Harper says there are no special rules for foreign wireless companies

TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there are no special rules or loopholes for foreign companies looking to enter the Canadian wireless market.

The prime minister says the rules in place are to help all new entrants whether they are Canadian or foreign and help provide competition in the market.

Harper made the comments amid speculation that U.S. company Verizon may want to expand into the Canadian wireless business.

Canada’s big wireless providers have argued that big foreign players like Verizon would be given an unfair advantage under the current wireless rules.

The Conservative government recently eased the rules on foreign investment for wireless companies with less than 10 per cent of the marketplace, paving the way for the entry of foreign companies.