Changing the wireless rules, again

I am going to use this post to provide references and links to stories in respect of the announced changes that are coming for Canada’s wireless sector.

• Government Press Release and Backgrounder
• Globe and Mail article by Eric Atkins
• National Post article by Christine Dobby
• Global News article by Jamie Sturgeon
• Yahoo Dashboard article by Carmi Levy
• Canadian Press article by LuAnn LaSalle
• Mobile Syrup article by Daniel Bader
• Business in Vancouver article by Nelson Bennett
• BNN-TV story and interview of Anthony Lacavera by Howard Green

It is interesting that the government waited until after the bids were submitted for Mobilicity’s assets. Would the number of bidders have changed had there been knowledge of the new framework? Indeed, are there bidders for those assets who had advance notice of such changes?

What do these changes do to the incentives for investment?

We have frequently written about the continual flux in the fundamental regulatory framework for the sector – a Calvinball approach to the market. What is the impact on the investment climate for digital infrastructure? Will the proposed legislative changes, with the government opening the Telecom Act and RadioCommunications Act, be the final word?

Doubtfully.

At what point do we look holistically at the communications sector – including both broadcast and telecom – and bring all of the legislation into the 21st century. That would mean looking at appropriate changes to the Broadcast Act, or rolling all of them together into an integrated Communications Act. As I suggested in August, perhaps it is time for a fresh look at a Telecom Policy Review.

That sounds like a discussion for The 2014 Canadian Telecom Summit, taking place June 16-18 in Toronto. I would be remiss if I didn’t invite you to register early!