OTTAWA - At least one giant in the mobile wireless industry is dismissing a claim that greater competition could result in savings of about one-billion dollars a year for consumers and the wider economy.

Rogers says the federal Competition Bureau's claim is misguided and speculative.

Ken Engelhart, the senior vice-president of regulatory affairs, says that's because the report deals with potential savings from added competition.

The competition watchdog made the claim yesterday in a submission Thursday to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The CRTC is responsible for regulation in the wireless industry and is reviewing whether to increase regulation in the wholesale sector.

The regulations would effect what the large wireless companies -- Rogers, Bell and Telus -- can charge small players for the use of towers and roaming fees.

The Competition Bureau says large established wireless operators are realizing above-normal returns on investments because of their market dominance.