OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC wrapped up its review of the country’s telecom regulations Thursday after cutting out a lot of red tape.
The Commission said that it has either eliminated or streamlined over 60% of its 80 telecommunications regulations, though left alone regulations deemed to be in the public interest such as those relating to 911 services, accessibility, and customer privacy.
The review concluded with a decision regarding telephone wiring in which the CRTC directed large telephone companies to provide a free diagnostic service if their customers experience a problem with their phone line and do not have a jack-ended demarcation device (a special jack commonly found either in the basement or outside the home). Companies must install this jack following the diagnostic service, after which customers can perform the diagnostic themselves by plugging their phone into it. If they hear a dial tone, then the problem is with the inside wiring and they can choose a repair service. If they do not hear a dial tone, then the problem is in the network outside and the telephone company must repair it free of charge.
"Service providers should have as much flexibility as possible to bring innovative communications services to Canadians," said Leonard Katz, the CRTC's acting chairman and vice-chairman of telecommunications, in a statement. "We have gone to great lengths to reduce costs and red tape for the industry by ensuring that our regulatory measures don't interfere with a competitive marketplace, while maintaining necessary protection for Canadians."
The CRTC began its review of the telco regulations in 2007 following the government's policy direction to rely as much as possible on market forces. Going forward, the CRTC said that it will continue to favour market forces and “carefully weigh the need for any new regulations”, noting the potential administrative burden on small Canadian businesses.
