CRTC invites Canadians to share their views on telecom services in the North

CRTC launches public consultation on Northwestel's services

OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 2, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The CRTC is inviting Canadians living in the North to provide feedback on telecommunications services in the North, and particularly those offered by Northwestel.

The CRTC is seeking to better understand the state of telephone, wireless and Internet services in the areas served by Northwestel. This will help determine whether more needs to be done to ensure Canadians living there have access to high-quality services at reasonable rates.

Among other things, the CRTC is seeking comments on:

    --  the affordability of telecommunications services for residents and
        businesses in the North
    --  the quality of telecommunications services, including Internet speeds,
        mobile coverage and service reliability, and
    --  how the CRTC may foster competition in the North.

Canadians are encouraged to share their opinions by January 20, 2021 using one of the following methods:

    --  filling out the online form
    --  writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2, or
    --  sending a fax to 819-994-0218.

All comments submitted will form part of the public record and will inform the CRTC's decision.

Quotes

"Now more than ever, telecommunications services have become indispensable for Canadians no matter where they live. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the digital divide between Canada's North and South. We would like to hear from northern Canadians about their experiences related to telecommunications services so we can help bridge the divide and ensure that they have high-quality services at affordable prices."

Ian Scott, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC

Quick facts

    --  Northwestel serves a population of 125,000 residents in the Yukon, the
        Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern British Columbia and Fort
        Fitzgerald, Alberta.


    --  The CRTC has a framework in place specific to Northwestel and regulates
        its retail rates for local telephone and broadband Internet services.


    --  Through this review, the Commission will consider the appropriate
        regulatory approach to ensure, among other things, that Canadians living
        in the North have access to affordable local telephone and broadband
        Internet services.


    --  In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has approved various
        applications submitted by Northwestel to provide relief to their
        customers by temporarily waiving data overage fees for some of their
        services and increasing usage caps across a range of broadband Internet
        packages.


    --  The CRTC is currently considering Northwestel's application to offer
        unlimited data on certain residential and business plans.


    --  The Commission has other initiatives in place to address Canada's
        digital divide, including the Broadband Fund, which will, as part of its
        first round of funding, provide Northwestel with funding for four
        projects to improve broadband Internet services in 46 communities in the
        North.
    --  The CRTC is also examining potential barriers to the deployment of
        broadband Internet networks in underserved areas in Canada, including
        access to telephone poles.

Associated Links

    --  Share your views and ideas on telecommunications services in Northern
        Canada
    --  Call for comments - Review of the Commission's regulatory framework for
        Northwestel Inc. and the state of telecommunications services in
        Canada's North
    --  Broadband Fund - Closing the digital divide in Canada
    --  CRTC Broadband Fund selected projects
    --  Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2020-40 - Review of the price cap and
        local forbearance regimes
    --  Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-406 - Call for comments
        regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable
        networks in underserved areas in Canada
    --  Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2018-213 - Phase-out of the local service
        subsidy regime
    --  Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2013-711 - Northwestel Inc. - Regulatory
        Framework, Modernization Plan, and related matters

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission