Consultation on the Internet services market

We invited comments on what actions we should take how to increase competition, create more choices, and reduce prices in the Internet services market.

What has happened so far

• The review started on March 8, 2023.
• At the start of its review of Internet services competition, the CRTC took immediate action by imposing a 10% reduction on certain rates that competitors pay.
• As part of that proceeding, the CRTC also launched an expedited process to determine whether Internet service competitors should be able to access the fibre-to-the-home networks of large telephone and cable companies on an interim basis.
• Over 300 interventions were received during the public consultation.
• On November 6, 2023, the CRTC issued a decision that will increase choice and affordability of high-speed Internet services for more than 5 million Canadian households.
• The CRTC is providing competitors with a workable way to sell Internet services using the fibre-to-the-home networks of large telephone companies in Ontario and Quebec, where competition has declined most significantly.
• The CRTC is also setting the interim rates that competitors will pay when selling services over these fibre-to-the-home networks.
• A public hearing was held from February 12-16, 2024.

Key topics for discussion

During the public consultation, we invited you to provide your comments on the questions below:

• Should we require large providers to give competitors access to their fibre networks, allowing them to provide services to more households?
• Is there enough competition in the market for Internet services across Canada?
• What additional measures should we consider to improve competition for Internet services across Canada?
• Should we be more involved in how large telephone or cable companies promote and sell their Internet services to Canadians?
• What additional actions or rules should we consider to better protect the interests of consumers?

See the Notice of Consultation for more details.

What we heard

• Interventions (comments we are receiving online, by mail and by fax)

Related information

• CRTC takes action to increase choice and affordability of high-speed Internet
• CRTC launches review of approach to Internet services competition and lowers some wholesale rates effectively immediately
• Internet – Our role
• Fostering competition in the Internet services market

Date modified:

2024-02-16