Ottawa says it will direct the country’s telecom regulator to take a stronger stance to spur more competition, lower prices and improve services.
The federal department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on Thursday announced a proposed new policy direction for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission .
The 2019 decision set lower wholesale rates but they never came into effect because of a series of appeals by the big companies. In last year’s ruling, the CRTC largely reverted back to higher prices that had been set on an interim basis in 2016. The announcement comes only three years after the Liberal government issued another policy direction to the CRTC, one that also focused on competition, lower prices and consumer welfare.
In both cases, the government said it wants the CRTC to support measures that would make it easier for smaller players to compete. It said prices have been coming down for wireless service but “more progress can still be made,” and mid-range and higher-end home internet plans are also expensive when compared to other countries.
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