Canada-Wide Wireless Broadband Network Planned

twilight30 writes "From the Globe and Mail, Rogers Communications Inc. and Bell Canada have said they will put aside their competitive differences to jointly build and manage a Canada-wide wireless broadband network. It is hoped they will initially reach more than two-thirds of Canadians in less than three years." From the article: "The two communications companies will pool their wireless broadband spectrum into a joint venture called Inukshuk Internet Inc. The network will cover more than 40 cities, and 50 rural and remote communities across the country. Users will be able to access the Internet and use voice, video streaming and data applications both inside their home, as well as on the go."

Collusion?

[absent_speaker]

This would be great if telecos were benevelent entities looking after the share interests of society, but they're not. No copetition elimenates the incentive to innovate, the incentive to drive develop cost lowering efficiencies. Of course telco's are willing to put aside their competative differences to create a high-profit monopoly on wireless.

I admit, There would still be competition in other forms and the telco's couldn't continuously raise their prices. However, I would imagine that the same telco's would also own most of those other means to get broadband.

I'm a little rusty on my business law, but isn't this overt collusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collusion [wikipedia.org]

Re:Canada wide, or inhabited canada wide?

[temojen]

Why provide broadband to uninhabited areas? Gladly, they do say they intend to cover rural areas, which the ADSL and cable providers don't.

Re:Less than 3 years.

[Asshat Canada]

No, it's ok...you can stay down there thanks. No need to poison the well with gun-loving, litigious, illiterati.

Re:A Canadian's $0.02

[bcs_metacon.ca]

Most Canadians are happy to pay taxes in return for having solid public services, public works, universal healthcare, universal social security... you know, a social safety net like the rest of the world (*other* than the U.S) has. "Free" WiFi is a nice benefit to tourism and students (i.e., people who don't pay municipal taxes), and to the businesses in the downtown core where the service is strongest.

I live in Fredericton too, and I don't use the e-Zone much but it's handy to have available. And I pay my taxes (happily).

Not Cheap

[torok]

Being a Canadian and knowing the telcos here, it won't be remotely affordable access to the average Joe.
Many already pay:

1. $45/month Cable Internet (Or $30/month ADSL)
2. $30/month telephone
3. $40/month Cell phone (With some ridiculous per-minute charge for 1X(3G) Net access)
4. $30/month cable/satellite TV

And now they figure we'll shell out some money for wireless? What for, when we've got hardwired internet and cell phones with 3G? Guaranteed they'll charge a small fortune for access to their wireless net.
When house prices in Vancouver have doubled in the last 5 years, and gasoline approaching $1.20/litre (that's about $4USD/gallon for you americans), just who do they think will be buying this?