Canadian carriers adopt code of conduct: More competition coming to nation

While the Federal Communications Commission probes whether the U.S. wireless industry is competitive, Canadian wireless companies are responding to reports that that market is not competitive with a new code of conduct.
The code of conduct is designed to help wireless subscribers understand their bills better, including terms of service, contract agreements and advertising. A typical cellular subscription in Canada is three years, rather than the two-year contract U.S. carriers push.
“Not only will the new code safeguard the rights of consumers, but it will also serve as another resource available in the complaint resolution process by Canada’s Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS),” said the Canadian Wireless Trade Association. “Unlike other jurisdictions that have developed wireless carrier conduct guidelines, such as in the U.S., where the code is strictly voluntary, the Canadian Code will be backstopped by the third-party, independent CCTS.”
A recent report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that forces on the global wireless industry found that the United States and Canada are among the least competitive wireless markets. However, some trade groups including CTIA have pointed out substantial flaws in the study because it does not take into account low per-minute pricing in the United States and its high call volume.
Meanwhile, Canadian operators are pushing ahead with technology choices as three more operators prepare to deploy wireless services. Rogers Wireless recently announced it would upgrade its HSPA-Plus technology to 21 Megabits per second. The carrier has deployed version 7.2 of the technology last year.
Rogers’ announcement comes as several new Canadian companies prepare to deploy some form of HSPA technology as they ready to offer wireless services. Globalive Wireless, one of the new companies building a wireless network, said it has signed Nokia Siemens Networks to build out its infrastructure. New entrant DAVE Wireless has picked Ericsson to build out its 3G network, which it plans to launch in 2010, in 10 cities.