Reply comments for the AWS consultation were submitted to Industry Canada at the end of June and it has taken me some time to get to read them. Part of the problem was accessing the website – through no fault of Industry Canada – my Inukshuk-based internet is having some trouble reaching ic.gc.ca addresses.
I gave up and used my Blackberry as a modem to download about a dozen of the filings. I’ll be providing some reviews over the coming days and weeks.
The possibility of a TELUS/Bell merger caused Sasktel to rethink its position and ensure that its independent needs were looked after.
SaskTel did not promote the use of “set aside” provisions in the first round of consultations. However, if a set aside is enacted, SaskTel as an experienced telephone company should not be unduly hampered in its options to grow, expand and to provide new services outside of its current serving areas just because of traditional convenience in regulatory treatments.
As I wrote last month, hopefully, Bell Aliant’s independent trustees have also been looking at their wireless options in order to protect unit-holders from various future scenarios for industry dynamics.