Federal rejection of public hearings on the wireless loopholes a missed opportunity

Federal rejection of public hearings on the wireless loopholes a missed opportunity


Conservative MPs block federal Industry Committee from hearing the
concerns of the 81% of Canadians who want a level competitive playing
field in wireless



MONTREAL, Aug. 27, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell is disappointed in today's
decision by Conservative MPs on the House of Commons Industry Committee
to block public hearings on their government's wireless policy -
including the 3 wireless loopholes opposed by most Canadians that give
extraordinary advantages to major US players like Verizon.



"The vast majority of Canadians want a level competitive playing field
in wireless and don't want any companies to receive special favours.
It's unfortunate that the government has rejected the chance to engage
with Canadians on the public stage and show leadership in this critical
national debate," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada
and BCE.



The 3 loopholes in federal wireless rules give US companies like Verizon
these advantages over Canadian companies: 1) preferred access to
Canada's crucial wireless spectrum, 2) the right to piggyback on
Canadian carrier networks, and 3) the right to acquire struggling
companies in Canada that Canadian companies like Bell can't buy.



Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to the Prime Minister asking
for the loopholes to be closed, and national and provincial
organizations of all kinds representing millions of Canadians have also
made their concerns about the loopholes public.



In a recent national survey by Nanos Research (www.nanosresearch.com), Canadians said they want a level playing field in wireless. 81% said
the government should give no favours to any carrier, foreign or
domestic, while just 2% supported the idea of special favours for giant
US entrants like Verizon.



"The federal government continues to ignore the growing chorus of
Canadians of all kinds who are calling for the wireless loopholes to be
closed," said Mirko Bibic, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer for Bell.
"Parliament is the right place to have a fair, transparent and
constructive dialogue on a public policy affecting all Canadians.
Unfortunately, Conservative MPs just shut down the best opportunity for
the concerns of Canadians to be heard."



Bell joins Canadians in calling on Ottawa to close the 3 wireless
loopholes by:



-- Letting all carriers bid on two blocks of prime spectrum in the
upcoming auction of Canada's 700 MHz airwaves - not just US
carriers.
-- Requiring any US carrier that enters Canada to build out to the
entire country, including rural areas.
-- Giving Canadian wireless incumbents the chance to bid against
the major US companies to acquire wireless startups seeking
buyers.


To learn more about this situation, please visit FairForCanada.ca.


About Bell

Headquartered in Montréal since its founding in 1880, Bell is Canada's
largest communications company, providing consumers, business and
government customers with leading TV, Internet, wireless, home phone
and business communications solutions. Bell Media is Canada's premier
multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital
media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE).
For more information, please visit Bell.ca.



The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable
program that promotes Canadian mental health across Canada with the
Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant funding for
community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more,
please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.




SOURCE Bell Canada

Bell Canada

CONTACT: Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Communications
1 855 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.caInvestor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
BCE Investor Relations
(514) 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca


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