Critics see decision as ‘more of the same’

It also lowered mobile wholesale roaming rates by between 44 and 99 per cent, and will retroactively decrease prices paid since 2015. (Incumbents are required to provide roaming services to other wireless carriers.)

To address calls for affordability before its review of the entire wholesale system, the CRTC launched a consultation on lower-cost, dataonly plans. It will give BCE Inc., Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. one month to come up with such plans.

It will then publish their proposals for the public to comment.

“Canadians are demanding greater choice of innovative and affordable mobile wireless services,” CRTC Chairman Ian Scott said in a statement. “Today’s decision will see the introduction of lower-cost data-only plans throughout Canada as well as reduced final rates for wholesale roaming. As a result, Canadians stand to benefit from more investment in wireless networks and innovative and reasonably priced services.”

The federal government said it will review the decision, which it expects will result in new, more affordable wireless plans.

“Today’s decision by the CRTC is a step in the right direction, but more must be done: true affordability can only come from true competition,” Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navarro Bains said in a statement.

Consumer advocacy group OpenMedia criticized the decision as “frustrating” for Canadians fed up with high wireless prices.

Requiring network access “would allow smaller providers to enter the market with more affordable options, which is the key to encouraging competition and providing relief from The Big Three,” OpenMedia’s Katy Anderson said in a statement.

“Instead, today we saw more of the same: A lack of action to address affordability through competition.”

Officials from Telus, Rogers and Bell said the companies supported the CRTC’s decision to support facilitiesbased operators.

Telus said the wholesale rates were lower than desired, but have already been