Rogers says wholesale arrangements with Vidéotron not ‘preferential’

Rogers is asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Fee (CRTC) to reject TekSavvy’s request that the corporate give rivals the identical wholesale charges it says it’s going to provide to Vidéotron.

TekSavvy’s January 20th file refers to data Rogers shared through the Competition Tribunal’s hearing inspecting the Competitors Bureau’s push to dam Rogers’ takeover of Shaw and Vidéotron’s acquisition of Freedom Cellular.

Representatives from Rogers shared Vidéotron could have entry to reductions for wholesale high-speed entry companies, wi-fi home roaming companies, and wi-fi backhaul companies.

TekSavvy argues the association violates the Telecommunications Act. “The Fee ought to both void the Rogers-Vidéotron wholesale preparations, or order Rogers to supply entry to the identical phrases for wholesale companies as these loved by Vidéotron,” TekSavvy wrote in its utility.

In Rogers’ response, the corporate stated there’s “no foundation” for the aid TekSavvy requested. “In any occasion, the charges within the pending Rogers-Vidéotron agreements will not be unduly preferential.”

Bell’s response

TekSavvy additionally says “undue choice” is current with Bell and its affiliate EBOX. Bell acquired the Quebec-based company last year. 

“Bell and EBOX have made public statements that Bell is providing fibre-to-the-premises companies (FTTP) to EBOX. It’s clear that these FTTP companies will not be made obtainable to EBOX by way of Bell’s established disaggregated tariffs,” TekSavvy’s utility says.

However in its response, Bell says that’s not the case.

“The allegation is totally unfounded,” Bell says. 

The corporate says EBOX isn’t a stand-alone firm, however has been mixed with Bell.

“There may be no settlement, off-tariff or not, preferential or not, between Bell Canada and EBOX since they’re the identical company entity.”

Bell says the one undue choice allegation in TekSavvy’s utility is between Rogers and Vidéotron.

Rogers and Shaw are reaching the two-year mark of asserting plans to merge. Nevertheless, they nonetheless want approval from Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne. The Minister is chargeable for approving Vidéotron’s acquisition of Shaw’s wi-fi licenses by means of Freedom Cellular. Champagne has acknowledged a number of instances {that a} determination will come “sooner or later.”

The Aggressive Community Operators of Canada and OpenMedia are a part of the various organizations that supported TekSavvy’s utility, which is now closed for feedback.

Picture credit score: Shutterstock 

Supply: CRTC