We’re coming up to the deadline for Cabinet to accept or reject the CRTC’s VoIP reconsideration. On September 1, the CRTC affirmed its original decision that voice is voice, regardless of the underlying technology that provides the service. It launched a proceeding to review the criteria to liberalize all types of local phone service, but said that, on review of its original decision, the CRTC was correct that IP telephony should not be handled differently.
The Telecom Act allows Cabinet 90 days to ‘vary or rescind’ the CRTC’s September 1 decision.
The clock is ticking. Minister Bernier is booked for a couple speaking engagements this week. Will he make changes to VoIP regulation?