OTTAWA – Just a few days ago, so many were so hopeful that the federal government would finally have something to say Tuesday on one of three issues: the oft-mentioned but never announced digital economy strategy; foreign investment in the communications sector; or the rules for the 700 MHz spectrum auction.
No such luck. Industry Minister Christian Paradis, in his speech closing the International Institute of Communications Canadian conference, agreed all those issues are important, but that he had nothing further to add.
“I know there has been a lot of interest and speculation about what I may have to say to you today,” he began. “Let me be crystal clear, or as we say in French: clair, net et précis. I have consulted with my Cabinet colleagues… we have deliberated… and I can tell you that Rick Mercer will not be the next Chairman of the CRTC.”
The short speech did touch upon the major issues facing the industry, but offered no new direction. “Our government wants to get the decisions before us right, so that Canadian consumers have access to a wide range of products and services at competitive prices,” said Paradis. But, “there are many competing definitions of what is the right decision.
“We are not looking at one discrete policy decision but rather a balance of interconnected decisions that must be considered in concert. This is what I am weighing… The 700 MHz spectrum is very valuable. I know my colleague (Finance Minister) Jim Flaherty has his eye on the revenues this might bring.”
The minister (pictured at the IIC podium) touched upon a couple of other issues, such as making sure rural Canadians are as well served as urban Canadians and the so far failed attempts to get the wireless industry to share tower space for cell sites. “I have also heard a number of concerns raised by all of you, regarding tower sharing and roaming. When it comes to these, the truth very much depends on who you speak to,” he said.
However, the decisions he referenced that his ministry and cabinet is looking at, won’t be rendered until the new year. “Some of you may be looking for an early Christmas present today… but I am afraid I am going to be a bit of Grinch,” he added.
After the speech, Globalive Canada and Wind Mobile CEO Anthony Lacavera was unimpressed.
“I think the big wireless companies like to see these decisions delayed. It’s a very cozy monopoly they’re enjoying right now,” he said. “I would have much-appreciated today a lot more specifics and clarity around the issues and more tactical announcements, such as: Here’s how roaming is going to work, here’s how tower-sharing is going to work, here’s how the 700 auction is going to have a set aside so the market players can really start to get organized to compete in that auction aggressively.”
It’s difficult to continue to wait as the world moves on ahead of Canada, Lacavera added. “That’s the biggest issue that we have. The big guys would like to see these decisions continue to be delayed because it maintains the status quo and in the status quo, they completely dominate the market.”
“And, they continue to wrap themselves in the Canadian flag with respect to media and how Canadian culture and sovereignty will be adversely affected if we have more foreign ownership in the telecommunications sector and that’s just not true. Infrastructure can be kept very separate from content.”
