I have written too many times [such as here and here] that the 2006 Telecom Policy Review Panel called for a fresh review every five years, meaning that Canada is more than 3 years overdue for such a study.
As Michael Geist writes this week:
There is a growing sense that the twin governing statutes – the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act – should be reformed into a single Communications Act that better reflects today’s Internet environment.
The post speaks of the challenge faced by regulations and legislation that still treats telecom and broadcast as independent silos. The challenge of dealing with integrated business plans emerged during the CRTC’s recent set of 3 major policy hearings: Talk TV; wireless wholesale; and, wireline wholesale. At least one intervenor, VMedia, found itself caught with issues that bridged two proceedings, as we heard in this interaction:
6434 COMMISSIONER PENTEFOUNTAS: At the end of the day, I want you to perhaps expand — this is not a BDU hearing. You would agree with me?
6435 MR. BURGER: Absolutely.
6436 COMMISSIONER PENTEFOUNTAS: I understand your frustration, you came to Let’s Talk and you got sort of bumped.
6437 So it’s not a BDU hearing?
6438 MR. BURGER: This is not, no.
6439 COMMISSIONER PENTEFOUNTAS: Okay. And your white label or unbundled IPTV, wouldn’t that be, clearly, sort of a broadcasting issue and not within the confines of this hearing?
Canada sorely needs a comprehensive communications policy review. Maybe we can add it to our holiday wish lists?