(OTTAWA) The federal telecommunications regulator says it has made decisions it hopes will increase competition in the market for mobile wireless services.
Posted at 4:24 p.m.
The CRTC has granted mobile virtual network operators, who resell wireless communications services in more rural parts of the country, access to the wireless networks of Canada’s major telecommunications providers.
According to the regulator, the changes will help ensure that mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) subscribers’ calls and data sessions are not interrupted as they move between coverage areas and their access is offered. on current and future wireless networks, including 5G.
The CRTC says it denies several provisions that would make MVNO access service more restrictive and prevents any provision that would prevent regional wireless carriers from reselling their wholesale access to other MVNOs.
Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus and SaskTel must now begin accepting requests for access to their networks from regional wireless service providers and begin negotiations with regional wireless service providers to agree on wholesale MVNO rates.
The CRTC established a policy last year to help MVNOs get started in the Canadian market.