Part 3 - I admire Sir John A. MacDonald, not just because he happens to be in my family tree through my father's side of the family, or the fact that he was Canada's first Prime Minister, but because of his vision. When he built the railroad his vision was to unite Canada. Telecommunications is what unites us today and it unites us on a global scale. It is an extension to his vision. I'm sure if he where here today he would be in awe to see how far his vision has gone. Canada was evolving in Sir John A. MacDonald's period of time. It was a time when Canada opened it's doors to Loyalists escaping the Rebels in the states. Today, Canada opens its doors to people from across the globe. Today we live in a period of time where Canada is still evolving. We think more globally, than locally while at the same time keeping true to our heritage. Thinking globally is a relatively new way of thinking. If Sir John A. MacDonald was here today, I am sure he would not have allowed anyone to interfere with his government's goals and he would see the wisdom in over ruling the CRTC's decision that stops Globalive from launching. Since 2006 the government made very clear that there was to be competition in Canada. It also put forth policy directions that the CRTC were to implement. To date all we have heard from the CRTC is excuses as to why they haven't implemented the government's policy directions. The incumbents have heavily influenced the CRTC long enough. It's time to make sure there is change. You have to stop the incumbents from stalling/paralyzing the process. Industry Canada gave the spectrum to Globalive to begin with because of the vision. The vision being access to telecommunications for all Canadians. Bringing the type of competition to the market that Globalive will bring I believe will help lower ARPU and improve market penetration. Globalive is a Canadian company, founded by a Canadian. The CRTC listened to the opinions of the incumbents when they made their decision. Industry Canada made it's decision to give Globalive the spectrum uninfluenced. I think that is what should stand here. The CRTC's ruling was done in favor of corporate interest, not in the interest of Canadians. Sir John A. MacDonald would make a decision that was in the Canadian peoples interest. Telus initiated this unprecedented public review and the rest of the incumbents and even new entrants such as Public Mobile jumped on the band wagon. It was a "public" hearing, but no one from the public was there, just stakeholders.
As an observer of this issue, I have my concerns about a Regional entrant such as Public Mobile. If the goal is for real competition to improve access to telecommunications for all Canadians, this has to be done on a National scale. I think Public Mobile will end up like Fido and sell out to one of the incumbents in a few years. Public Mobile's CEO has years of experience with Rogers and Bell and I think he will just mimic them when it comes to the program they are going to offer. I think the government would be very wise to over turn the CRTC's decision because it will ensure real competition.
If the vision is for all Canadians to have access to telecommunications, deregulating and putting forth government incentives is just the beginning. There is still a road to travel and this critical decision can further the destination or hit a dead end. Send a message to the incumbents and the new entrants. Reinforce your government's goals. Tell them that they have to get used to this new thinking.
I work for a small land development/home building company. We know there is competition and we work very hard to be the best on the market. We have confidence in our product. We believe in our product. We let our work speak for us and our product sells. That being said, I believe the core of the problem here is not about law or rules. It is because the incumbents and the new entrants know they have an inferior product and they are afraid of the competition because they are bringing a superior product. All you have to do is visit their websites to see who has a better set up. I don't buy the story that they feel it is unfair. They just know that what Globalive
tapped into is a superior product and they will have a lot of work to do to catch up to them.
It is my opinion that instead of the incumbents and the new entrants wasting their time, energy and money trying to stop Globalive from launching, they should direct all their energies and resources towards bringing a better product because that is what will be in the best interest of Canadians.
I know I have been hard von Konrad von Finckenstein. It's because I am angered by what I see happening, but I saw a glimmer of hope the other day. It seems he has a new attitude. When he spoke to the Broadcasters and Cable guys he said, "I don't know why you two don't realize it's in your long-run interests to come to some solution - rather than scaring the daylights out of Canadians". I would like to see you echo his words here and say the same to the incumbents and the new entrants. Everybody should learn how to get along because this is going to happen. It is in the best interest of Canadians.
The Prime Minister's, recent trip to India speaks volumes as to where the government is headed. Canada can not afford this international embarrassment. Canada needs to send a message that it is very much interested in Global opportunities. Canada has the opportunity to reinforce it's goals, by over ruling the CRTC's decision and allow Globalive to launch. This will ensure the extension of Sir John A. MacDonald's vision for all Canadians to be united...connected.
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