CALGARY and FT. LAUDERDALE – American voice over IP provider Zingotel has filed a $1.2 million civil suit in Alberta against Shaw Communications.
Zingo, Inc. warned in January it would file a lawsuit, which it did late last week. It also said the CRTC can expect to hear from it as well. Zingo alleges that Shaw Communications CEO Jim Shaw personally told Corus Entertainment executives not to run ads for Zingotel’s service on any Corus channels, after Zingotel had booked the ads. The statement does not say which channels had the ads booked. Shaw and Corus are owned and controlled by the Shaw family.
Zingotel "further alleges that Shaw did so to unfairly restrict ZingoTel’s ability to advertise its lower cost VoIP services. ZingoTel will also be formally requesting that the CRTC investigate Shaw’s abusive, anti-competitive actions," says the company’s statement.
“As VOIP technology becomes established in Canada we believe that all Canadians have the right to the lowest price service possible. Zingotel is proud to provide the lowest price service to Canadian clients and will not be deterred by cable giants who are attempting to control all household technology by bundling cell phone, television, internet and now VOIP. Consumers are forced to pay higher prices and receive lower quality service. Competition creates a stronger and healthier marketplace and Zingotel is happy to be part of this healthy competition.”
The lawsuit follows a CRTC complaint against Shaw by fellow VOIP service provider Vonage, as reported here. Vonage claims Shaw introduced a $10 per month service fee for subscribers utilizing a third party VOIP service. Shaw, of course, has a different point of view.
Zingotel’s statement also says it will launch a new marketing campaign in Western Canada soon.
Shaw Communications president Peter Bissonnette told www.cartt.ca Wednesday that Shaw has had no dealings with Zingotel and that it had no comment on the lawsuit, other than to say he felt Zingotel has "no grounds" for a lawsuit.
"It just sounds like one of those VOIP companies, a-la Vonage, trying to stir the pot," he said.
