The federal governemnt wants more competition in the cellphone industry. Is this a better choice for Canadians? Canada has many phone companies, but there are three main ones that call themselves "The Big Three". This is Telus, Bell, and Rodgers. Federal Government says they would like 4 big comapanies competiting in this market. The Big Three had 90% of the Canadian cellphone market, therefore there is a tiny market for others. Study's show that increasing competition, gives better service, lower prices and it would make the economy more competitive as a whole. Industry Minister, James Moore, made a campaign telling canadians that this would lower their cell phone bills. Is this true? Visit the Cellphone Statistics page to see various comparisons of how much we pay compared to other countrys.
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In 2013 the federal governemnt created an auction in which cell phone companies must bid for blocks of (700 mHz spectrum) wireless to access the radio waves. There are 4 blocks in Canada, Canadian's can bid on 2, leaving 2 for American Companies that want to come into Canada. Verizon is the American company rumored to be coming into Canada. Critics of Canadian telecom industry say it would have forced better prices .There was also three other companies saying they are to bid, Vodafone, AT&T and Norways Telenor. Verizon offered to buy wind mobile for 700 million, allthough the offer has not gone through yet, there is still a chance of Verizon coming to Canada. The outcome of this auction could shape the industry for the next 30 years.
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As of September 23, 2013, the list of companies competing in the auction was released, and it included no celphone companies from the U.S. On Sept. 2nd it was announced Verizon wasn't coming to Canada. There are 15 competiting customers in the auction. Could all the American companies have been scared off by the huge Verizon and Fair for Canada campaigns? Cellphone bills have decreased18% - 20% since 2008 and jobs have increased 25%.
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