[Advisors] CRTC drops wholesale internet rates

[Executive Director]

Thanks for this Marita! 

It's promising news, but unlike the media coverage would suggest, the CRTC has only mandated that a *component* of wholesale internet rates drop by 10%. This may work out to be much less than 10% of total wholesale rates: we're still waiting to hear more. 

The announcement is part of a larger CRTC review of the wholesale internet system that includes consideration of finally granting independent ISPs access to sell Fibre-to-the-Home/Premises (FTTP) internet, and other issues relating to wholesale regulation. Definitely pleased that the Commission seems to be taking this seriously and moving much more quickly than in years past. 

There are two different submissions that people can submit to as part of the hearing process. One at the end of April relates to giving independent ISPs quick access to FTTP services over existing infrastructure and one at the end of June that's more wide-ranging in terms of wholesale rates, FTTP access and other suggestions for how the CRTC could better regulate the internet for all Canadians. 

Here's the government's press release about it: [ https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2023/03/crtc-launches-review-of-approach-to-internet-services-competition-and-lowers-some-wholesale-rates-effectively-immediately.html | https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2023/03/crtc-launches-review-of-approach-to-internet-services-competition-and-lowers-some-wholesale-rates-effectively-immediately.html ] 

And here's the full Notice of Consultation: [ https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/2023-56.htm | https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/2023-56.htm ] 

Take care, 
Shelley 

Shelley Robinson (she/her) 
Executive Director 
National Capital FreeNet/Libertel de la Capital nationale 
206-1305 Richmond Rd. 
Ottawa, ON 
K2B 7Y4 
(613) 721-1773 ext. 1001 
[ http://www.ncf.ca/ | www.ncf.ca ] 


From: "Marita Moll" <mmoll at ca.inter.net> 
To: "TC Advisors" <advisors at tc.ca> 
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:57:28 PM 
Subject: [Advisors] CRTC drops wholesale internet rates 



The CRTC has finally done right by small internet providers and mandated an immediate 10% drop in wholesale rates for home and business internet access. This will make a big difference for the few community networks still offering internet access -- including the National Capital Freenet -- as well as private providers like Techsavvy, all of whom fought a lengthy battle to make this happen. 


It is something to celebrate. 

[ https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/crtc-drops-internet-wholesale-rates-to-boost-competition | https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/crtc-drops-internet-wholesale-rates-to-boost-competition ] 


Marita 




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