TORONTO – The CRTC seems prepared to follow up a busy 2008 with an even busier 2009, judging by its six telecom industry initiatives for the coming year, outlined by CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Tuesday morning.
Last year saw the CRTC tackle issues such as wireless 911, the National Do Not Call List, improved accessibility to communications services for disabled persons (with a decision coming this month, said von Finckenstein), and improved dispute resolution, among other initiatives. For the year ahead, the CRTC will expand on some of its recent work while also pushing forward with new initiatives, von Finckenstein said.
Building on its decision related to wireless 911 services, the CRTC is now looking at the issue of providing emergency service response to users of nomadic Voice-over-IP (VOIP) phones, von Finckenstein said. The CRTC is currently soliciting comments from telecom companies regarding the costs associated with implementing VOIP 911 services, including the issue of who should pay for the system, and whether or not small access service providers should be exempt.
“There should be a way that we can solve this issue,” von Finckenstein said. “I think it’s just a matter of effort and money.”
Telecom companies and other interested parties have been asked to make submissions regarding VoIP 911 by August 7. The CRTC hopes to have the VoIP 911 issue resolved, along with wireless 911 in general, by 2010, von Finckenstein said.
Internet traffic management will face a hearing next month (beginning July 6) and will be closely watched by web denizens and the industry, especially since the CRTC denied the Canadian Association of Internet Providers’ request that Bell Canada stop its so-called “Internet throttling” practice for wholesale customers.
“We came to the conclusion that what Bell was doing was legitimate,” von Finckenstein said. “However, we realized the problem is much bigger than what was brought before us at that time.”
A third area of focus in 2009 for the CRTC is the issue of local broadband access. Launched on May 8, the local broadband access proceeding will be limited initially to the delivery of broadband Internet services to residential customers, von Finckenstein said. He explained that the public hearing component of the proceeding will not begin until Nov. 16.
Fourth on the CRTC’s agenda for 2009 is the issue of spam and other online threats. The federal government’s proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Act, introduced to Parliament on April 24, will give the CRTC the main enforcement responsibilities for dealing with spam and related online problems, von Finckenstein explained.
“Spam is more than a nuisance,” he said. “It is being used for spyware, malware, phishing and other problems that undermine confidence in the electronic marketplace.”
Under the proposed legislation, the CRTC will be able to impose monetary penalties up to $1 million for individuals and $10 million for businesses. In addition, a private right of action will allow consumers and businesses to take civil action to try to recoup financial losses incurred as a result of the spam or other malicious online activity, von Finckenstein said.
The chair also reiterated his personal opinion that the Canadian regulatory environment should consist of a single Act that governs both the broadcasting and telecommunications industries. “I’m still of that view,” von Finckenstein said. “However, getting there is not that easy.”
In the meantime, the CRTC sees the need for a national digital strategy – its sixth initiative for 2009 – that will provide consensus on how to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital revolution, von Finckenstein said. He added that other countries have successfully developed national strategies, such as the United Kingdom with its Digital Britain initiative.
The Commission will be at the table next week when Industry Canada gathers for a forum on the matter in Ottawa.
