Throne speech led to uncertainty, confusion in telecom, says industry head

TORONTO – Ottawa’s recent promise to provide Canadians and telecoms with more certainty about their wireless bills has actually raised more questions for the entire industry, says the head of an industry group.

Bernard Lord, president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, says the Conservative government’s throne speech earlier this month has led to more confusion.

“When the government talks about domestic roaming in the speech from the throne, I’m not sure what exactly that is,” he said during a speech at the Toronto Board of Trade.

“I’m not sure they know what that is.”

Lord also took issue with Ottawa’s decision during the past year to ease 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.

“If the government feels they’re better off interfering or mingling in the marketplace, that could have a negative impact,” he said.

U.S. company Verizon had explored plans to open business in Canada, but decided against the prospects.

“They were partially turned off by too much government intervention and uncertainty in the rules,” said Lord.

“Investors may come in and say, ‘The rules are being bent for us right now, but what’s going to happen in two years? They may be bent against us.'”