Internet - Our Role
What we do
We regulate the wholesale rates charged by large telephone and cable companies to competitors who access their networks in order to offer their services. We don’t generally regulate the rates charged by Internet service providers to their retail customers.
Retail Internet rates, quality of service and business practices
In general, we don’t intervene in rates, quality of service issues, or business practices of Internet service providers as they relate to retail customers.
However, we want to ensure that all Internet data is treated fairly and that no content or content creator is given an advantage or is disadvantaged by differential pricing practices. Differential pricing is when the same or similar products are offered to customers at different prices.
Internet data pricing practices
Following a public consultation on differential pricing practices related to Internet data plans, we strengthened our commitment to net neutrality, consumer choice, and the free exchange of ideas by citizens. We believe that all Internet data should be treated equally and that no advantage or disadvantage should be given to any content, content creator or customer due to these practices.
Wholesale Internet rates and quality of service
Smaller Internet service providers must use part of a large telephone or cable company’s network to offer Internet and other services to their retail customers. We promote competition in the Internet market by requiring telephone and cable companies to provide access to parts of their networks. This promotes competition, increases choice and ensures greater affordability of Internet services for Canadians.
To ensure competitors can continue meeting the needs of Canadians, the CRTC requires large telephone companies to provide access to their fibre networks. This enables competitor to offer higher-speed Internet services to Canadians. At the same time, the CRTC encourages continued investments to connect more Canadians to higher-speed networks.
Long description
The CRTC requires telephone and cable companies to sell access to their networks to independent Internet service providers at regulated wholesale prices.
The CRTC regulates rates, terms and conditions between the telephone/cable companies and the independent Internet service providers.
The CRTC does not regulate retail consumer prices, except for retail Internet services offered by Northwestel in its terrestrially served communities (e.g., those communities not served by satellite). These rates are established by the service providers, and may be negotiated with consumers.
Closing the digital divide in Canada
We established a universal service objective that Canadians in rural and remote areas as well as in urban centres, have access to voice services and broadband Internet access services on fixed and mobile wireless networks.
We set targets for these services:
- speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload for fixed broadband services
- an unlimited data option for fixed broadband services
- the latest mobile wireless technology available not only to all homes and businesses but also along major Canadian roads
To help connect underserved rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Canada, we set up the CRTC Broadband Fund.
Related links
- Fostering competition in the Internet services market
- Consultation about telecommunications services in the Far North
- Strengthening net neutrality in Canada
- Broadband Fund: Closing the digital divide in Canada
- Make a complaint about your Internet Service
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