Crtc wifi

The new rules do theoretically allow for a foreign MVNO to find a back door into Canada by working with Canadian regional players willing to resell their MVNO access, but that would have to be negotiated on a case by case basis.

The regulator also did not mandate the price at which the bigger companies must provide access to their networks. A lobby group called the Competitive Network Operators of Canada CNOC , which represents more than two dozen independent telecom companies across Canada, says the move doesn't go far enough.

Unfortunately, this decision sends us in the opposite direction and is simply bad for Canadians. The move also comes as Ottawa is considering the massive proposed merger between Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications , which will see the second largest wireless company in Canada buy the fourth largest, which will lessen competition.

Against that backdrop, CNOC said in a statement that moving to allow unfettered MVNO access would have "levelled the playing field somewhat," but instead, "this decision rewards the national incumbents' oligopolist behaviour and puts profits before Canadians. In addition to opening the door to MVNOs, the CRTC says the incumbent telecoms including Rogers, Telus, Bell and SaskTel are "expected to offer low-cost and occasional-use plans in most markets" for seniors and other low income earners who use cellphones only sparingly, but currently are locked into expensive plans they don't need.

He predicted internet prices will go up "immediately" and there will be fewer of the smaller competitors, because they've counted on some relief from the higher rates. And when competitors raise their rates, all that does is create more room for the incumbent phone and cable companies to raise theirs," Stein predicted. The ruling follows years of regulatory filings and political lobbying by Canada's internet companies, who are divided between the buyers and sellers of wholesale capacity on the country's internet networks.

TekSavvy, Distributel and other independent internet providers say they've been overcharged for years — a position that was supported by the CRTC's decision in Bell, Rogers and other regional phone and cable companies defend the rates they've charged since and say the CRTC's rates would have them selling at a loss. Apply for the fund, application guide help applying , broadband coverage maps, instruction manual, about the fund.

The CRTC is looking for participants for the project to measure the performance of broadband Internet services in Canadian homes. Watching TV and listening to music online, distribution rights, website blocking and offensive content online. The wireless market in Canada is evolving. Learn more about the introduction of the new data-only wireless options and find a plan that is right for you. Understand your consumer rights email spam.