CRTC to revisit network access ruling

WIRELESS SERVICES

CRTC has been asked to look again at this issue and we hope they’ll come back with a solution that will lift big telecom’s blockade and lead to lower prices and greater choice for Canadian consumers and small businesses,” said OpenMedia digital rights advocate Katy Anderson.

“Allowing smaller providers to enter the market will improve innovation, encourage competition, and enable low-income Canadians to participate more fully and meaningfully in our digital society.”

In ordering the review, Bains also made clear he expects any new ruling from the CRTC would not stifle investment by the big telecom companies to keep their wireless networks up to date.

Rogers said it would work with the regulator with the aim of keeping wireless costs down while at the same time improving its service infrastructure.

“We look forward to working with the CRTC to examine creative ways to bridge the digital divide and maintain fast and reliable networks,” said David Watt, senior vice-president of regulatory affairs at Rogers.

OpenMedia spokeswoman Meghan Sali pointed to Toronto-based Tucows Inc., which operates Ting Mobile in the United States by piggybacking on carrier networks south of the border — but doesn’t offer services in Canada — as an example of a small wireless provider that could help transform Canada’s wireless landscape.

Ting offers wireless service through a patchwork of Wi-Fi-based networks in the U.S., including talk, text and data, with monthly bills that it says average US$23.

TekSavvy, which offers home Internet service in central Canada, but has been looking at broadening into mobile service, called the CRTC review “potentially game-changing.”

“This is a fresh approach to kick-starting mobile competition in Canada,” said TekSavvy’s chief legal and regulatory officer, Bram Abramson, who noted that Wi-Fi-first carriers in other countries are fostering competition.

“There’s no reason we cannot create the same environment (in Canada).”

Canada’s last remaining independent wireless provider, Wind Mobile, was rebranded as Freedom Mobile after being bought by telecom giant Shaw Communications last year.

Bains also announced consultations Monday on the release of spectrum to support the development of so-called 5G wireless infrastructure, something he said is needed to meet demand from Canadians for faster networks and higher capacity for wireless data.

As well, the government released new rules for the deployment of next-generation satellites that it hopes will lead to more high-speed Internet services for Canadians living in rural and remote communities.