Bob Hafner

Canada's telecom regulator will investigate incumbent carriers for selling services below tariffed rates. To avoid a mid-contract price increase, ask your carrier to file a customer-specific pricing plan to hold prices in place.

On 30 May 2002, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued new consumer-oriented rules for network service providers (NSPs) in Canada. The wholesale price incumbent carriers can charge competitive carriers for local lines will fall by 15 percent to 20 percent. The price of basic local service will stay the same as long as inflation remains low - a benefit for consumers.

Competitive carriers lost an opportunity to gain on incumbent carriers as Canada's telecom regulator issued new, consumer-oriented rules. The challengers remain weak, and enterprises should still view them cautiously.