Latest news with #CRTC
Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Cogeco, Eastlink seek to appeal CRTC decision on wholesale fibre rules
Two telecommunications companies are seeking to appeal a recent CRTC decision that reaffirmed the ability of Canada's Big Three internet companies to resell fibre internet over rivals' networks. In a legal challenge filed at the Federal Court of Appeal on Friday, Cogeco Inc. and Halifax-based Eastlink said the regulator's June decision should be quashed. They alleged that the CRTC rendered an 'effectively arbitrary decision' that ignored key arguments and evidence, while also erring in law and jurisdiction. 'Based on the incorrect conclusion that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, the CRTC allowed the Big Three to co-opt a regulatory framework ... to instead compete against each other and against these truly new, regional, and smaller providers,' the court filing states. Last month, the CRTC ruled that Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. can provide internet service to customers using fibre networks built by one another — as long as they are doing so outside their core serving regions. Telus has defended that policy as a way to boost competition in regions where it doesn't have its own network infrastructure, which then improves affordability for customers. Bell and Rogers oppose it, saying the rules discourage the major providers from investing in their own infrastructure. Many regional and independent carriers have raised concerns that it could make it more difficult for them to compete against larger players. They point out the Big Three are able to offer bundled internet, cellphone and TV packages for a discount, while some standalone internet providers cannot. 'The CRTC is stubbornly maintaining a broken ... resale regime that has completely failed to meet its original objective to help new entrants get into the market,' Cogeco president and CEO Frédéric Perron said earlier this week on his company's latest earnings call. 'The CRTC is misusing its power and is favouring telecom giants at the expense of regional players such as Cogeco. It's like forcing regional airlines to let national airlines use their planes. It just doesn't make any sense.' The CRTC said its rules effectively balance the need for both competition and investment, while only having a 'modest' near-term effect on the market share of regional carriers. It said it plans to continue evaluating the effect on the industry, noting there have been 'early indicators of improved competitive intensity' but that the extent to which the new rules 'will ultimately be successful is still unknown.' But Cogeco and Eastlink say the CRTC erred in law 'in a way that irremediably tainted the rest of its analysis.' It said the regulator's decision 'treats the country's largest and most powerful telecommunications service providers as 'new' and reduces barriers to competition for the largest players in the telecommunications market, while increasing these barriers — with potentially fatal effect — for everyone else.' The carriers argued that the commission should 'not have concluded that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, given that they are the largest providers of telecommunications services across Canada.' Cogeco and Eastlink also characterized the CRTC's reasoning for its decision as 'so insufficient that the CRTC breached procedural fairness and effectively rendered an arbitrary decision by wholly failing to acknowledge or address the long-term effects of bundling ... or the incoherence of the policy with the broader regulatory regime.' The framework initially kicked in May 2024 on a limited basis, when the regulator began requiring Bell and Telus to give competitors — including both big and small companies — access to their fibre-to-the-home networks, in exchange for a fee. Those rules initially applied only in Ontario and Quebec, as the CRTC cited a significant competitive decline in those provinces. It noted independent internet providers had been serving 47 per cent fewer customers than two years earlier as many were bought out by larger internet providers. The CRTC announced in August 2024 the rules would be extended to networks owned by telephone companies countrywide. But the federal government then asked the commission to reconsider whether the Big Three providers should be able to act as wholesalers under the rules, citing concern about the viability of smaller internet providers to act as alternatives. The CRTC opened a consultation into the matter and issued a temporary decision this past February that upheld the rules, followed by its final determination in June. The federal cabinet has until Aug. 13 to decide whether to overrule that decision. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CGO, TSX:BCE, TSX:T, TSX:RCI.B)
Hamilton Spectator
