Latest news with #FinalDecision
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa sides with CRTC to boost competitor access to fibre networks
OTTAWA – Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has upheld the CRTC's wholesale regulatory framework for high-speed Internet services, giving Telus Corp. a victory after a long battle. But other telecom operators are furious. In a landmark decision announced late Wednesday evening, Joly sided with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) after it decided to allow for greater competition on existing networks for high-speed Internet services across the country. The CRTC authorized Canada's three major telecommunications companies to resell fibre optics to Internet service providers (ISPs) on their respective networks. This decision means, for example, that Telus, which is strong in Western Canada, can use other providers' networks to attract thousands of customers in Ontario and Quebec instead of building its own infrastructure. 'By immediately increasing competition and consumer choice, the CRTC's decision aims to reduce the cost of high-speed Internet for Canadians and will contribute toward our broader mandate to bring down costs across the board,' said Joly in a statement. The August 2024 decision, confirmed in June 2025 by the regulator, was based on extensive expert consultation, and the CRTC received more than 300 public comments. 'This decision… sends a strong signal to consumers, businesses and investors that the Canadian regulatory system is robust, transparent and effective in balancing the needs of stakeholders, and enabling government policy,' said Telus President and CEO Darren Entwistle. The CRTC recently said that 'several thousand Canadian households' are already benefiting from new plans offered by 'dozens of providers that are using the access enabled by the Final Decision.' 'Changing course now would reverse the benefits of this increased competition and would prevent more Canadians from having new choices of ISPs in the future,' wrote the CRTC in its June 20 decision. Telus has been lobbying lawmakers for over a year and even launched a petition that garnered over 300,000 signatures in support of the regulator's decision. Entwistle signalled that his company is 'passionately committed to building national infrastructure and technology for the benefit of consumers, and the productivity and innovation of our private and public sectors.' However, key players like Bell, Rogers and Cogeco aren't thrilled about it. Many companies had been challenging the decision and asked cabinet to review it. A year later, they are 'dismayed,' 'shocked' and 'profoundly disappointed' by the federal government's decision. 'Virtually the entire industry, including small and regional providers, urged our elected officials to reverse the CRTC decision,' Rogers Communication said in a statement. 'The impact of this decision will include cuts to capital investment, a loss of network construction jobs, and reduced competition which will mean higher prices for Canadians.' In an analyst call on Thursday morning, Bell Canada's CEO Mirko Bibic said he was 'disappointed' and urged the government and the CRTC 'to ensure that network builders are fully compensated for significant build costs and investment risks they take in building.' Bell Canada's executive vice president, Robert Malcolmson, recently said that 'as a direct result' of the policy, his company has reduced its capital expenditures by $500 million in 2025 alone and by over $1.2 billion since the CRTC's initial decision in November 2023. Rogers and Cogeco, for instance, are asking Ottawa to immediately reconsider this decision. 'The Federal Cabinet's inaction is unacceptable,' said Cogeco's President and CEO Frédéric Perron in a statement. 'The CRTC's current approach undermines choice and affordability, halting crucial innovation and investment vital for Canada's future,' he added. According to Cogeco, smaller or independent providers that don't have their own facilities could very well be threatened by this policy. The company said it would continue to challenge the CRTC's 'broken wholesale regime', including through the Federal Court of Appeal. Cogeco and Eastlink, a property of Bragg Communications, filed an appeal in July asking the court to quash the decision. National Post atrepanier@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
Ottawa Citizen
07-08-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa sides with CRTC to boost competitor access to fibre networks
Article content OTTAWA – Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has upheld the CRTC's wholesale regulatory framework for high-speed Internet services, giving Telus Corp. a victory after a long battle. But other telecom operators are furious. Article content In a landmark decision announced late Wednesday evening, Joly sided with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) after it decided to allow for greater competition on existing networks for high-speed Internet services across the country. Article content Article content Article content The CRTC authorized Canada's three major telecommunications companies to resell fibre optics to Internet service providers (ISPs) on their respective networks. Article content Article content This decision means, for example, that Telus, which is strong in Western Canada, can use other providers' networks to attract thousands of customers in Ontario and Quebec instead of building its own infrastructure. Article content 'By immediately increasing competition and consumer choice, the CRTC's decision aims to reduce the cost of high-speed Internet for Canadians and will contribute toward our broader mandate to bring down costs across the board,' said Joly in a statement. The August 2024 decision, confirmed in June 2025 by the regulator, was based on extensive expert consultation, and the CRTC received more than 300 public comments. Article content 'This decision… sends a strong signal to consumers, businesses and investors that the Canadian regulatory system is robust, transparent and effective in balancing the needs of stakeholders, and enabling government policy,' said Telus President and CEO Darren Entwistle. Article content Article content The CRTC recently said that 'several thousand Canadian households' are already benefiting from new plans offered by 'dozens of providers that are using the access enabled by the Final Decision.' Article content 'Changing course now would reverse the benefits of this increased competition and would prevent more Canadians from having new choices of ISPs in the future,' wrote the CRTC in its June 20 decision. Article content Telus has been lobbying lawmakers for over a year and even launched a petition that garnered over 300,000 signatures in support of the regulator's decision. Article content Entwistle signalled that his company is 'passionately committed to building national infrastructure and technology for the benefit of consumers, and the productivity and innovation of our private and public sectors.' Article content However, key players like Bell, Rogers and Cogeco aren't thrilled about it. Many companies had been challenging the decision and asked cabinet to review it.
