Apple’s Canadian mobile carrier contracts are being evaluated by the country’s Competition Bureau after accusations of anticompetitive behavior from unnamed source, Reuters reported today.
The anonymous accuser claims that the agreements with Canada’s cellular carriers contain anticompetitive language. There’s currently no evidence to support those claims, but the Competition Bureau is still in the process of acquiring a court order for documents that could back them up.
In the event that some evidence points to anticompetitive behavior by Apple and its carrier partners, action could be taken against the company by antitrust authorities. Apple is currently fighting an antitrust case in the United States over its handling of media purchased from third-party music stores for use on iPods.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
This will be an interesting one to find more details on. Every carrier here in Canada puts Android devices front and center. In some kiosks you may not even see an iPhone represented at all.
I feel like this makes sense from a business perspective given that the iPhone is the top-selling smartphone in Canada and has enough awareness to sell itself. Everyone knows the iPhone exists, whether they are a fan or not.
Wouldn’t be surprised. Prices have been skyrocketing in Canada. And all the carriers are reluctant to sell the (now overpriced) iPhone.
How does the reporter know that there is currently no evidence?
Because… the Bureau *told* Reuters that? I would think that would be a pretty good indicator.
Canadian wireless operators are themselves the most anticompetitive entities I have ever encountered. Why would any Canadian regularly swallow the inflated prices and poor service of these carriers and then swear out a complaint against Apple of all companies. My Canadian relatives have nothing but complaints to voice about the carrier. On top of this, they are completely inhospitable to visitors. Canada is the only country I have visited where no carrier will sell you a single MB of data unless you have a Canadian credit card/bank account. It is a wireless version of North Korea.
How can Apple be accused of ‘anticompetitive behaviour’ when it is the carriers themselves who pretty much dictate the terms and conditions. Maybe the commission should spend more time going after telecommunication companies rather than listening to their crying over how they’re apparently ‘bullied by big bad Apple’ when in reality the telecommunication companies are only using it as leverage to get a better deal out of Apple.