The Canadian telecom industry is dominated by Telus, Rogers, and BCE, who jointly control approximately 90 percent of the market. A measure proposed in 2016 to encourage competition by lowering fees for smaller companies has been dismissed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRCT), reports Telecom.com. The decision was lauded by Telus, Rogers and BCE, but did not play well in all quarters.
Taking his frustrations to Twitter, Peter Nowak, VP at TekSavvy Solutions Inc. tweeted, “The CRTC, run by a former Telus VP, just gave a giant middle finger to consumers, indie ISPs, and competition, and gave carte blanche to Bell, Rogers et al to raise our internet rates as much as they damn well want, ad infinitum.”
For its part, Bell’s official response called the CRTC’s ruling a “positive decision.”
Adding the government’s viewpoint, federal minister for innovation, science and economic development, Francois-Philippe Champagne, said the government, “will be reviewing the decision and its implications to ensure they align with our policy priorities of affordability, competition and innovation in the sector.”
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