GATINEAU – In a decision released February 14, the CRTC ruled resellers, such as Frontier Networks, an independent Toronto-based provider of broadband, voice, physical, and network security for businesses, can themselves offer services to other resellers. That CRTC decision now applies to all cable providers and clarifies the third party internet access rules.
In April 2018, the Commission received an application from Frontier where the company complained about Eastlink’s refusal to allow Frontier to continue to resell HSA service to its two reseller customers.
In December 2018, the CRTC ruled in favour of Frontier determining Eastlink had to let resellers offer high-speed access (HAS) service on a wholesale basis, too. But it denied Frontier’s request for damages ($71,760) and the imposition of monetary penalties, arguing that Eastlink actions were motivated by a misunderstanding of the rules.
“In light of its determination in Telecom Decision 99-8 to not place restrictions on resale, and its wholesale framework’s objective of providing Canadians with reasonably priced and innovative services of high quality,” the December 2018 CRTC decision reads.
In Friday’s decision, the CRTC concluded even though other cable and telephone providers do not have restrictions on the resale of HAS, for greater clarity the wording in the tariff should state more explicitly that resale is allowed and that wording is now determined and companies have to file reworded Tariffs
Wholesalers use services like Frontier so they don’t have to themselves deal individually with a number of incumbent providers when they offer services in more than one area, and the complexity that comes with navigating the complexities of rules and regulations.
