7/30/2019 Letter: Online Innovators Demand Choice in Canadas Cell Phone Markets

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OpenMedia brings together citizens, public interest organizations, and businesses who believe in

the importance of open and affordable access to the Internet.

The Honourable Christian Paradis, P.C. M.P.Minister of IndustryOffice of the Minister of Industry

C.D. Howe Building235 Queen Street, Room 1138DOttawa, Ontario K1A 0H5Re: Business Leaders, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs Object to Rogers Plan toObtain Assets Set-aside for StartupsDear Minister Paradis:

We are writing in regards to the recently announced plans for both Rogers Communicationsto obtain scarce wireless spectrum assets that were previously set aside for new more

affordable telecom options (new entrants) in Canada.

Nearly 94% of the cell phone market in Canada is already controlled by just three incumbenttelecom companies. Canadians pay some of the highest prices for some of the worst servicein the industrialized world. OpenMedia.cas recent report, Time For An Upgrade, shows thatCanadians face systemic mistreatment from cell phone companies. We should be workingtowards telecom solutions that make Canada more globally competitive and we certainlyshould not be putting up roadblocks for telecom startups.

As business people who are proud to contribute to a robust economy, we feel that affordablemobile access is necessary to drive our country forward. This access has the potential to

allow Canada to foster a culture of digital innovation and to encourage citizens to develop thedigital technology skills and acumen required to be successful in the 21st century.

As innovators, entrepreneurs and business representatives, we share the view that Rogersplan to block new telecom services from reaching Canadians promises to stifle innovationand economic development in Canada. Granting Rogers access to assets set aside for newtelecom startups will likely lead to increased telecom costs for Canadians and business.Increased costs for those participating in our digital economy will put downward pressure onone of the most promising sectors of the country and the economy in general.

Our understanding is that if Rogers obtains startup assets they will be in clear conflict withboth the letter and spirit of the Industry Canada AWS spectrum auction rules. You, MinisterParadis, have the ability to enforce the governments rules for cell phone service and we arepuzzled and dismayed that you have so far refused to do so.

We are joining over 34,000 Canadians, public interest groups and experts to put forward thefollowing statement:

7/30/2019 Letter: Online Innovators Demand Choice in Canadas Cell Phone Markets

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OpenMedia brings together citizens, public interest organizations, and businesses who believe in

the importance of open and affordable access to the Internet.

The government should stand up for telecom choice and affordability in Canada. Bigincumbent telecom providers should not be allowed to block access to affordablemobile phone and Internet options.

Please Stop Rogers from obtaining scarce wireless spectrum assets that were set-aside for

new entrant providers. Industry Canada should act quickly to liberate the spectrum licensesin question and reauction this digital asset so that telecom startups can use the spectrum toprovide new innovative solutions for Canadians. If you do not take action this wirelessspectrum will sit unused until September 2014 pushing Canada further behind the rest of theworld with regards to wireless choice.

In addition, to help enforce the rules on the books now, we hope Industry Canada's currentspectrum consultation will provide wholesale access and resale roaming to allow newinnovative providers to enter the market without the need to create a new Canada-widesystem.

Your governments previous new entrant AWS set-aside regime was an effective way tofacilitate greater choice, but half measured approaches dont work in the business world andthey dont work in government either. We need you to follow through on the spirit of thiscompetitive framework, and allow new entrant wireless providers to maintain access tospectrum assets set-aside for them.

We hope for a quick response that upholds your past innovation-first policies and helps setCanada up to for a bright economic future.