13 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Cogeco, Eastlink seek to appeal CRTC decision on wholesale rules
Two telecommunications companies are seeking to appeal a recent CRTC decision that reaffirmed the ability of Canada's Big Three internet companies to resell internet over rivals' networks. In a legal challenge filed at the Federal Court of Appeal on Friday, Cogeco Inc. and Halifax-based Eastlink said the regulator's June decision should be quashed. They alleged that the CRTC rendered an 'effectively arbitrary decision' that ignored key arguments and evidence, while also erring in law and jurisdiction. 'Based on the incorrect conclusion that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, the CRTC allowed the Big Three to co-opt a regulatory framework ... to instead compete against each other and against these truly new, regional, and smaller providers,' the court filing states. Last month, the CRTC ruled that Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. can provide internet service to customers using networks built by one another — as long as they are doing so outside their core serving regions. Telus has defended that policy as a way to boost competition in regions where it doesn't have its own network infrastructure, which then improves affordability for customers. Bell and Rogers oppose it, saying the rules discourage the major providers from investing in their own infrastructure. Many regional and independent carriers have raised concerns that it could make it more difficult for them to compete against larger players. They point out the Big Three are able to offer bundled internet, cellphone and TV packages for a discount, while some standalone internet providers cannot. 'The CRTC is stubbornly maintaining a broken ... resale regime that has completely failed to meet its original objective to help new entrants get into the market,' Cogeco president and CEO Frédéric Perron said earlier this week on his company's latest earnings call. 'The CRTC is misusing its power and is favouring telecom giants at the expense of regional players such as Cogeco. It's like forcing regional airlines to let national airlines use their planes. It just doesn't make any sense.' The CRTC said its rules effectively balance the need for both competition and investment, while only having a 'modest' near-term effect on the market share of regional carriers. It said it plans to continue evaluating the effect on the industry, noting there have been 'early indicators of improved competitive intensity' but that the extent to which the new rules 'will ultimately be successful is still unknown.' But Cogeco and Eastlink say the CRTC erred in law 'in a way that irremediably tainted the rest of its analysis.' It said the regulator's decision 'treats the country's largest and most powerful telecommunications service providers as 'new' and reduces barriers to competition for the largest players in the telecommunications market, while increasing these barriers — with potentially fatal effect — for everyone else.' The carriers argued that the commission should 'not have concluded that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, given that they are the largest providers of telecommunications services across Canada.' Cogeco and Eastlink also characterized the CRTC's reasoning for its decision as 'so insufficient that the CRTC breached procedural fairness and effectively rendered an arbitrary decision by wholly failing to acknowledge or address the long-term effects of bundling ... or the incoherence of the policy with the broader regulatory regime.' The framework initially kicked in May 2024 on a limited basis, when the regulator began requiring Bell and Telus to give competitors — including both big and small companies — access to their networks, in exchange for a fee. Those rules initially applied only in Ontario and Quebec, as the CRTC cited a significant competitive decline in those provinces. It noted independent internet providers had been serving 47 per cent fewer customers than two years earlier as many were bought out by larger internet providers. The CRTC announced in August 2024 the rules would be extended to networks owned by telephone companies countrywide. But the federal government then asked the commission to reconsider whether the Big Three providers should be able to act as wholesalers under the rules, citing concern about the viability of smaller internet providers to act as alternatives. The CRTC opened a consultation into the matter and issued a temporary decision this past February that upheld the rules, followed by its final determination in June. The federal cabinet has until Aug. 13 to decide whether to overrule that decision. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CGO, TSX:BCE, TSX:T, TSX:RCI.B) Note to readers:This is a clarified story. A previous version said the appeal only covered wholesale fibre rules. In fact, it applies to all types of telecom networks.