Vancouver Sun
07-08-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ottawa sides with CRTC to boost competitor access to fibre networks
OTTAWA – Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has upheld the CRTC's wholesale regulatory framework for high-speed Internet services, giving Telus Corp. a victory after a long battle. But other telecom operators are furious. In a landmark decision announced late Wednesday evening, Joly sided with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) after it decided to allow for greater competition on existing networks for high-speed Internet services across the country. The CRTC authorized Canada's three major telecommunications companies to resell fibre optics to Internet service providers (ISPs) on their respective networks. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. This decision means, for example, that Telus, which is strong in Western Canada, can use other providers' networks to attract thousands of customers in Ontario and Quebec instead of building its own infrastructure. 'By immediately increasing competition and consumer choice, the CRTC's decision aims to reduce the cost of high-speed Internet for Canadians and will contribute toward our broader mandate to bring down costs across the board,' said Joly in a statement. The August 2024 decision, confirmed in June 2025 by the regulator, was based on extensive expert consultation, and the CRTC received more than 300 public comments. 'This decision… sends a strong signal to consumers, businesses and investors that the Canadian regulatory system is robust, transparent and effective in balancing the needs of stakeholders, and enabling government policy,' said Telus President and CEO Darren Entwistle. The CRTC recently said that 'several thousand Canadian households' are already benefiting from new plans offered by 'dozens of providers that are using the access enabled by the Final Decision.' 'Changing course now would reverse the benefits of this increased competition and would prevent more Canadians from having new choices of ISPs in the future,' wrote the CRTC in its June 20 decision. Telus has been lobbying lawmakers for over a year and even launched a petition that garnered over 300,000 signatures in support of the regulator's decision. Entwistle signalled that his company is 'passionately committed to building national infrastructure and technology for the benefit of consumers, and the productivity and innovation of our private and public sectors.' However, key players like Bell, Rogers and Cogeco aren't thrilled about it. Many companies had been challenging the decision and asked cabinet to review it. A year later, they are 'dismayed,' 'shocked' and 'profoundly disappointed' by the federal government's decision. 'Virtually the entire industry, including small and regional providers, urged our elected officials to reverse the CRTC decision,' Rogers Communication said in a statement. 'The impact of this decision will include cuts to capital investment, a loss of network construction jobs, and reduced competition which will mean higher prices for Canadians.' In an analyst call on Thursday morning, Bell Canada's CEO Mirko Bibic said he was 'disappointed' and urged the government and the CRTC 'to ensure that network builders are fully compensated for significant build costs and investment risks they take in building.' Bell Canada's executive vice president, Robert Malcolmson, recently said that 'as a direct result' of the policy, his company has reduced its capital expenditures by $500 million in 2025 alone and by over $1.2 billion since the CRTC's initial decision in November 2023. Rogers and Cogeco, for instance, are asking Ottawa to immediately reconsider this decision. 'The Federal Cabinet's inaction is unacceptable,' said Cogeco's President and CEO Frédéric Perron in a statement. 'The CRTC's current approach undermines choice and affordability, halting crucial innovation and investment vital for Canada's future,' he added. According to Cogeco, smaller or independent providers that don't have their own facilities could very well be threatened by this policy. The company said it would continue to challenge the CRTC's 'broken wholesale regime', including through the Federal Court of Appeal. Cogeco and Eastlink, a property of Bragg Communications, filed an appeal in July asking the court to quash the decision. National Post atrepanier@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Edmonton Journal
07-08-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Ottawa sides with CRTC to boost competitor access to fibre networks
OTTAWA – Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has upheld the CRTC's wholesale regulatory framework for high-speed Internet services, giving Telus Corp. a victory after a long battle. But other telecom operators are furious. Article content In a landmark decision announced late Wednesday evening, Joly sided with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) after it decided to allow for greater competition on existing networks for high-speed Internet services across the country. Article content Article content Article content The CRTC authorized Canada's three major telecommunications companies to resell fibre optics to Internet service providers (ISPs) on their respective networks. Article content Article content This decision means, for example, that Telus, which is strong in Western Canada, can use other providers' networks to attract thousands of customers in Ontario and Quebec instead of building its own infrastructure. Article content 'By immediately increasing competition and consumer choice, the CRTC's decision aims to reduce the cost of high-speed Internet for Canadians and will contribute toward our broader mandate to bring down costs across the board,' said Joly in a statement. The August 2024 decision, confirmed in June 2025 by the regulator, was based on extensive expert consultation, and the CRTC received more than 300 public comments. Article content 'This decision… sends a strong signal to consumers, businesses and investors that the Canadian regulatory system is robust, transparent and effective in balancing the needs of stakeholders, and enabling government policy,' said Telus President and CEO Darren Entwistle. Article content Article content The CRTC recently said that 'several thousand Canadian households' are already benefiting from new plans offered by 'dozens of providers that are using the access enabled by the Final Decision.' Article content 'Changing course now would reverse the benefits of this increased competition and would prevent more Canadians from having new choices of ISPs in the future,' wrote the CRTC in its June 20 decision. Article content Telus has been lobbying lawmakers for over a year and even launched a petition that garnered over 300,000 signatures in support of the regulator's decision. Article content Entwistle signalled that his company is 'passionately committed to building national infrastructure and technology for the benefit of consumers, and the productivity and innovation of our private and public sectors.' Article content However, key players like Bell, Rogers and Cogeco aren't thrilled about it. Many companies had been challenging the decision and asked cabinet to review it.
