Big telcos must provide small ISPs access to their fibre networks, says CRTC

The national telecom regulator has officially implemented new rules that industry watchers predict will lead to cheaper internet rates.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has issued a decision requiring the big telecom companies to offer wholesale access to their fibre networks.

While consumer advocates are applauding the move, at least one group suggests the CRTC could have gone further to ensure a level playing field for independent internet service providers, or ISPs.

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The new requirements were developed last summer, but were delayed after telecom giant Bell Canada launched unsuccessful appeals to both the federal cabinet and the CRTC.

Bell told hearings on Canada's internet market in late 2014 that its investment in so-called fibre-to-home technology would slow or stop should it be forced to offer smaller competitors greater access to its networks.

The lengthy and highly technical ruling will require Bell, Cogeco Cable Inc., Rogers Communications Canada Inc., and Videotron to provide their competitors access to what are known as disaggregated wholesale high-speed access services, including fibre-to-home connections.