STAY CONNECTED TO VIBRANTVICTORIA
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CITIFIED VICTORIA
Obviously. My comment was (mostly) intended as facetious, borne out of years of frustration with the so-called Big 3 in this country, and the nanny-state CRTC apparatus which, while it theoretically oversees them to regulate and supervise broadcasting and telecommunications <cough> "in the public interest", more often than not does little more than to tacitly shield them.
Besides Verizon among others has stated more than once they have no interest in this market, which is lilliputian by their standards. Compared to the dollars involved in other more important markets such as their $130 billion USD stake in Vodafone a few years ago why would any of them consider Canada which is a guppy and would be more trouble than any potential profits are worth, and especially since Bell/Rogers/Telus between them have 95% of the market?
Not clear why you focused on the "mobility pricing" piece. As far as I am aware, beyond the lousy optics of the timing of the Bell layoffs, they will presumably have zero impact on mobility pricing: I assume you are aware the Canadian telecom/carriers do provide other services, correct?
However since you brought it up they will have a massive impact on the radio properties @ Bell, especially the layoffs at CJAD, which is one of the flagship stations in Canada.
Not that I imagine Bell - recipient of all things of $122 million in federal wage subsidies in spite of having well over five billion dollars available liquidity, share dividends up 5% year over year and boosting said dividend payouts to shareholders, and all of that despite Covid - sees much if anything beyond operating profit margins. As with Telus and Rogers, both of whom we have been subscribers to in the past, I'm fairly certain the "customer" is a long way from the top of their priority list.
Note: just to be fair and to show I'm not picking only on Bell, in addition to them bellying up to the public trough for handouts in the amount noted above at least $82 million was scooped up by Rogers and another $38.5 million by Telus. Bell’s $122 million was nevertheless more than any other company in any marketplace sector, even topping Imperial Oil’s $120 million.
The reference to mobility pricing was regarding nparker's note, likely also facetiously, suggesting his mobility bill to go down as a result of these layoffs.
It's clear that traditional media in Canada is struggling, the layoffs in that division likely an attempt to stem losses or return an acceptable investment from their radio assets. Certainly as you point out nothing to do with mobility pricing.
I have no problem with Bell or any other company receiving wage subsidies - if they qualify. No reason they shouldn't have the same resources as other companies just because they are bigger or are better managed and therefore have money in the bank.
