OTTAWA – The CRTC is calling for comments on wholesale mobile wireless roaming as it prepares to reconsider its March decision that set the final terms and conditions for wholesale mobile wireless roaming service.
The Commission said Thursday that the Governor in Council referred Telecom Decision 2017-56 back for reconsideration in an order dated June 1st, and that its reconsideration must be completed prior to March 31, 2018.
The CRTC said that it is seeking comments, with supporting rationale, on whether a different conclusion than it reached in March is warranted with respect to the issue of how the concept of “home network” should be defined. Specifically, parties are invited to address the following questions:
Q1. What other forms of connectivity could technically constitute a home network?
Q2. Should other forms of connectivity, such as Wi-Fi, be included in the definition of “home network”? If so, which ones should be included?
Q3. How would an expanded definition of “home network” impact the affordability of retail mobile wireless services to Canadian consumers?
Q4. How would an expanded definition of “home network” impact investment in mobile wireless network infrastructure?
Q5. How would an expanded definition of “home network” impact competition in the market for retail mobile wireless services?
Q6. How should the Commission weigh any potential positive impact on affordability against any potential negative impact on investment?
Q7. If an expanded definition of “home network” were to be adopted:
- Should the Commission impose usage limits to ensure that the end-users of any alternative wireless service provider (e.g. Wi-Fi-first providers) do not access the national wireless carriers’ networks on a permanent basis? How could such usage limits be established and operationalized?
- Should the Commission subject alternative wireless service providers to a different tariffed wholesale roaming rate for access to the national wireless carriers’ networks? If so, how could such a rate be determined?
- Are there any other regulatory measures that could be imposed to mitigate potential negative impacts of requiring the national wireless carriers to allow roaming by customers of alternative wireless service providers on the carriers’ networks?
- Should there be a requirement for alternative wireless service providers to own or operate home networks?
- To what extent should alternative wireless service providers have to comply with existing regulations (e.g. provision of 9-1-1, registration with the Commission, and consumer safeguards) to qualify for access under the tariff?
Q8. In order to support the Commission’s ongoing monitoring of the mobile wireless market as set out in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-177, provide your views on the competitiveness of this market. Include supporting data.
The deadline for the submission of interventions is September 8, 2017.
