Cable / Telecom News

Stakeholders weigh in on removing price floor test for NWTel


By Denis Carmel GATINEAU – Should Northwestel (NWTel) be able to lower its Internet access rates? Intuitively, considering its rates are exceedingly high, we would be inclined to say yes but … it is not that simple. As NWTel reminds us in its application to the CRTC in December 2021, “We are the only company in Canada to have retail rate regulation of our Internet services.” BCE owned NWTel, which serves Canada’s North, is regulated differently than other telecom companies – a reflection its own specific circumstances. Because of the high cost of providing service, it receives significant subsidies from southern telcos...