Cable / Telecom News

Northwestel competitors ask CRTC for share of funding


WHITEHORSE – Northwestel competitors Ice Wireless and Iristel have upped the ante in their opposition to the incumbent’s proposal to tie its infrastructure upgrade to benefits stemming from Bell’s pending acquisition of Astral Media. Earlier this week, the wireless upstarts denounced Northwestel's attempt to direct $40 million from its parent company Bell Canada to build infrastructure, and encouraged the CRTC to reject the proposal.  But on Thursday, Ice and Iristel said that if that proposal is approved, the funds should be made available to all telcos building infrastructure and innovation in Canada’s North. "If this $40 million public benefits is allowed,...