The CRTC issued an important ruling today. It’s official: the Big 3 can continue to block Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) from setting up in Canada. OpenMedia commented after the ruling went up on the CRTC’s website.
The Commission denies a request from the Canadian Network Operators Consortium Inc. to review and vary certain determinations made in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-177. In that decision, the Commission determined, among other things, that it would not be appropriate to mandate wholesale mobile virtual network operator access services, and that it would generally rely on market forces to enable a competitive market to develop for these services. The Commission also determined that it would not mandate general wholesale tariffs for tower and site sharing services at that time, and that it would instead rely on its existing statutory powers to address issues related to the rates, terms, and conditions for such services.
This brings to an end the possible competition big telcos faced from MVNOs. The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) requested fair access for MVNOs, and the initiative was supported by OpenMedia as well. By the way, Canada wouldn’t be the first country to embrace MVNOs: the UK has done it, and as a result, customers pay far lower prices.
OpenMedia sees the decision as bad news in light of Wind’s acquisition by Shaw. “Canadians will soon have no affordable alternatives,” they say.
What’s more concerning, though, is the future of MVNO operators like Sugar Mobile, which offers services for a fraction of what Big 3 customers pay. Such players would be the truly independent, affordable alternatives Canadians could turn to.
But since Rogers was able to find the legal ground to shutter the business model — the carrier says the roaming deal with Ice Wireless, Sugar Mobile’s parent company, has been violated — Canadians will be forced to turn their attention to the already-established players.
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R.I.P competition in Canada????????. You never had a chance. Signed, The Pig 4.
Sad news – still hoping that Shaw’s Wind mobile will be something to shoot for. Otherwise we all need US addresses, so we can sign up for their cheaper plans 🙂
I guess my $60 6Gb plan is as good as it gets. I won’t pay a penny to US carriers even if they are cheaper. Canadians ftw. Just saying.
Canuck you don’t need to say anything as you bring useless info to the table. You need to quit showing off on your 6GB plan. It ain’t the best deal out there. Go screw yourself idiot!
It’s amazing how quickly the CRTC reverted back to being in bed with the big boys after the election.
Yeah I noticed that too.
What is happening in this country of ours. Ridiculous !
Guess Harper’s Conservatives were still domination and CRTC was scared when were around. As soon as Liberals came into power things took a
Nosedive for a consumer in this country. God be with us.
CRTC is supposed to be there for consumers not corporations. Disgusting.