Quebecor recently filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau regarding an exclusive agreement between Loblaw and wireless carriers Bell and Rogers. This deal grants them sole selling rights at The Mobile Shop, potentially excluding Quebecor’s Freedom Mobile from 180 Loblaw-owned grocery stores.

Here are some key points to consider:

– The agreement could increase the telecom oligopoly’s control to 62.5% of all third-party retailers in the Canadian wireless industry.
– Quebecor believes this deal exacerbates market concentration, ultimately impacting Canadian consumers.
– Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor, expressed concerns about the anti-competitive nature of this agreement.
– Bell, Rogers, and Telus currently dominate the market through third-party retailers with generic names like tbooth wireless, Wirelesswave, and Wow! Mobile Boutique.
– Quebecor estimates that over 80% of Canadian wireless product sales occur in-store.
– If Glentel gains control of 180 The Mobile Shop outlets, the percentage of retailers controlled by the ‘Big 3’ telecoms will increase to 62.5%.
– Quebecor is advocating for a fair competitive environment in both the telecommunications and grocery sectors for the benefit of Canadian consumers.

It is essential to address these concerns to ensure a level playing field for all players in the industry. Let’s prioritize fair competition and consumer choice for a healthier telecommunications market landscape.