
"We're at a critical time in our industry," said Mohamed. "We
believe it's essential to take a step back and make sure we have
the right regulatory policy that will meet the current and future
needs of Canadians while ensuring our sector is strong and vibrant
for years to come. We look forward to having a constructive and
informed dialogue on this issue."
About Rogers
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications
and media company. We are Canada's
largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services
and one of Canada's leading
providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony.
Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television
broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications,
sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on
the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.