Toronto Star
14 hours ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Cogeco, Eastlink seek to appeal CRTC decision on wholesale rules
Two telecommunications companies are seeking to appeal a recent CRTC decision that reaffirmed the ability of Canada's Big Three internet companies to resell internet over rivals' networks. In a legal challenge filed at the Federal Court of Appeal on Friday, Cogeco Inc. and Halifax-based Eastlink said the regulator's June decision should be quashed.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cogeco, Eastlink seek to appeal CRTC decision on wholesale fibre rules
Two telecommunications companies are seeking to appeal a recent CRTC decision that reaffirmed the ability of Canada's Big Three internet companies to resell fibre internet over rivals' networks. In a legal challenge filed at the Federal Court of Appeal on Friday, Cogeco Inc. and Halifax-based Eastlink said the regulator's June decision should be quashed. They alleged that the CRTC rendered an 'effectively arbitrary decision' that ignored key arguments and evidence, while also erring in law and jurisdiction. 'Based on the incorrect conclusion that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, the CRTC allowed the Big Three to co-opt a regulatory framework … to instead compete against each other and against these truly new, regional, and smaller providers,' the court filing states. Last month, the CRTC ruled that Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. can provide internet service to customers using fibre networks built by one another — as long as they are doing so outside their core serving regions. Telus has defended that policy as a way to boost competition in regions where it doesn't have its own network infrastructure, which then improves affordability for customers. Bell and Rogers oppose it, saying the rules discourage the major providers from investing in their own infrastructure. Many regional and independent carriers have raised concerns that it could make it more difficult for them to compete against larger players. They point out the Big Three are able to offer bundled internet, cellphone and TV packages for a discount, while some standalone internet providers cannot. 'The CRTC is stubbornly maintaining a broken … resale regime that has completely failed to meet its original objective to help new entrants get into the market,' Cogeco president and CEO Frédéric Perron said earlier this week on his company's latest earnings call. 'The CRTC is misusing its power and is favouring telecom giants at the expense of regional players such as Cogeco. It's like forcing regional airlines to let national airlines use their planes. It just doesn't make any sense.' The CRTC said its rules effectively balance the need for both competition and investment, while only having a 'modest' near-term effect on the market share of regional carriers. It said it plans to continue evaluating the effect on the industry, noting there have been 'early indicators of improved competitive intensity' but that the extent to which the new rules 'will ultimately be successful is still unknown.' But Cogeco and Eastlink say the CRTC erred in law 'in a way that irremediably tainted the rest of its analysis.' It said the regulator's decision 'treats the country's largest and most powerful telecommunications service providers as 'new' and reduces barriers to competition for the largest players in the telecommunications market, while increasing these barriers — with potentially fatal effect — for everyone else.' The carriers argued that the commission should 'not have concluded that the Big Three are 'new' service providers, given that they are the largest providers of telecommunications services across Canada.' Cogeco and Eastlink also characterized the CRTC's reasoning for its decision as 'so insufficient that the CRTC breached procedural fairness and effectively rendered an arbitrary decision by wholly failing to acknowledge or address the long-term effects of bundling … or the incoherence of the policy with the broader regulatory regime.' The framework initially kicked in May 2024 on a limited basis, when the regulator began requiring Bell and Telus to give competitors — including both big and small companies — access to their fibre-to-the-home networks, in exchange for a fee. Those rules initially applied only in Ontario and Quebec, as the CRTC cited a significant competitive decline in those provinces. It noted independent internet providers had been serving 47 per cent fewer customers than two years earlier as many were bought out by larger internet providers. The CRTC announced in August 2024 the rules would be extended to networks owned by telephone companies countrywide. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. But the federal government then asked the commission to reconsider whether the Big Three providers should be able to act as wholesalers under the rules, citing concern about the viability of smaller internet providers to act as alternatives. The CRTC opened a consultation into the matter and issued a temporary decision this past February that upheld the rules, followed by its final determination in June. The federal cabinet has until Aug. 13 to decide whether to overrule that decision. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX:CGO, TSX:BCE, TSX:T, TSX:RCI.B)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
400,000 Canadians - and Counting - Demand More Internet Choice as Petition Supporting CRTC Decision Surges
