If you're thinking that Canada's cellphone industry is opening up to new competition, you might want to consider thinking again. The federal budget has turned into a source of confusion for opposition politicians and industry observers alike. And the Telecom players aren't ecstatic either.

"We aren't expecting any quick changes to open up their industry to more foreign competition and analysts agreed", opined the big Canadian telecom players, on Friday.

Sascha Segan, lead analyst for mobile devices for the PCMag Digital in New York, said, "None of the American wireless carriers are in financial shape to invest in a foreign wireless carrier".

"Competition in the U. S. mobile phone industry is very intense and there would be more interest in buying up regional American carriers", Segan added.

Previously, the Government, in Thursday's budget, said that it will "increase competition and investment in the telecommunications sector, which will lead to greater innovation and lower prices for consumers by removing foreign ownership restrictions on satellites".

"This will allow firms to access foreign capital and know-how and to invest in new and advanced technologies", the budget said.

"The removal of restrictions will also allow Canadian firms to develop strategic global relationships that will enable them to participate fully in foreign markets".

Though it strongly hinted in the throne speech on Wednesday and by Industry Minister Tony Clement in interviews that followed, the budget was not clear on the fact whether foreign ownership restrictions on other telecommunications firms will be lifted.