[*] CRTC's response to the Gov't request to review local service regulation

[Bill Reid]

RTC TO REVIEW REGULATORY THRESHOLDS: Responding to the Federal
Government's request for a review of local service regulation (see Telecom
Update #529), the CRTC has reaffirmed its Voice over IP regulatory regime
while initiating a reassessment of two local service regulatory
thresholds.

** CRTC Telecom Decision 2006-53 declines to deregulate VoIP
    service, as Canada's major telcos had requested, and
    reaffirms that VoIP is a telephony service. (See Telecom
    Update #481, 490)

** The Decision states that recent market share data warrant
    a review of the 25% market-share threshold that incumbent
    phone companies must lose in order to qualify for
    regulatory forbearance. Also up for review is the 20%
    threshold for removing the local service winback rule.
    (See Telecom Update #524)

** Dissenting opinions were filed by Commissioners Barbara
    Cram, Stuart Langford, and Andree Noel.

** Telecom Public Notice 2006-12 initiates a proceeding to
    reassess the two thresholds. To take part, register by
    September 11.

www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2006/dt2006-53.htm
www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2006/pt2006-12.htm