There are significant changes expected to be announced by two different government bodies over the next few days that will impact the regulatory framework for wholesale telecommunications services.
Ironically, the environment for wireless services will come under greater regulatory intervention while wireline services will continue to follow a path to lighten the touch of government.
Industry Canada is expected to announce the outcome of its consultation on mandated roaming and tower sharing on Friday. On Monday, the CRTC will be releasing its decision on the Wholesale and Essential Services proceeding, a process that was launched in late 2006. We have written about that proceeding a number of times over the past year or so.
The changes that are coming will have a lasting impact on the state of telecommunications for the foreseeable future. More fodder for discussion at The Canadian Telecom Summit in June.