By Ahmad Hathout
Cogeco is launching in certain service areas an internet package with theoretical download speeds of up to 2 Gbps for its customers and wholesalers, according to a submission to the CRTC and confirmed to us by the company.
A Cogeco spokesperson told Cartt that an official announcement for the introduction has yet to be made, so there are no details as to where the package may be available. Per speed matching rules, Cogeco will also introduce the speeds for wholsalers, who will get upload speeds of up to 140 Mbps available on an aggregated basis on its hybrid cable network and on a disaggregated basis on direct fibre, according to the Wednesday filing asking the commission for approval.
Instead of supporting a new proposed rate via “Phase II” cost studies – on the basis the CRTC is reviewing that method of justifying rates – Cogeco is instead proposing an interim access rate based on the next lowest speed tier, which is the company’s 1.5 Gbps speed for $97.12 on its cable network and $172.43 on the direct fibre infrastructure based on its 1 Gbps tier.
This is despite the fact that Cogeco says it objects to the “Commission’s practice of adopting the nearest lower approved aggregated HSA as a proxy when a cost study is not filed.
“In the case of this application, more specifically, it would be inappropriate and prejudicial to use as a proxy the nearest lower approved HSA DOCSIS-HFC rate, which was set for a maximum speed of 250 Mbps, almost eight times slower than the speeds introduced today.”
In this case, until the commission’s decision, its proposal is “reasonable and expedient” and provides consistency and predictability for wholesalers, it said.
“Cogeco also awaits clarification from the Commission on the proposed Phase II cost study manuals for cable carriers, and the Commission’s position on the methodological proposals and adjustments related to TPIA tariff applications, addressed in recent Requests for Information,” the telecom said in its filing.
“Cogeco will be better positioned to submit cost studies to support the introduction of new bands once the above issues will have been addressed by the Commission.”
CEO Frederic Perron said on the telecom’s latest quarterly conference call that its footprint is utilizing mainly DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which provides more than 1 Gbps speeds on its hybrid network. He said the adoption of DOCSIS 4.0 – with trials showing the new modem can hit theoretical download speeds of at least 8 Gbps – will come with time.
