Yesterday, in attempting to clarify reporting rules for high speed digital access, the CRTC may have muddied the water a little more.

The problem is found in paragraph 22 from Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-50?

Parties to a high-speed DNA services forbearance application must provide the Commission with the addresses of all buildings that are connected to that carrier’s network at speeds of DS-3 or greater irrespective of whether services at speeds of DS-3 or greater are currently being provided to that carrier’s customer(s) located in that building and irrespective of whether the fibre facilities are lit (commissioned) or dark. Carriers are required to provide the addresses of the buildings that are so connected, not merely the addresses of the buildings where high-speed DNA services are currently being provided to customers.

The intent, I think, is for competitive carriers to report a list of addresses of all buildings that are connected to their network with any kind of access facilities that could deliver higher than 45 Mbps. This report would be analyzed by the CRTC after an ILEC believes that there is a meaningful level of competition for high speed access services.

But the CRTC’s language is awkward and oxymoronic. After all, if fibre facilities are “dark”, then they are not connecting a building at any speed, let alone greater than 45Mbps.

Further, competitive access carriers frequently don’t provide DNA-type access; many deliver ethernet access services. As a result, the last sentence is not meaningful. Finally, the tone of the paragraph appears to seek information only for fibre connectivity, and it may also imply that only dedicated access services are relevant. These are inconsistent with principles of technical neutrality.

My suggestion for an erratum would use simpler language, such as:

Parties to a high-speed DNA services forbearance application must provide the Commission with the addresses of all buildings that are connected to that carrier’s network with facilities capable of access speeds greater than 45Mbps, irrespective of whether such access services are currently being provided in that building and irrespective of whether the facilities are commissioned or dark.

The 2010 Canadian Telecom Summit opens in 18 weeks.

The first version of the brochure is now available [pdf, 280KB] and you will see that the programme is filling up.

Momentum is building with delegate registrations running well ahead of last year’s pace. Early bird rates are in effect through the month of February. save by registering this month.

The conference hotels are now available for booking; over half our delegates are from out of town, so we try to help with negotiating space and preferred rates. Delegates will notice lower hotel prices for this year, while the hotels are still including the amenities, such as free internet access and complimentary shuttle service to The Toronto Congress Centre, home of the conference itself. The Airport Renaissance has been rebranded as the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre: it is now part of the Sheraton family.

We are really pleased to involve experienced journalists in the role of moderators for some of our sessions this year. Greg O’Brien, editor of CARTT.ca will be moderating our Regulatory Blockbuster this year; Mark Evans, formerly with National Post and now heading up his own consulting firm, will be leading the discussion at a session we are calling Business Models 3.0: Financial implications for content and carriage. Visit the conference website for more program details.

The Canadian Telecom Summit is the largest and most important gathering of Canada’s communications industry. Have you registered yet?

Even before they launch service, the folks at DAVE are out there competing. A press conference and photo op has been called for February 2 at 11 am to announce the brand name for Canada’s newest mobile entrant.

Two days ago, Virgin Mobile called a press conference for the same time, promising a photo opportunity to launch the new HSPA+ network with mobile-inspired fashions created by Canadian designers.

So, those of us who follow the industry have to make a competitive choice: do we go to see Dave Dobbin and John Bitove launch a fresh mobile wireless brand or do we go to the Virgin Mobile HSPA+ event with underdressed fashion models?

How would you choose?

Monday, February 1 marks the beginning of enforcement in earnest for Ontario’s handsfree driving law. Given the spate of pedestrian deaths that have marked the beginning of 2010, we can expect to see a police blitz to convince drivers to put down their phones.

This presents an opportunity for mobile accessory sales, ranging from bluetooth earpieces to devices that use voice commands to read and send text messages and emails.

As we reported before, there is widespread support for the law, but casual observations along any major street shows that there are still a lot of people who haven’t got the message.

In December of each year, the RIDE program picks up various sponsorships to support public awareness and to get impaired drivers off the road.

Will we see the mobile service providers and device manufacturers getting involved with helping drivers conform?

As many Canadians are looking back second guessing and bemoaning at the decision to prorogue parliament, I’d prefer to look forward and ask what will be on the agenda for the next session of Parliament. When the speech from the Throne is delivered, will the government set out a bold vision for Canada’s digital future?

Over the past few years, various panels have delivered reports examining communications and competition policy. Numerous voices, including our own, have called for the creation of national digital strategy.

South of the border, the FCC has been charged with the responsibility to develop a bold vision for the US. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the FCC has been tasked with creating a National Broadband Plan that

shall seek to ensure all people of the United States have access to broadband capability and shall establish benchmarks for meeting that goal.

Can a government – in Canada or the US – set out a vision that is bold, yet affordable, while creating sustainable leadership for the benefit of a next generation economy?

On the afternoon panels of Tuesday, June 8, 2010 The 2010 Canadian Telecom Summit will explore ICT strategies around the world and host a discussion on the elements of Canada’s own National Digital Strategy.

Have you registered yet?