OTTAWA – The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) has won an initial round in its battle to overhaul the CRTC’s wholesale wireline services decision.
In a letter dated March 20, the Commission agreed to suspend the 100 Mbps speed cap pending its final determinations on CNOC’s November 2018 application seeking to review and vary TRP 2015-326 and TD 2016-379.
Noting the review process for the disaggregated HSA tariffs for the incumbents is still ongoing, which creates uncertainty surrounding the final rates, terms, and conditions of these tariffs, the CRTC said the implementation of the speed cap could result in consumers being limited in their choice of service provider for speeds above 100 Mbps until disaggregated HSA services are available.
“Further, the Commission is concerned that implementing the Speed Cap as planned could prove disruptive for consumers in a growing segment of the retail Internet services market,” continues the letter, signed by CRTC secretary general Claude Doucet. “The Commission considers that, in the present circumstance, the public interest rests with the outcome with the lowest potential disruption for consumers, which would be to suspend the implementation of the Speed Cap until the Commission makes final determinations on the Application.”
The second stage of CNOC’s application will address the matter of removal of the speed cap, among other issues, and interventions on that portion are due by March 29. CNOC may file its reply comments by April 12, 2019.
