Public frustration over the state of the Canadian wireless industry has generally focused on consumer-oriented concerns including pricey data plans, misleading system access fees, and text message charge policies.  Given the consumer focus, the effect on Canadian business is rarely discussed.  My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) argues that that is set to change as one of Canada’s leading media companies has stepped forward with explosive allegations about how the wireless industry is engaged in practices that stifle innovation by privileging access or controlling content on their networks.

The claims can be found in a recent submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission by Pelmorex Media, the owner of the Weather Network in Canada.  While Pelmorex is not a household name, the Weather Network's websites rank at the top of Canadian media websites for online visitors.

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