A series of Telecom Orders released by the CRTC yesterday point to the Commission driving an agenda that fosters the availability of wholesale DSL and advanced network access, thereby enabling a more competitive broadband marketplace.
In Telecom Order 2007-20, the CRTC sets out requirements for a wholesale ethernet access service as well as transport and connection services:
The Commission determines that the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) shall provide to competitors, as part of their Ethernet services, an Ethernet access service, together with the Ethernet transport service and the Ethernet central office (CO) connecting link service.
Telecom Orders 2007-21 through 2007-25 set out determinations to provide wholesale DSL services by each of the major ILECs across the country, including substantial changes to the originally proposed tariffs.
All of these Orders contribute to simplifying the ability for competitors to offer a uniform suite of services to business and residential consumers. The Orders appear to be a significant win for MTS Allstream and other competitors by getting rid of volume commitments and contracted terms. The Orders directly address concerns about ethernet, next generation networks and the broadband internet market becoming a virtual duopoly.
There is an underlying subtext that needs to be explored at another time. The CRTC found that wholesale ethernet and ADSL are non-essential services, yet the Commission is imposing rates and terms that differ from those initially proposed by the ILECs. Contrast this to the Minister’s direction that requires the CRTC to determine the extent to which regulation of non-essential services should be phased out. Your comments are always welcome.
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CRTC, ADSL, DSL, MTS Allstream, ILEC, ethernet, NGN, Net Neutrality