News Summary

Telecom executives in Canada, including Cogeco CEO Frédéric Perron, have expressed strong disapproval of Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s decision to uphold the CRTC’s wholesale internet access rules. The decision permits major telecom companies to resell fiber optic access to internet service providers using their own and smaller players’ networks. While the CRTC argues this will reduce consumer costs, some industry leaders believe it will stifle competition and investment. Perron labeled the decision as ‘damaging’ and warned of a potential ‘re-monopolization’ of the telecom industry in Canada. Both Cogeco and Eastlink have appealed to the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the decision, with Eastlink suspending planned network upgrades in smaller communities. Rogers and Bell have also criticized the ruling, contrasting with Telus, which supports the decision.