CRTC takes next step to create more mobile wireless competition in Canada

the CRTC completed a key step to create more competition and choice in the mobile wireless market for Canadians. The CRTC has made decisions on the terms and conditions of the service that will support the deployment of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), enhancing the ability of regional wireless providers to offer more competition and choice to Canadians.

The CRTC is implementing measures to accelerate competition in new areas while regional wireless providers build out their networks. These measures will govern the relationships between the regional providers and Bell Mobility, Rogers Communications, Telus and SaskTel.

Among other things, the CRTC is:

• opening the door for more companies, in particular smaller regional wireless providers in more rural areas, to provide greater
• competition and choice to more Canadians by accessing the wireless networks of Canada’s largest providers
• ensuring that the calls and data sessions of MVNO subscribers do not drop when they move between coverage zones
• ensuring that MVNO access is offered on current and future wireless networks, including 5G,
• denying several provisions that would make the MVNO access service more restrictive or difficult to use by regional wireless providers, and
• preventing any provisions that would restrict regional providers from reselling their wholesale access to other MVNOs.

The large wireless providers must now begin accepting requests for access to their networks and enter negotiations with regional wireless providers to agree on wholesale MVNO rates.

CT Bureau