The federal government’s spectrum auction starts today with its wireless strategy in tatters. Late yesterday, Wind Mobile announced that it was withdrawing from the auction, creating a new entrant vacuum that seems likely to leave some of the prime spectrum in major markets such as Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia […]
Telecom by yum9me (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/53jSy4
Telecom
Govt Promises Domestic Wireless Roaming Regulation: Can Wholesale Price Regulation Be Far Behind?
Industry Minister James Moore yesterday took another step toward improving the state of wireless competition in Canada by announcing plans to cap wholesale domestic roaming fees at the same rates the companies charge their own customers. The cost of domestic roaming has been a persistent concern for new entrants and regional wireless carriers, who argue that the national carriers increase wholesale prices for roaming that render the smaller players less competitive. The new government reforms will put an end to those concerns. Moreover, it plans to create tough new penalties for companies that violate the wireless code or other regulatory requirements, a move that may increase compliance rates.
While the usual critics will moan that the latest changes are indicative of a wireless policy with ever-changing rules, the reality is that the government has made a clear commitment toward addressing the state of wireless competition in Canada. Some of its hopes may have been thwarted – the entry of Verizon tops that list – but identifying and addressing competitive barriers should be a continuing process with regular reforms as needs arise.
Senate Heading Toward Investigation Into Bell’s Privacy Practices
Conservative Senator Leo Housakos this week raised the possibility of a hearing into Bell’s privacy practices in light of recent disclosures involving collection and use of data for targeted advertising purposes. Housakos gave notice of a motion for a hearing by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications involving […]
Bell Faces CRTC Net Neutrality Complaint
Bell Mobility is facing a net neutrality complaint arising from its treatment of online video. Filed by Ben Klass, the complaint (a Part 1 application requesting fair treatment of Internet services by Bell Mobility) compares the cost of watching 5 GB of content on Netflix with the cost of 5 […]
The Trans Pacific Partnership IP Chapter Leaks: The Battle Over Internet Service Provider Liability
The leak of the Trans Pacific Partnership intellectual property chapter generated global coverage as full access to the proposed text provided a wake-up call on U.S. demands and the clear opposition from many TPP countries. My first post highlighted Canada’s opposition to many U.S. proposals, but nowhere is that more evident than in the section on Internet service provider liability. In fact, ISP liability in the TPP is shaping up to be a battle between Canada and the U.S., with countries lining up either in favour of a general notification obligation (Canada) or a notice-and-takedown system with the prospect of terminating subscriber Internet access and content blocking (U.S.).
Recent Posts
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 232: What Will Canadian Digital Policy Look Like Under the New Liberal Carney Government? 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 231: Sara Bannerman on How Canadian Political Parties Maximize Voter Data Collection and Minimize Privacy Safeguards 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 230: Aengus Bridgman on the 2025 Federal Election, Social Media Platforms, and Misinformation 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 229: My Digital Access Day Keynote – Assessing the Canadian Digital Policy Record 
Queen’s University Trustees Reject Divestment Efforts Emphasizing the Importance of Institutional Neutrality
