Rivalry Heats Up as Bell Accuses Telus of Pirated TV Sales
Canada’s telecom industry is facing fresh tension as Bell accuses rival Telus of illegally promoting pirated TV services to lure away customers. The high-stakes legal clash highlights growing frictions in an increasingly competitive market—especially after regulatory changes opened the door to network sharing.
Background: Competition Ramps Up After CRTC Policy Shift
The dispute stems from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) new wholesale internet policy. It requires telecom giants like Bell and Telus to let competitors use their fibre networks in regions where rivals lack their own infrastructure.
Since May, Bell has had to provide access to its fibre lines in Ontario and Quebec. Telus quickly seized the opportunity, expanding into Bell territory using this reselling model. Meanwhile, Bell says it hasn’t yet done the same in Telus’s regions.
Bell’s Claims: Pirated Services and Poaching Alleged
In a lawsuit filed on June 26 with the Ontario Superior Court, Bell alleged that Telus’s door-to-door sales agents promoted pirated TV services to encourage Bell customers to switch. Bell claims this not only violated copyright laws but also amounted to misleading and unfair competition.
According to the filings, Bell believes Telus intentionally interfered with its customer relationships, describing the conduct as unlawful and unethical. The company is now demanding $25 million in damages or equivalent restitution, plus an additional $10 million in punitive damages.
Telus Pushes Back: Denial and Counterclaims
Telus responded firmly in a July 25 statement of defence and counterclaim, denying Bell’s accusations entirely. The company called the lawsuit “false” and “baseless,” arguing it’s part of a strategy by Bell to protect its stronghold in Ontario and Quebec.
Telus admitted it had received a customer complaint in May about rogue services. After investigating, the company found a few unauthorized third-party sales agents were acting without approval. Telus says it promptly disciplined them and issued warnings to all vendors involved.
Importantly, Telus emphasized that its official reps are not pressured to hit sales targets and are never trained to promote illegal services.
Telus Flips the Script: Accuses Bell of Anti-Competitive Tactics
In a bold counterclaim, Telus accused Bell of aggressive tactics to win back customers—including predatory pricing, obstructive installations, and misleading sales methods. Telus argued that Bell deliberately caused service delays to frustrate new customers and slow down Telus’s expansion.
One key claim? Bell technicians—who are essential in the shared network setup—were allegedly no-shows in 5% of cases, five times higher than Telus’s 1% rate. This has reportedly led to cancelled contracts and lost business for Telus.
What Both Sides Are Saying
Bell has not yet filed a defence to Telus’s counterclaim, but its spokesperson called the allegations “baseless” and said the company will respond in due course.
On the other hand, Telus spokesperson Kalene DeBaeremaeker called Bell’s lawsuit “a tactic to undermine competition and preserve its market dominance.”
As both sides dig in, the case shines a light on just how high the stakes are in Canada’s telecom turf war.
Final Word: A Legal Battle That Could Reshape Telecom
While none of the allegations have been proven in court, the legal feud underscores a broader power struggle. With new rules disrupting the old status quo, Canada’s telecom giants are jostling for every inch of market share—sometimes with sharp elbows.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on this developing telecom showdown.
