Comp Bureau pushes CRTC in requesting more information on MVNO review research

The Competition Bureau has requested the CRTC to "reconsider" its asking for more than information from Wireless Service Providers (WSP) for assay purposes, which volition effect in information that is set to aid the committee during its review of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO).

In a May sixth letter to Claude Doucet, the secretary full general of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Committee (CRTC), the bureau's commissioner asks WSPs to provide data no later than July 15th. The letter of the alphabet indicates the bureau would have 100 days to conduct its analysis and provide acceptable information for the review that is expected to happen in January.

"I acknowledge the additional burden on the WSPs…only note that early issuance mitigates against the time pressures that would exist associated with a afterward issuance. In any event the probative value of the information sought outweighs the burden associated with complying with the request," Matthew Boswell, the agency'due south commissioner, wrote.

The bureau will be studying and helping the Canadian Radio-tv and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) review the scope of mobile wireless services in Canada. That review was announced in February and a hearing is gear up to accept place in Jan 2020.

Boswell had sent a letter previously to ask for more particular to bear an economical analysis to determine competition in the market. The CRTC replied asking to clarify how this type of information would be relevant and to elaborate regarding the specifics of the request.

Bell and Rogers both pushed back and complained that the book of information requested was too large and argued that "it could derail the CRTC proceeding."

The CRTC as well chosen for responses from others in the manufacture, including Telus, Shaw, SaskTel and Tbaytel, which all expressed concern regarding the amount of data the bureau was request for.

Boswell indicated in his letter that the data he was seeking was "granular data" and is "required to conduct the analysis," without which he is "unable to appraise the effects of the facilities-based entrants, which significantly limits my ability to provide advice on what marketplace changes are needed to increase competition in the wireless industry."

He specifically notes that his research would indicate whether or non the CRTC is creating policies that would effectively create more than affordable choices in Canada.

For instance, he cited Shaw'due south Freedom and Eastlink as examples of growth and says that they are "natural experiments to understand whether the CRTC's existing policies aimed at promoting facilities-based competition are showing hope of disrupting the status quo in Canada."

"Without an agreement of the current and time to come touch on of facilities-based entrants, my ability to provide the CRTC with meaningful advice regarding the best course of action to remedy potential competition issues in the wireless market will be significantly limited."

"This includes whether it is appropriate to shift focus to a regulated solution like MVNO access and how to structure and implement such a strategy," he wrote.

MobileSyrup has reached out to the CRTC for comment and the regulatory torso declined to annotate.

The Competition Bureau noted that it is committed to working "in partnership with regulators to ensure that consumers benefit from innovation."

It added that it applauds the CRTC for "initiating and tackling" the issue.

Source: https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/05/06/crtc-competition-bureau-spat/

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