Canadian aboriginals want cash for cellphone signals

Aboriginals in western Canada are seeking compensation from a local telephone carrier for every cellphone signal that crosses their lands. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs determined at a recent economic development summit to negotiate revenue sharing with Manitoba Telecom Services for signals that cross their reserves and traditional territories.
Transmissions over a significant area of the province would be affected, Mercredi said, noting that the Cree Nations claim rights to a huge expanse of land in the north.