Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Letter addressed to The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P., Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
23 March 2023
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5
Dear Minister,
Thank you for your letter. Like you, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is concerned about increases in international roaming fees and the impacts they might have on Canadians. These types of fees have the potential to undermine the work we are doing to lower wireless prices.
We are taking action and have already started comparing the international roaming rates available to us with those available in other countries. Our preliminary results confirm what many Canadians are feeling -- that international roaming rates we pay are higher. We will be commissioning a study to examine this issue in greater detail.
We know that Canadians want affordable telecommunications services and continued investment in reliable networks. We are advancing our work to deliver tangible results. This includes reviewing our approach to Internet services competition, taking action to ensure reliable telecommunications services, improving pole access to encourage more competition, and implementing our new approach to mobile wireless services.
As the telecommunications regulator, we take seriously attempts to increase Canadians’ bills through ancillary fees. We will continue to use all available tools to address this type of behaviour and will keep Canadians apprised of developments.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns.
Sincerely,
Vicky Eatrides
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
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