CRTC expanding competitor access to big fibre networks, but too soon to know price impact

Canada's telecommunications regulator is expanding a decision that allows smaller internet providers to use rivals' fibre networks to offer their services to customers, but it's too soon to say whether the move will lead to lower prices for Canadians.

Starting in February, large telephone companies that own fibre internet networks — like Bell Canada and Telus — must give competitors access to their networks for a fee, the CRTC says.

The decision builds upon a ruling late last year that temporarily required Bell and Telus to provide competitors with access to their fibre-to-the-home networks only in Ontario and Quebec within six months.

The CRTC's decision was meant to stimulate competition for internet services, as it said at the time its review could potentially make that direction permanent and apply it to other provinces.

Bell responded by reducing its network spending by $1.1 billion by 2025, saying the ruling diminished the business case for it to invest.

The CRTC says its latest decision applies only to existing networks, and any new fibre built by the large telecoms will be made available to competitors in five years, in order to give Bell and Telus «an opportunity to more quickly make a return on their investments.»

More competition generally leads to better prices for consumers, but it's unclear what uptake will be on the expanded access because companies don't yet know how much the access fee will cost.

The CRTC says it will set new rates by the end of the year; existing rates in Ontario and Quebec will remain in place for the time being.

Andy Kaplan-Myrth, vice-president of regulatory and carrier affairs at TekSavvy, an Ontario-based independent internet service provider, told CBC News that the decision has been a