CRTC will not change temporary wholesale decision; final decision still on the table

The CRTC has decided not to change its temporary decision on the wholesale fibre regime, stating that, while it was in place, the benefits for consumers outweighed any impacts to network investment. The decision comes after the governor-in-council referred an interim decision – issued by the CRTC in November 2023 – back to the commission, ordering it to reconsider whether large incumbent telecom companies BCE Inc., Telus Corp., and Rogers Communications Inc. should be blocked from using the wholesale framework to access each other’s networks. The government took issue with incumbent access, saying that it raises “concerns about the viability of small and regional Internet service providers.” That temporary decision was replaced by a final decision, issued by the CRTC in August. Although cabinet did not order its reconsideration, multiple telcos – including Rogers, Cogeco Inc., Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink, TekSavvy Solutions Inc., and the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) – filed requests that it be changed in order to block incumbent access to the regime. Those review and vary applications were then consolidated into one proceeding, which is still ongoing. “With respect to the current proceeding on the temporary decision, the evidence on the public record shows that consumer benefits brought about by large incumbent access to the temporary service outweighed any impact that access had on investment during the short time the temporary service was in effect,” the commission wrote in its decision, issued Monday, Feb. 3. The temporary service has been available since last May and, after the interim decision was replaced by the final decision, will technically come to a close on Feb. 13 when the final wholesale framework is to come into effect. “Accordingly, the commission finds that the public interest would not be advanced by changing the temporary decision.” Although it rejected calls to change the interim decision, the CRTC acknowledged the concerns raised by many stakeholders regarding the potential negative effects incumbent access may have on “future investment” and “long-term competition,” which it said are “important issues that will be considered” in the other ongoing proceeding. According to Monday’s decision, the CRTC “intends to complete” the other proceeding regarding the final decision and the long-term effects of incumbent access by this summer. phalentm@thewirereport.ca

CRTC will not change temporary wholesale decision; final decision still on the table

Regulatory |
By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
| February 3, 2025

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CRTC will not change temporary wholesale decision; final decision still on the table

Regulatory | By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald | February 3, 2025

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