WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Saying it is surprised and disappointed by the CRTC’s decision last week to overturn its August 2019 ruling to lower wholesale Internet rates, independent carrier Execulink Telecom said today it is now considering its next steps in the wake of the Commission’s decision.
“At this time, Execulink is evaluating its market and pricing strategy in light of the CRTC’s new regulatory direction that inhibits competitor success, and the outcome for its customers,” reads the company’s press release.
After the Commission originally decided in 2019 to lower the wholesale fees independent ISPs have to pay the large incumbents, Execulink lowered prices for most of its customers where it is a third-party Internet access (TPIA) provider.
Other independent ISPs (some of whom, like TekSavvy and Distributel, also announced price reductions back then) have said they’re now re-examining their business plans after the Commission’s TPIA pricing reversal, too.
“We are extremely disappointed with the CRTC’s decision,” said Ian Stevens, president and CEO of Execulink, in the company’s release. “Our top priority is to be able to provide our customers with an affordable, awesome experience connecting them to the things and people that matter. Unfortunately, this decision by the CRTC will force us to evaluate how we can continue to provide services at an affordable price our customers deserve.
“The CRTC’s job is to create a stable, regulatory environment, and its sudden change from its 2019 decision destabilizes competition in Canada, forcing rates to increase,” adds Stevens. “Small Internet service providers are negatively impacted by this decision, however it is the consumers who will suffer the most because of it.”
Execulink notes in its release the federal government has said it is reviewing the Commission’s decision to ensure it aligns with the government’s “priorities of affordability, competition and innovation in the sector,” (which is how Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne put it in a statement last Thursday.)
“Execulink will be working with partners to help continue the fight for fair and affordable internet rates,” concludes the company’s release.
