Comments on: Less Regulation in Canada; Less Competition http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/ Insight and Analysis from North of the Border Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:49:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mark Evans http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3139 Mark Evans Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:22:36 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3139 Thanks for the reminder. You're right, there hasn't been a lot of media coverage of WNP. My guess is the carriers aren't going to push the idea because it will probably be a zero-sum game for them: they'll lose some customers and gain some customers. Now, where is the media? :) Thanks for the reminder. You’re right, there hasn’t been a lot of media coverage of WNP. My guess is the carriers aren’t going to push the idea because it will probably be a zero-sum game for them: they’ll lose some customers and gain some customers. Now, where is the media? :)

]]> By: Nolin http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3138 Nolin Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:20:46 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3138 Mark, I'm sad that you haven't written at all here about WNP recently given that we're only 16 days away from "March 14". Is it some sort of conspiracy that not only are the telcos oddly quiet, but so is the media? :) Mark, I’m sad that you haven’t written at all here about WNP recently given that we’re only 16 days away from “March 14″. Is it some sort of conspiracy that not only are the telcos oddly quiet, but so is the media? :)

]]> By: Christopher Schmitt http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3097 Christopher Schmitt Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:42:31 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3097 Mark, I don't think a change in the foreign ownership rules would make much of a difference in the current competitive landscape. The investment in facilities required to compete with Bell and TELUS head-to-head is far to massive even for a foreign partner with deep pockets. As far as I know there are no alternative facilities-based technologies available today that would attract major investment because they are no better then what the cablecos and telcos already have. Inukshuk technology was (and still is) slow and expensive. The CRTC's policies with regard to wholesale access to facilities have proven ineffective as well, particularly with regard to services and facilities required for effective Internet competition. The CRTC has not kept up with the times and has only mandated access to technologies that are now out of date (i.e. loops and T1s). The "wholesale" rates available today are set by the telcos and cablecos and that's why these companies continue to control the market. It's scary that the CRTC is thinking so much about deregulation without having first solved these problems. We need to encourage innovation in this country and that will only come from having lots of competition. As you point out very effectively the signs do not indicate that we have true telecom competition in this country. Hopefully the CRTC is thinking about how to increase telecom competitiveness before they get too far down the path towards deregulation. Mark, I don’t think a change in the foreign ownership rules would make much of a difference in the current competitive landscape. The investment in facilities required to compete with Bell and TELUS head-to-head is far to massive even for a foreign partner with deep pockets. As far as I know there are no alternative facilities-based technologies available today that would attract major investment because they are no better then what the cablecos and telcos already have. Inukshuk technology was (and still is) slow and expensive.

The CRTC’s policies with regard to wholesale access to facilities have proven ineffective as well, particularly with regard to services and facilities required for effective Internet competition. The CRTC has not kept up with the times and has only mandated access to technologies that are now out of date (i.e. loops and T1s). The “wholesale” rates available today are set by the telcos and cablecos and that’s why these companies continue to control the market.

It’s scary that the CRTC is thinking so much about deregulation without having first solved these problems. We need to encourage innovation in this country and that will only come from having lots of competition. As you point out very effectively the signs do not indicate that we have true telecom competition in this country. Hopefully the CRTC is thinking about how to increase telecom competitiveness before they get too far down the path towards deregulation.

]]> By: 411 Directory » Less Regulation in Canada; Less Competition http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3093 411 Directory » Less Regulation in Canada; Less Competition Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:59:49 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3093 [...] Original post by Mark Evans and software by Elliott Back [...] [...] Original post by Mark Evans and software by Elliott Back [...]

]]> By: Mark Evans http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3092 Mark Evans Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:36:15 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3092 Foreign ownership could be the wild card within the competitive landscape - provided foreign investors/companies perceive an opportunity in Canada. Foreign ownership could be the wild card within the competitive landscape – provided foreign investors/companies perceive an opportunity in Canada.

]]> By: Eric http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-3090 Eric Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:19:02 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/02/24/less-regulation-in-canada-less-competition/#comment-3090 I think you have a good point. Seems to me though, that whether we want to or not, deregulation is coming. Will this deregulation include some kind of loosening up of the foreign ownership rules, and if so, could this allow for some competition from some of those big us operations? I think you have a good point. Seems to me though, that whether we want to or not, deregulation is coming. Will this deregulation include some kind of loosening up of the foreign ownership rules, and if so, could this allow for some competition from some of those big us operations?

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