Edmonton Journal
02-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Internet service providers fear feds will side with CRTC on ruling boosting competitor access to fibre networks
Article content OTTAWA — The federal government is set to make a highly anticipated decision in the coming weeks regarding internet affordability. The CRTC recently reiterated its decision issued last year authorizing Canada's three major telecommunications companies to resell fibre optics to internet service providers (ISP) on their respective networks. At the time, then-Minister of Industry François-Philippe Champagne asked the regulator to review its decision, which notably grants Telus more options to access new markets. Article content According to the regulator, 'several thousand Canadian households' are already benefiting from new plans offered by 'dozens of providers that are using the access enabled by the Final Decision.' 'Changing course now would reverse the benefits of this increased competition and would prevent more Canadians from having new choices of ISPs in the future,' wrote the CRTC in its June 20 decision. However, many telecommunications companies are fighting back and exerting pressure on the federal government, particularly Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, to overturn the CRTC's decision, arguing that it will have a negative impact on investment and competition across the country. For them, the case is not over and the final decision has not yet been rendered. They have financial analyses, including from Bank of America and National Bank, that predict 'a decline in future investments in telecommunications infrastructure' if the decision is maintained. Article content Federal cabinet is expected to confirm or overturn the CRTC decision by Aug. 13. 'We take note of the CRTC's decision to retain mandated wholesale access to fibre networks,' said Joly's spokesperson, Isabella Orozco-Madison, in a statement. 'Cabinet will make its decision on the petition before it in due course.' The battle between the telecom giants, which began years ago before the federal regulator, is highly political in nature. A source indicated that Telus is also making every effort to ensure that the CRTC's decision is upheld by Ottawa. In an interview with National Post, Cogeco Communications' chief legal and corporate officer said that telecoms will play a crucial role in Canada's defence, housing, energy, artificial intelligence and agriculture sectors, and that the government must adopt policies that will promote their prosperity. Article content 'It's really about the moment we're in as a country, and we don't have time for regulation that doesn't make sense and defeats its own objectives,' said Paul Cowling. Smaller providers like Cogeco, or even independent providers that don't have their own facilities, could very well be threatened by this policy if Ottawa signs off on it, they say. 'We want to compete, and we want to offer more choice in the marketplace… That becomes very challenging when your biggest competitors, who have many advantages over you, are empowered by the regulator to compete unfairly against you,' said Cowling. For example, this decision would give Telus, which is strong in Western Canada, the opportunity to use other providers' networks to add thousands of customers in Ontario and Quebec instead of building its own infrastructure. Bell Canada's executive vice president, Robert Malcolmson, recently said that 'as a direct result' of the policy, his company has reduced its capital expenditures by $500 million in 2025 alone and by over $1.2 billion since the CRTC's initial decision in November 2023. Article content 'The CRTC policy will continue to have major negative impacts well into the future,' he wrote in a scathing statement. In the meantime, Telus keeps telling Canadians how important this policy is. The Vancouver-based provider launched a petition online that has gained over 300,000 signatures to support the CRTC decision. In the petition description, Telus writes 'the federal government tried to limit competition, and could do so again' and that 'some home internet carriers are still trying to restrict the brands you can choose from.' 'Upholding the decision reinforces the independence of expert regulators, which is necessary to create the certainty needed for Canadian businesses to continue to invest with confidence,' said Telus director of public affairs Richard Gilhooley. Recently, B.C. premier David Eby said he was 'pleased to see CRTC's decision to uphold its ruling allowing for greater competition.' Latest National Stories
