Phone companies flood CRTC with deregulation filings

note: while this isn't exactly a "broadcast" issue on the surface, it is a very important development considering the fact that telecom companies are also broadcasters. This tells us a) how the CRTC can be over-ruled by a sitting government and, b) just how powerful "market forces" can be in the decision-making process.

From CBC.ca

Canada's established phone companies have wasted no time in exercising their newly won freedom to apply for deregulation of local phone service across the country.

In the last 24 hours, Bell Canada, Telus, and Aliant have all filed applications with the CRTC for permission to relax the stringent rules that currently regulate how the big phone companies market local phone service and how much they must charge.

Bell Canada filed applications that would affect the markets in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, London, Hamilton, and Quebec City. It said more filings for other markets are on the way. Telus filed similar applications for Vancouver and Edmonton, and also said additional applications for deregulation in other major markets would be coming. Aliant filed for deregulation of markets in the Halifax area.

The flood of applications followed the announcement April 4 by Industry Minister Maxime Bernier that he would open competition in local phone markets where there are at least three different carriers in operation, including cellphone providers.

Canada's established phone companies have wasted no time in exercising their newly won freedom to apply for deregulation of local phone service across the country.
In the last 24 hours, Bell Canada, Telus, and Aliant have all filed applications with the CRTC for permission to relax the stringent rules that currently regulate how the big phone companies market local phone service and how much they must charge.

Bell Canada filed applications that would affect the markets in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, London, Hamilton, and Quebec City. It said more filings for other markets are on the way.

Telus filed similar applications for Vancouver and Edmonton, and also said additional applications for deregulation in other major markets would be coming.
Aliant filed for deregulation of markets in the Halifax area.
The flood of applications followed the announcement April 4 by Industry Minister Maxime Bernier that he would open competition in local phone markets where there are at least three different carriers in operation, including cellphone providers.

That overruled a CRTC policy that said the existing phone companies would continue to face restrictions in the local phone market unless their competitors had a 25 per cent share of the market.

Bernier said the new policy, which takes effect April 18, would lead to more choice for consumers and lower prices. That's certainly what the incumbent phone companies were saying Thursday.

"Local service deregulation in Vancouver and Edmonton will bring the full benefits of competition to these cities," said Telus executive vice-president Janet Yale in a statement.

Aliant said its customers "will experience the full benefits of competition, with greater value through increased choice and flexible offers that can be delivered in a more timely manner."