CRTC should lift regulations for small incumbents’ wireline voice services: ITPA

The Independent Telecommunications Providers Association (ITPA) has filed its reply to interventions by major players over its request for lighter regulations for its members. The ITPA represents 21 independent incumbent telecom firms in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. In a Part 1 application to the CRTC in April, it argued that its members are subject to “extensive” tariff regulations that no longer make sense, given that wireless services have brought increased competition to areas where they previously held monopolies. The group is asking the CRTC to forbear from regulating the local exchange services of small incumbent local exchange carriers (SILECs), meaning that instead of regulating this group of businesses itself in their relevant areas, the CRTC would rely on market forces to do the work to protect consumer interests. BCE Inc., Telus Corp., Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink, Quebecor Inc., and Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. (SaskTel), argued the regulator should instead launch a broader review of the wireline forbearance regimes for both small and large ILECs. The ITPA made three key points in its reply, submitted May 27. It stated that evidence on the record supports forbearance and the commission should refrain from regulating residential and business local exchange services offered by ITPA members. Even the larger players seemed to concede that point, finding other areas of concern to voice objections to the application, it noted. “None of the intervenors have disputed the ITPA’s evidence regarding the sources of competition in ITPA member incumbent operating territories,” the group wrote. Instead they conceded that there is sufficient competition through wireless and broadband options. Secondly, the regulator has no need to delay a decision on the ITPA filing, the association stated. It challenged Telus’ suggestion that the commission throw out the application and begin a wider consultation on forbearance. “Telus is incorrect. A general review of the local forbearance regime is not the primary issue in this proceeding,” the ITPA replied. “The primary issue in this proceeding is whether the ITPA has made the case to support its request for forbearance in the exchanges of ITPA members that have not already been forborne.” Finally, the association stated it was not seeking to modify the existing SILEC forbearance test. Market realities have overtaken the landscape since the SILEC test was implemented back in 2009. Standards which are more than 15 years old should not be used to determine if enough competition exists in the marketplace, ITPA concluded. Current conditions show that that competition is operating in ITPA members’ footprints. news@thewirereport.ca

CRTC should lift regulations for small incumbents’ wireline voice services: ITPA

Regulatory |
By Wire Report Staff
| May 28, 2025

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CRTC should lift regulations for small incumbents’ wireline voice services: ITPA

Regulatory | By Wire Report Staff | May 28, 2025

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Regulatory |
By Wire Report Staff
| May 28, 2025