CHATHAM, Ont. — Main telecom firms in Canada are allegedly giving preferential entry to their networks in violation of the principles, TekSavvy Options Inc. mentioned Thursday because it requested the federal telecommunications regulator to research.
CHATHAM, Ont. — Main telecom firms in Canada are allegedly giving preferential entry to their networks in violation of the principles, TekSavvy Options Inc. mentioned Thursday because it requested the federal telecommunications regulator to research.
The web supplier mentioned the difficulty has taken on new prominence as a result of discounted entry to broadband networks is a part of Rogers Communications Inc.’s proposed buy of Shaw Communications Inc., which incorporates promoting Shaw’s Freedom Cell wi-fi enterprise to Videotron.
The association, as detailed in December hearings earlier than the Competitors Tribunal, contains beneficial charges for Videotron to entry Rogers’ web infrastructure, which the Tribunal says will assist make it a extra viable telecom competitor because it expands additional exterior of Quebec.
TekSavvy famous that the Competitors Tribunal cited the preferential charges in its reasoning for permitting the Rogers-Shaw deal to go forward.
TekSavvy, nonetheless, alleges that the providing of such reductions violates the Telecommunications Act which states that no service can provide unreasonable desire on charges. Rogers is just providing discounted the speed in order that it may well push its takeover of Shaw by way of, TekSavvy alleges.
“This transaction is designed so the dominant carriers can weaponize the [internet service providers] they acquired, utilizing below-tariff charges to get rid of us from the market,” mentioned Andy-Kaplan Myrth, TekSavvy’s vice-president of regulatory and service affairs, in a press release.
TekSavvy mentioned Bell Canada can be providing preferential charges to EBOX, an web supplier acquired by Bell, which can be not allowed as a result of the principles on discounted charges additionally lengthen to associates of firms.
Chatham, Ont.-based TekSavvy is asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Fee (CRTC) to research the matter and decide earlier than the federal authorities makes a remaining choice on the Rogers-Shaw merger.
It is also asking within the meantime for the CRTC to implement the decrease wholesale charges that had been set out in 2019 and overturned by Business Minister François-Philippe Champagne final yr.
Rogers and Videotron didn’t instantly present a response. Bell mentioned it could overview the applying when it receives it.
The Competitors Tribunal dismissed an try by the Competitors Bureau to dam the Rogers-Shaw deal late final yr in a call that mentioned the sale of Freedom to Videotron was enough to make sure competitors is not considerably lowered.
The Competitors Bureau is interesting the choice.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 19, 2023.
Firms on this story: (TSX:RCI.B, TSX:SJR.B, TSX:QBR.B, TSX:BCE)
The Canadian Press