TPIA: CNOC says disputed payments are like an "interest-free loan," to incumbents

By Ahmad Hathout OTTAWA – The Canadian Network Operators Consortium say the inflated wholesale rates paid over the years to network owners are akin to its members providing the likes of Bell Canada and others interest-free loans. CNOC is disputing a legal claim made by Bell which says the retroactive wholesale payments the CRTC demanded in August the incumbents pay resellers is an unconstitutional tax. In its legal arguments to the Federal Court of Appeal last month, Bell said the repayment demand ordered by the Commission in August is illegal because the Regulator has no authority to levy taxes under...