Telus pulls out of wireless industry lobby group in surprise move

VANCOUVER – Major carrier Telus is pulling out of the lobby group that represents the telecommunications industry, saying it can better serve its customers on its own.

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association has already been hit by withdrawals from new carriers Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, now owned by Telus, which left in 2013.

Telus (TSX:T), and the other carriers, say the association doesn’t always represent their positions on customer service.

Vancouver-based Telus says it will continue to co-operate with the group on industry projects such as cellphone recycling and Amber alerts.

Telus chief corporate officer Josh Blair says his company is not at loggerheads with the lobby group, but wants to make its own decisions how to serve its customers.

Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) and Bell (TSX:BCE) as well as a host of other Canadian telecom companies are members of the industry group.

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