In a move unexpected by the CRTC’s track record, they’re holding a policy hearing over rural access to wireless and wired broadband for rural regions: read about it here.
After the CRTC’s move last year to physically wedge their thumbs between their butt cheeks over cell phone providers essentially doubling their SMS charges overnight. Their comment on the issue was essentially “We believe its wrong, and believe underhanded deals may be going on, but we have no real power so we’re doing nothing.”
Now apparently they’ve decided to stick their hands down the opposing side of their pants and found a pair. Rural internet is abysmal here in Canada, especially considering that Bell, Telus and Rogers leave entire cities, with tens of thousands of residents, without 3G coverage. Companies are beginning to provide the start of 4G coverage and people have never even seen access to 3G, that’s unacceptable.
Seriously, these companies should stop looking at their massive bottom-lines and start looking at their customers. The 3-party system is corrupt, especially considering cooperation between Bell and Telus in forming their joint 3G network, essentially making the 3G market a 2-party system. Wind Mobile has entered as a 4th party, however they’re new and they only got in by the government overruling the CRTC. Another stunning display of CRTC ineptitude. Another major problem is that most rural access is provided solely by Bell, an ex-nationalized company that’s been given monopoly control over the majority of the country and has zero incentive to improving their system.
In a spirit of fairness, here’s the wireless industries response in a few words: “But it’s hard, we’re lazy due to a complete lack of outside competition enforced by law and it’ll cost us a little money now when it could make us a lot more later!”
Now the real question is, how long is it going to take for open competition in the teleco market to appear in Canada?
The answer, hopefully, isn’t too long.
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