CRTC subjects large cablecos to high speed access rules
The CRTC has amended its findings on what companies constitute larger cable carriers. The commission's Telecom Decision 99-8 concerned the regulation of incumbent cable carriers' high-speed access services. When the initial ruling came out in July of last year, seven firms were categorized as "larger": Rogers Communications Inc, Vidéotron ltée, Shaw Communications Inc, Cogeco Câble Canada inc, Moffat Communications Ltd, Fundy Cable Ltd and Bragg Communications Inc.
Moffat and Bragg submitted documents that contended they should not be considered among the larger carriers. (Fundy, which has since been sold to Shaw, is no longer a player.) Both said that their customers are spread over a large geographic area, making providing high-speed Internet service unlikely. The arguments were compelling for the commission, which ruled that both firms should be removed from the list. It has determined in Order 2000-317 that Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw and Vidéotron will be considered larger carriers, with the others relegated to minor status. It ordered the bigger companies to form customer services groups to handle access requests from other ISPs and said it favours the standard non-disclosure agreements. Those agreements are to be filed by the big four by May 29.

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