Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution List
Ottawa, 1 June 2023
Our reference: 8740-S22-202104610, 8740-B38-202104686, 8740-R28-202104636, 8740-T66-202104876
BY EMAIL
Distribution List
Subject: Status update on wholesale MVNO access implementation and negotiations
Commission staff is seeking information regarding the implementation of wholesale mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) access and negotiations between Bell Mobility Inc. (Bell Mobility), Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (Rogers), TELUS Communications Inc. (TELUS), and Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) (collectively “the incumbents”) and regional wireless carriers. The information obtained will help the Commission and staff monitor compliance with this important regulatory policy which aims to improve competition and choice for Canadians.
On 9 May 2023, in Telecom Order 2023-133, the Commission finalized the terms and conditions for wholesale MVNO access and reminded the incumbents that, pursuant to its previous determinations, they:
- Must have the service operational and ready for use no later than 30 days following the date the tariffs were finalized (i.e., by 8 June 2023).
- Must have seamless hand-off functionality in place within 90 days following the date the tariffs are finalized (i.e., by 7 August 2023).
- Should have executed agreements in place within 90 days of the date of the order approving the final tariffs (i.e., by 7 August 2023). The Commission indicated that if this time frame is not met, it will consider using all the tools at its disposal to ensure compliance with its MVNO access framework.
To ensure compliance with the above, Commission staff is seeking information concerning the incumbents’ progress on implementation of the service and negotiations between carriers.
As such, Bell Mobility, Rogers, TELUS, and SaskTel are requested by Commission staff to each provide the following:
- On 8 June 2023, provide written confirmation that your respective MVNO access service is operational and ready for use as required by Telecom Decision 2022-288 and Telecom Order 2023-133.
- On 8 June 2023, 7 July 2023, and again on 7 August 2023, provide a comprehensive status update regarding the progress of MVNO access negotiations with regional wireless carriers. These updates are to include:
- A list of MVNO access agreements that have been executed to date with regional wireless carriers.
- A list of regional wireless carriers who have made requests to begin negotiations, and the date such a request was made. If you have denied any requests for MVNO access, please identify who was denied and for what reasons.
- The current status of any ongoing negotiations for MVNO access with each requesting regional wireless carrier and an estimate of when agreements are expected to be in place.
- An indication of whether seamless handoff functionality will be in place as required by 7 August 2023 for each regional carrier who has requested it.
In addition, Commission staff is seeking the views of providers regarding any negotiations they have participated in with the incumbents.
As a result, Bragg Communications Incorporated, carrying on business as Eastlink (Eastlink), Cogeco Communications inc. (Cogeco), Iristel Inc. (Iristel) and Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Videotron Ltd. (Videotron) are requested to each provide the following:
- On 8 June 2023, provide a status report regarding the progress of any MVNO access negotiations with incumbents, including:
- A list of incumbents with whom you have requested to enter into a wholesale MVNO access agreement and a list of incumbents you are currently negotiating with for wholesale MVNO access. If you have requested to enter into negotiations but were denied, please identify which incumbent and the reasons that were given for the denial.
- A summary of the general process and experience of negotiating with each incumbent under the Commission’s MVNO access framework.
- An indication of whether you expect executed agreements to be in place by 7 August 2023. If not, explain why not.
- These providers may also file updated status reports on 7 July 2023 and again on 7 August 2023.
An abridged version of any document filed in response to this request for information is generally required and will be placed on a public record. The incumbents and regional wireless carriers are reminded that any claims for confidentiality must be made in accordance with the requirements set out in the Telecommunications Act and Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-961, including, for example, the requirement to file abridged versions of documents and to provide complete reasons for the confidentiality designation in accordance with the statute and Commission’s information bulletin.
All documents must be received, and not merely sent, by the dates indicated.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Leila Wright
Executive Director, Telecommunications
c.c.: Philippe Kent, CRTC, philippe.kent@crtc.gc.ca
Michel Murray, CRTC, Michel.murray@crtc.gc.ca
Jeremy Lendvay, CRTC, jeremy.lendvay@crtc.gc.ca
Distribution List
Parties to Telecom Decision 2022-288
telecom.regulatory@cogeco.com
Regulatory.Matters@corp.eastlink.ca
regulatory@iristel.com
jonathan.holmes@itpa.ca
kadil@legalaid.mb.ca
chkla@legalaid.mb.ca
regaffairs@quebecor.com
richard.biron@sogetel.com
scott.gibson@terrestar.ca
jfmezei@vaxination.ca
bell.regulatory@bell.ca
Regulatory@rci.rogers.com
document.control@sasktel.com
regulatory.affairs@telus.com
regulatory@corp.fibernetics.ca
- Date modified: