- A wireless start-up must stop using Rogers Communications' (NYSE:RCI) network to serve its customers, Canada's telecom regulator has decided.
- Ice Wireless raised the issue on behalf of its affiliate Sugar Mobile, an MVNO that re-sold service on Rogers' network through a reciprocal agreement allowing for use while roaming.
- Rogers' plan to end that deal spurred Ice into action before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission last year.
- The CRTC has ruled that Ice allowed Sugar users to get "permanent rather than incidental" access to the cell network, despite Ice's claims that its service came primarily through Wi-Fi.
- Critics expect the decision to keep wireless prices high as power stays concentrated with Rogers and rivals BCE and Telus.