Canada’s Largest Telecom Companies Asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) not to force expansion 2021 MVNO Framework for enterprise, IoT (Internet of Things), and M2M (Machine to Machine) market segments.
it comes after commission Started proceedings on 1 March To assess whether mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) should be able to take advantage of Rogers, Bell, Telus, and SaskTel’s (“the incumbents”) wireless networks to serve those other markets.
The CRTC took the preliminary view that the IoT/M2M market segment is similar to the rest of the consumer retail markets that are currently regulated under the MVNO framework.
Bell rejected the commission’s proposal, arguing that enterprise, IoT and M2M services are not excluded from that regulatory regime, they are simply part of a different product market.
Rogers, along with Telus and SaskTel, supported that view, saying that these market segments are already competitive and that these markets – alone or with other carriers – do not have market power.
“If the market is competitive, regulatory intervention is neither needed nor appropriate,” Bell’s intervention read. “In that case, the Commission does not have a role to introduce distorting regulation in an attempt to eliminate competitive discrimination between market participants or potential participants or to artificially favor some competitors at the expense of others.”
Telus and Bell also noted that the CRTC did not take into account Videotron’s expansion as a result of its acquisition of Freedom Mobile, which would give the Quebec-based carrier “the ability to offer new incentives to nationally operated businesses”. Can do. The Competition Tribunal argued in its examination of the Rogers–Shaw merger.
Bell said, “Simply put, Videotron does not need the Commission’s assistance to effectively serve enterprise wireless and IoT/M2M customers.
Unsurprisingly, Quebecor supported the inclusion of these market segments under the MVNO regime.
Furthermore, SaskTel argued that the MVNO regime is not yet active in Canada and that the Commission should test the effectiveness of the framework before implementing any changes.
Accordingly, the incumbents have filed their tariffs in 2022 based on the terms and conditions set forth by the CRTC, to ensure that wholesale MVNO access service is as cost-effective as possible.
Ecotel, which supported the CRTC’s initial approach, said the commission should “find a way to streamline the process and provide answers to incumbents in a timely manner. Such delays have a negative impact on businesses, innovation and ultimately customers.” have a significant impact.
Cogeco, which plans to enter the wireless business through the MVNO model, has acknowledged the CRTC’s concerns that the exclusion of the IoT/M2M market segment from the MVNO access framework would unfairly discriminate against emerging MVNOs and Undue loss to retail customers.
Transatel, the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC), the Independent Telecom Providers Association, and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, also supported the CRTC’s initial approach.
