Asking for help to define ‘basic service’

The CRTC’s public consultation to examine the next generation of basic service has gone even more public. Last week, I wrote about the proceeding in “Basic access at what cost.” The CRTC has now created a special website, complete with an introductory video, to try to solicit more input from the general public.

Over 10 years ago, the CRTC set an objective for telecommunications companies to provide Canadians in all regions with access to high-quality, reliable, and affordable basic telephone services. Today, over 99% of Canadians have basic telephone service that includes the following:

individual line local Touch‑Tone telephone service;

access to low-speed Internet at local rates;

access to the long distance network and to operator/directory assistance services;

enhanced calling features, including access to emergency services, voice message relay service, and privacy protection features; and

access to a copy of the current local telephone directory.

1. What services should be included as part of your basic telephone services today?

2. In the context of this objective, what role, if any, should the CRTC play in ensuring that all Canadians have access to broadband Internet service?

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The wireless industry has been growing steadily for many years and today all Canadians have access to wireless services. Three Canadians out of four have a cellphone and an increasing number of Canadian households are wireless-only. Also, more and more people are connecting to the Internet using wireless services (e.g. Wi-Fi, 3G networks or satellite).

3. Do you think that cellphone service can be a substitute for traditional home phone landline service? Explain why or why not.

4. Do you think that wireless services (e.g. Wi-Fi, 3G networks or satellite) can be substitutes for landline services to connect to the Internet? Explain why or why not.

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Broadband Internet access is increasingly being used for a variety of activities, for example education, health care, business, and entertainment, to name just a few.

5. For what activities do you use or expect to use your Internet service?

The attempt to have a better outreach to the public is admirable, but a couple of the questions appear to be asking the public to challenge the CRTC’s long standing policy of technical neutrality. Specifically, the third and fourth questions may indicate that the CRTC is no closer to approving Bell Canada’s deferral account proposal; having just asked the public to comment on whether wireless services can be substitutes for wireline, it would now appear to be inappropriate for the CRTC to rule on Bell’s deferral account proposal until after this consultation is concluded. As a result, the launch of broadband service for many communities has just suffered yet another set-back.

Will the website succeed in soliciting greater public participation? The irony, of course, is that the CRTC is using an internet website to get input from people on whether broadband internet access should become part of the basic service objective, among other questions. The challenge will be to understand that responses will naturally be skewed, reflecting the bias of people who already have access to broadband service.