Despite arguments against its plan, the CRTC will stick to its decision allowing incumbent telecoms to resell Internet services on each others’ networks.
CRTC’s ruling ends a battle that began nearly a year earlier when the commission ruled Bell and Telus had to allow competitors access to their fibre networks. The decision extended a temporary directive that covered Ontario and Quebec in 2023 to include the entire country.
Although the move was seen to be beneficial for expanding wholesale internet program, enabling internet service provider (ISPs), to access fibre networks. However, it was controversially allowed incumbents like Bell, Rogers and Telus to have access to the same wholesale platform, where they do not already have a footprint. Many players, large and small argued that allowing incumbents wholesale access would jeopardize the competition by allowing big telecoms squeeze out smaller ISPs.
To overturn the CRTC’s decision, opponents had to prove that there was a “substantial question” as to whether or not it made a mistake. Several groups submitted applications with studies that supported their claims.
CRTC explains why the decision will encourage investments
However, in its June 20, 2025 decisionthe CRTC stated that “the weight of the evidence” does not establish a significant doubt that the original decision was wrong. The commission cited a number of findings to support its original conclusion.
Firstly, the CRTC stated that despite claims that the contrary were true, it found that an ISP using wholesale access to provide retail Internet service outside of their existing network footprint is a new option for consumers. The commission found that the decision “will have modest near-term impacts on the market shares of regional competitors,” whereas applicants claimed it would severely harm ISPs. The CRTC also noted that applicants alleged that the decision will give incumbents a significant competitive advantage, because they can bundle their offerings. However, it found that many ISPs have “developed a large customer base” by selling stand-alone Internet packages for many years.
Lastly, the CRTC addressed the arguments that the decision will discourage investment in networks. It noted that:
- the need for ISPs remain competitive;
- the operational and
Several thousand Canadian households already purchased new Internet Plans offered by dozens providers who are using the access enabled the Final Decision. The commission stated that changing course now would reverse this increased competition, and prevent more Canadians to have new choices of ISPs for the future.
Several ISPs fought the decision
However, while the CRTC believes that telcos are likely to continue investing in their networks, I am not so sure. Bell has made a strong statement about the decision, claiming that it would cut fibre investments if CRTC did not change course. Bell launched an aggressive marketing campaign earlier this year to oppose the fibre wholesale strategy. It also threatened to drop its plans for fibre rollouts in 1.5 million homes. Bell CEO Mirko Bibi said that the company was not “in the business to build fibre for Telus’s benefit” in the company’s Q4 results call.
Telus’s callout is a result of its bringing PureFibre internet to Ontario and Quebec by using Bell’s fibre network and the wholesale program. Telus was notable for being one of the few ISPs who supported the CRTC’s original wholesale decision. Bell, Rogers and many others opposed incumbent access.
According to theGlobe and Mail,the Canadian Telecommunications Association (which represents Bell and Rogers, but not Telus) has called on the federal governments to overturn this decision. Cabinet can change the CRTC decision or request that the commission re-examine this issue until August 13th.
Updated June 20, 2025, at 3:27 pm. ET:MobileSyrup shared a statement withCTAregarding the CRTC decision. The CTA said it was “deeply dissatisfied” and warned that it would “lead reduced investments in network equipment, including in remote and rural communities, and ultimately, less choice for Canadians.” These links have no influence on our editorial content. Please support us here
