The CRTC issued its Public Notice on the reconsideration of VoIP regulation this afternoon.
Interesting accelerated timetable in the PN, driven by the requirement to report back to Cabinet within 120 days (ie. around Labour Day). Comments are due on June 5 and reply comments are due June 15.
The Public Notice is especially interesting in revealing the text of the actual Order of the Governor in Council. The recitals in the Order reveal that Sending VoIP back to the CRTC was ordered in part out of a recognition of the recommendations of the TPR (no surprise), but also considering the recent Local Forbearance decision. Despite the fact that there has not yet been a Cabinet appeal, it looks like Cabinet is expecting it any day now:
Whereas the Governor in Council is currently examining Canada’s Telecommunications policy and regulatory framework taking into consideration the recommendations of the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel and is following closely the public discussion concerning Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15.
Cabinet is going to be busy with telecom issues. The deadline for appealing the Deferral Account decision is coming up on Monday. We expect at least one party to file by then. Local forbearance has about 6 weeks more to go on its timer, but Bell has already announced its intent to appeal.
The Order indicates that the Governor in Council is contemplating what changes to implement in the wake of the TPR panel report.
June 15 is a great day to close off the CRTC’s public process. It just happens to be the day after The Canadian Telecom Summit closes. June 13 will see the regulatory department heads from all the phone companies square off. It will be a tag team event, cablecos versus telco incumbents with MTS Allstream as the spoiler!
That session immediately precedes the keynote address by Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, who is expected to talk about the implementation plans for the TPR. He’ll be followed by keynote addresses from TELUS CEO Darren Entwistle speaking at lunch on on Tuesday and Bell CEO Michael Sabia on Wednesday.
Videotron Chief Robert Depatie speaks on Wednesday afternoon and the final word belongs to CRTC Chair Charles Dalfen, who closes the conference.