Over the past few weeks, new mobile plans have been met with mixed reviews.

The major carriers launched mobile data services plans that remove the fear of ‘overage’ charges, slowing down access speeds after the subscriber reaches the monthly tier maximum; these plans are being reviewed by the regulator to determine compliance with the CRTC’s network neutrality framework.

In a recent article (“Will net neutrality force the CRTC kill the new $75 wireless plans?“), Cartt.ca observed that the CRTC asked carriers to justify the plans compliance:

Address, with rationale and data, why these practices should not be considered to amount to blocking the delivery of content or Internet traffic to an end-user. Your answer should include information to explain, for example, how the reduced speed does not cause degradation to the service to such an extent that it would amount to controlling the content and influencing the meaning and purpose of the telecommunications in question.

Earlier this week, Rogers announced new financing plans “allowing customers to choose either 24- or 36-month $0 down and interest free options.” Critics quickly denounced the 36-month option, charging that the plan violates the early termination rules set out in the CRTC’s Wireless Code. One industry critic denounced the plan saying “People who can’t afford a down payment shouldn’t be financing the latest iPhone.”

The new plans provide new options for consumers to manage their monthly bills, enabling them to access the latest devices with no money down and lower monthly payments.

As I wrote on Twitter earlier this week, if the Wireless Code prohibits these kinds of choices, then maybe it’s the Code that needs changing, not the option of such innovative consumer pricing plans.

Over the past few weeks, I have posted a number of sessions from The 2019 Canadian Telecom Summit.

Here is the list of what is available online:

• Opening remarks – Opening commentary by the chairs;
• The closing keynote – Video and text of the remarks and discussion with ISED Minister Navdeep Bains;
• The regulatory blockbuster – Video of the panel discussion;
• Accelerating innovation and economic prosperity in Canada – Video of the keynote address by Eros Spadotto of TELUS;
• Artificial intelligence – Video of the panel discussion;
• 5G: Evolution or Revolution? – Video of the panel discussion.

This ends my posts about The 2019 Canadian Telecom Summit. The videos may be the ‘next best thing’ to being there, but you really should plan to attend next year. Sign up to the newsletter to stay on top of information.

I look forward to reading your comments.

For the next month or so, I will be taking some important family time, trying to stay in touch, but I expect to be writing much less frequently.

Have a good summer.

Will telecom policy figure in political platforms in the fall federal election? As we head into the Canada Day long weekend, there are signs that the current government should be prepared to campaign on its record on issues related to the digital economy.

When she was appointed Minister of Rural Economic Development, Bernadette Jordan’s mandate letter set out priorities, including a few related to digital economy programs:

• Lead the development of a Canadian Rural Economic Development Strategy. This strategy should capitalize on the enormous opportunity vibrant rural economies and communities represent to strengthen the middle-class and enhance economic growth for Canada as a whole.
• Lead work to increase high-speed broadband coverage in rural Canada. This includes the rollout of existing investments, programming towards further improvements, and ensuring that investments by the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial partners, and the private sector are co-ordinated to best prepare rural Canada for success in the digital economy.

This morning, Minister Jordan unveiled the government’s Rural Economic Development Strategy along with a new Federal Connectivity Strategy, together with a “Get Connected” portal, bringing together many of the existing resources within the Innovation, Science and Economic Development department. Stakeholders, whether service providers or individuals, can use the portal to see what kinds of broadband services are available for a given location or could determine if government support programs are available to support new investments.

Today’s announcement appears to be another signal that it is prepared to showcase its digital economy strategy in front of voters. Minister Jordan’s release follows last month’s release of the Digital Charter, the Policy Direction to the CRTC proclaimed earlier this month, and the legislative review panel’s “What We Heard” report released yesterday.

Often, the government addressing digital issues has consisted of rural broadband spending or auctioning spectrum to maximize revenue to the treasury; this government has published much more substantive policy in just the last 5 weeks.

Unfortunately, most government programs continue to focus on increasing “supply”, extending access to broadband. We need to ensure there are strategies to drive “demand”: increasing adoption rates among groups that could subscribe, but have not. That is a problem across all geographies, and is perhaps more pronounced in urban markets.

Do we fully understand that side of the challenge for universal broadband adoption?

Will other parties be able to develop a cohesive digital strategy? Are digital issues going to be a factor for the electorate?

On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at The 2019 Canadian Telecom Summit, Eric Smith, VP, Regulatory Affairs for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association moderated a panel entitled “5G: Evolution or Revolution?”, reprising his role from 2018.

Panelists were:
•  Alexander Brock, SVP, Network Technology, Rogers
•  Ian Fogg, VP Analysis, Opensignal
•  Anoop Kulkarni, Global Head of Sales for 5G Network Planning, Optimization and Analytics, Nokia
•  Sean Newman, Sr VP and Director PM, Corero Network Security

Will 5G be evolutionary or revolutionary?

As recounted in the CARTT.ca account of the panel, the moderator, Eric Smith said: “When I got the assignment, I did what any deep thinker does: I Googled ‘is 5G an evolution or revolution?'” The results, he said, varied from headlines saying 5G will be as revolutionary as electricity for the automobile and ‘5G, don’t believe the hype’, to ‘5G is a CIA plot’.

Evolution or Revolution (or CIA plot)? You can view the complete discussion.

For many delegates, The Regulatory Blockbuster continues to be an annual highlight of The Canadian Telecom Summit and the 2019 edition lived up to their expectations.

Once again, the session was moderated by Greg O’Brien, editor and publisher of CARTT.ca, Canada’s news leader covering the Canadian cable, radio, television and telecom sectors.

The panel consisted of:
•  Samer Bishay, President & CEO, Iristel & Ice Wireless;
•  Andy Kaplan-Myrth, VP, Regulatory & Carrier Affairs, TekSavvy Solutions;
•  Robert Malcolmson, SVP, Regulatory Affairs, Bell Canada;
•  CJ Prudham, Chief Legal Officer, Xplornet Communications;
•  David Watt, SVP, Regulatory, Rogers; and,
•  Ted Woodhead, SVP, Strategic Policy Advisor, TELUS.

Each year, this session gives an opportunity to explore the most pressing regulatory and policy issues being reviewed in the Nation’s Capital. This year, the panel had identified more than a dozen potential topics, but never got past the first.

It was a lively discussion that brought in views from the audience as well.

Your comments are welcome.