Canadians rally against competitor efforts to overturn CRTC decision that benefits consumers TORONTO, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ - TELUS announced today that over 400,000 Canadians – and counting – have signed the #DemandMoreInternetChoice petition, making it one of the most supported petitions in Canadian history. This milestone marks a doubling of support since January 2025 and represents significant momentum toward TELUS' goal of reaching one million signatures. The petition reflects growing frustration with limited internet options and affordability concerns, particularly in Eastern Canada, and signals strong support for the CRTC's decision to enable more competition in high-speed internet. "The resounding voices of 400,000 Canadians – a number that is increasing by the day – cannot be ignored. Their clear desire for increased internet choice underscores the importance of offering customers a diversity of services and providers," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS. "Crucially, since TELUS' entry into the Ontario and Quebec markets two years ago, Statistics Canada indicates that internet prices have declined 13.7 per cent. As affordability continues to be top of mind for Canadians, this is a testament to the transformative power of competition and the robust investment and innovation that always accompanies it. In this regard, our TELUS team looks forward to ensuring even more Canadians have an opportunity to benefit from our differentiated bundles, including home internet and wireless, as well as new services such as AI-driven, smart home energy management, next-generation home and mobile healthcare, affordable home security and exciting entertainment solutions." Affordability remains top of mind for Canadians. Since TELUS entered Ontario and Quebec two years ago, home internet prices have dropped 13.7%, according to the Government of Canada's Statistics Canada – despite TELUS holding just 3.07%3 market share. Even this modest pressure has driven meaningful consumer benefit. As Canada's data infrastructure builder, TELUS remains committed to its recently announced $70 billion investment program through 2029 in global-leading broadband services across Ontario and Quebec, ensuring that all Canadians benefit from world-leading connectivity, competitive pricing, and the innovation that comes from genuine market competition. TELUS is always building Canada. Polling conducted by Rubicon Strategy revealed the following: 82% of Canadians support more competition. 83% of Ontario Progressive Conservative voters want government to support more competition, with 89% wanting TELUS as an option. Over 80% of residents in Ontario and Quebec believe increased competition is the only way to improve affordability.1 90% of Ontarians agree they should be able to choose their internet provider based on price and quality. 2 84% of Quebecers support government action to increase ISP competition.1 Canadians are connecting the dots between market concentration and the affordability crisis. A June 2025 BMO report found that 78% of Canadians are concerned about the rising cost of living – up sharply from 61% in March. For 75% of Ontarians and 69% of Quebecers, a reversal of the CRTC decision would signal that government does not understand the crisis at hand.1 Canadians expect the federal government to respect the independence of the CRTC and not capitulate to corporate lobbying and threats to withhold investment. Overturning the ruling would damage regulatory credibility, interprovincial trade, and investor confidence, as well as government plans for a single Canadian economy. The CRTC has reconfirmed its commitment to wholesale access to fibre no fewer than six times – based on supportive submissions by the Competition Bureau – including as recently as June 2025, following years of review, an open and transparent hearing process, and thorough analysis. The petition can be found at #DemandMoreInternetChoice in English and at ExigezplusdechoixdefournisseursInternet in French. The combined total of 400,000 represents English and French petition signatures as well as expressed support via TELUS direct SMS messages and emails. Canadians can also send a letter to their Member of Parliament voicing their concerns at About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Our TELUS Health business is enhancing more than 150 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. Our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs including 2.4 million days of service since 2000, earning us the distinction of the world's most giving company. We're always building Canada. For more information, visit or follow @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. Research findings from online polls conducted by Rubicon Strategy on behalf of TELUS. 1 January 25-27th, 2025, sample of 2000 Canadians including oversamples of Ontario (n=774) and Quebec (n=600), fielded in English and French. 2 June 27-29th, 2025, sample of 1200 Ontarians. 3 Based on data pulled in March 2025 through the ThinkCX market intelligence platform. Quotas and weighting used to ensure that all sample reflects the Canadian/provincial populations according to census population parameters. Questions related to the Rubicon Strategy polls can be directed to David Herle at Rubicon Strategy: herle@ FOR MEDIA Richard SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc. View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
