OTTAWA and VANCOUVER – Incumbent telco Telus has withdrawn its membership from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA).
CWTA, which describes itself as “the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada”, represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce products and services for the industry.
In an emailed statement to Cartt.ca, a Telus spokesperson said that the company’s decision to withdraw from the organization “reflects our desire to continue progressing our highly differentiated strategy and our unique Customers First approach”.
“We are grateful for (CWTA president and CEO) Bernard Lord’s excellent leadership”, the statement continued. “He effectively managed a wide diversity of opinions. Bernard has contributed significantly to the development of our industry and we look forward to our continued collaboration with him and his team on initiatives of joint interest.”
The CWTA declined to comment on what this may mean to its future. It did say that it was disappointed with Telus’ decision, “but respects the position of Telus to undertake a more distinctive advocacy approach outside of CWTA”.
“As a long-serving member of the Association, Telus has contributed strongly over the years to advancing wireless industry growth, innovation and consumer services”, reads a statement sent to Cartt.ca from the CWTA. “CWTA notes the decision by Telus communicated to CWTA includes Telus’ interest in participating on a collaborative basis with some of the Association’s numerous and valuable consumer and corporate social responsibility initiatives such as the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, Recycle My Cell, Wireless Amber Alerts, Text with 9-1-1, Wireless Number Portability, Canada’s new stolen handset database and Common Short Codes, to name just a few. CWTA would be pleased to welcome Telus back as a full-time member in the future should its plans change.”
New wireless entrants Wind Mobile, Public Mobile and Mobilicity jointly withdrew from the CWTA last April, claiming the association was biased in favour of the “big three telcos” and did not represent their interests.
