OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC wants Canadians to sound off about their access to basic telephone and Internet services.
The Commission launched an on-line consultation Friday as part of a proceeding that will include a public hearing beginning on October 26, 2010, in Timmins, ON. The Regulator said that it wants to examine its current regulations in response to the numerous “technological and competitive changes” in the industry, and whether the obligation to provide certain services should be modified in light of the technologies available today.
The topics for discussion are:
– the services that should be included as part of a basic telephone service;
– the role of the CRTC in ensuring that Canadians have access to broadband Internet service;
– whether cell phones can serve as a substitute for landlines; and
– whether wireless Internet services can serve as a substitute for landline Internet services.
The on-line consultation, which will close at midnight EST on August 20, 2010, can be found at www.obligationtoserve.publivate.ca
