CRTC reaffirms VOIP decision; local forbearance to be examined

OTTAWA – The VOIP decision will stand, with a "but". Today the CRTC re-affirmed its May 2005 decision on voice over Internet protocol. Federal cabinet told the Commission in May of this year to reconsider that decision after all but one of Canada's ILEC's filed an appeal. However, the Commission did signal it's prepared to alter course when it deems necessary. Specifically, it "declared that competition in local telephone service is taking hold more firmly than anticipated," said this morning's press release. "As a result, the CRTC is taking steps to reassess certain aspects of its local forbearance framework. These...