CNOC Applauds the Government for Taking Leadership to Make More Affordable Wireless Service Options Available to Canadians

TORONTO, June 5, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadian Network Operators Consortium Inc. (CNOC) applauds the government and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for taking leadership to provide Canadians with greater choices of affordable high-speed Internet services.  

Today, the Minister announced that the CRTC will be asked to reconsider a decision that impacted the types of wireless options available to Canadians. That decision had the effect of creating barriers to new types of affordable wireless services that are provided over Wi-Fi first, along with wireless coverage from a large national wireless carrier when end-users are away from Wi-Fi access. Wi-Fi first services are a form of wireless services that can be offered by Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) who provide services using wholesale wireless services from the large national wireless carriers.

"CNOC agrees with the Minister's statements about the importance of the availability of competitive service choices and affordable high-speed Internet services to all Canadians," said Matt Stein, CNOC's Vice-Chair and CEO of Distributel. "With respect to wireless services, new types of wireless services, competitive choices, and increased competition from MVNO service providers are necessary to enable all Canadians to benefit from increased choice, new innovative services and affordable prices."

CNOC has consistently advocated for fair access to the wholesale wireless services of the large national wireless carriers. This access is critical to enable competitors to provide Canadians with greater competitive choices of wireless services and more affordable wireless service options.

"The Minister's announcement sets out a path to ensuring that new types of wireless services are available to Canadians. We are encouraged by the government's continued leadership and their focus on advancing the interests of Canadians and competition in the telecommunication market. We look forward to continuing to work to ensure that competitors have access to all of the wholesale wireless services necessary to provide highly competitive, innovative and affordable wireless services to Canadians" stated Michael Garbe, CNOC's Chair and CEO of Accelerated Connections.

About CNOC
CNOC is comprised of 36 competitive telecommunications providers that operate wireline and/or wireless networks in many regions of Canada. CNOC's mission is to increase the level of competitive choice and innovation in the delivery of communications services to Canadians.

SOURCE Canadian Network Operators Consortium Inc.

For information or interviews contact: Matt Stein at [phone] or [email protected], www.cnoc.ca