TORONTO – The latest regulatory skirmish between an incumbent wireless operator and the new kids with the spectrum is “about fat cats looking to get fatter,” according to Public Mobile’s CEO Alek Krstajic.
In an e-mail to Cartt.ca, the former Rogers and Bell executive lashed out at Rogers Communications request for a review into the ownership of both Public and DAVE Wireless.
Rogers said in a letter to the Regulator that the ownership of both companies may not be sufficiently Canadian, as our regulations require, and that the Commission should analyze them in a public hearing, as Cartt.ca reported first last week.
“Industry Canada created an auction to fan competition and now the incumbents are making a futile attempt to stem the competitive environment. This would only serve to keep prices high and reduce competition which hurts customers,” added Krstajic.
“Public Mobile is backed by multiple Canadian investors including an investment of $50M from OMERS private equity, making them the largest shareholder in Public Mobile. OMERS commitment to Public Mobile was publicly announced last January and is no secret to Rogers.
“Rogers simply chose to ignore this information and intentionally mislead the CRTC,” he added.
– Greg O’Brien
