Canadian telecom giants Rogers, Telus, adn Bell are facing criticism for allegedly exploiting regulatory loopholes to stifle competition and inflate internet prices for consumers. In a recent op-ed published in The Globe and Mail, Lee Bragg, executive vice chair of Eastlink, and Frédéric Perron, president and CEO of cogeco, accused the “Big 3” of leveraging outdated regulations to dominate regional networks.
The executives argue that the CRTC’s “Regulated Wholesale Internet” rules, initially designed two decades ago to support smaller internet providers, are now being weaponized by the Big 3. By acquiring smaller competitors like Distributel and EBOX, Rogers, Telus, and Bell have gained access to these regional networks, reselling services at regulated prices and effectively undermining competition.
“For regional providers like Cogeco, nearly half of the network users are now customers of Bell, Rogers, or Telus,” Bragg and Perron wrote. They contend that this practice not only weakens competition but also drives up prices and limits consumer choice.
The federal government has requested the CRTC to re-evaluate whether Rogers, Telus, and Bell should be allowed to continue utilizing smaller networks under these regulations. Bragg and Perron welcomed this move, emphasizing that banning this practice is crucial to protect competition, foster innovation, and ensure affordable internet access for all Canadians.
“We urge the CRTC to act decisively and close this loophole,” they stated. “The future of a competitive and affordable internet market in Canada depends on it.”
A fierce debate is brewing in Canada over the future of internet access,pitting smaller internet providers against industry giants like Rogers. At the heart of the controversy lies a practice known as “wholesale internet access,” which allows smaller companies to purchase internet bandwidth from the “Big 3” telecom providers (Rogers, Bell, and Telus) at wholesale rates and resell it to consumers.
While this practice has helped foster competition and offer consumers more choices, some argue it’s time for a change. rogers, for one, has publicly called on the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to put an end to wholesale internet access. They contend that this practice unfairly benefits smaller competitors and hinders the ability of larger companies to invest in network infrastructure.
“The future of Canada’s internet landscape depends on closing this loophole,” Rogers stated, urging the CRTC to act swiftly in favor of consumers rather than the telecom incumbent monopoly.
The CRTC, Canada’s telecommunications regulator, is currently reviewing the issue and is expected to make a decision in the coming months.This decision could have meaningful implications for the Canadian internet market, possibly reshaping the competitive landscape and impacting consumer choices and prices.
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between promoting competition and ensuring a sustainable future for Canada’s telecommunications infrastructure. As the CRTC weighs it’s options, Canadians will be watching closely to see how this decision will shape the future of their internet access.
## Interview: “Big 3” Telecoms Under Fire: Are Canadians Paying the Price for Limited Competition?
**World Today News:** Today, we’re joined by [**Expert name**], a leading expert on telecommunications policy and consumer rights. [**Expert Name**], thanks for joining us.
**[Expert Name]:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**World Today News:** as you know, Canadian telecom giants Rogers, Telus, and Bell are facing renewed criticism for allegedly exploiting regulatory loopholes to stifle competition. This comes on the heels of a recent op-ed in *The Globe and Mail* by executives from eastlink and Cogeco, who accused the “Big 3″ of leveraging outdated regulations to dominate regional networks.What are your thoughts on this situation?
**[Expert Name]:** This is a complex issue with serious implications for Canadian consumers. The “Regulated Wholesale Internet” rules, designed two decades ago to support smaller ISPs, are indeed being used by the Big 3 to their advantage.
By acquiring smaller competitors and then reselling internet access through these regional networks at regulated prices, they are effectively squeezing out independent ISPs and limiting consumer choice.
**World Today News:** So, you agree with the Eastlink and Cogeco executives that these practices are anti-competitive?
**[Expert Name]:** Absolutely. The lack of competition in the Canadian telecommunications market has bred complacency and a tendency to prioritize profits over consumer needs. This ultimately translates to higher prices and slower innovation for Canadians.
**World Today News:** What specifically needs to be addressed to level the playing field and foster a more competitive landscape?
**[Expert Name]:** There are several crucial steps. Firstly, the CRTC needs to revisit the “Regulated Wholesale Internet” rules and update them to reflect the current market reality. The rules need to prevent the Big 3 from leveraging acquisition strategies to control regional networks.
Secondly, we need to encourage the entry of new players into the market. This could involve providing incentives for smaller ISPs, promoting infrastructure sharing, and investing in rural broadband expansion.
greater transparency is needed. The CRTC should actively monitor pricing practices and intervene when necessary to ensure fair competition.
**World Today News:** What impact do you foresee if these issues remain unaddressed?
**[Expert Name]:** the consequences for canadian consumers could be significant. we risk facing continuously increasing prices, limited choice, and slower internet speeds compared to other developed countries. This could have a detrimental effect on our economy, education system, and overall quality of life.
**World Today News:** Thank you,[**Expert Name**],for sharing your insights on this critical issue.
**Note:** Remember to replace “[Expert Name]” with the name of your chosen expert. You could also incorporate relevant data and statistics into the interview for added impact. ensure your chosen expert has expertise in telecommunications policy and consumer rights to lend credibility to the interview.
