Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Hacene Belgharbi
Ottawa–Gatineau, 7 February 2025
Reference: 8640-Q33-202500090
BY EMAIL
President
Hacene Belgharbi
hbelgharbi@transattelecom.ca
Subject: Transat Telecom – Part 1 application
On 6 January 2025, Transat Telecom (Transat) submitted a Part 1 application asking the Commission to end regulatory forbearance for Internet services in Quebec and Ontario.
Transat claimed that dominant wholesale providers are engaged in anti-competitive practices, and that the wholesale HSA framework is not working, to the detriment of small independent Internet service providers (ISPs). Transat argued that the CRTC must act quickly to restore fair competition and preserve the diversity of market participants.
On 6 February, the Commission determined that it would suspend its consideration of a similar Part 1 application by Bravo Telecom (Bravo) requesting the same relief. The Commission reasoned that the issues raised by Bravo could only be considered once the work to put in place the new wholesale HSA framework was finalized and implemented.
The Commission is working to ensure that Canadians benefit from reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet services. To support this objective, it published Telecom Regulatory Policy 2024-180, which renews its approach to promoting competition and investment in Canadian Internet service markets. Once fully implemented, the Commission will monitor the effectiveness of its new framework. If it looks like the framework is not meeting its objectives, the Commission may then consider implementing additional measures.
Commission staff recognize the importance of the matters that have been raised and values hearing from smaller, independent companies, such as Transat, who play an important role in the telecommunications ecosystem. However, given the similarities with Bravo’s proceeding, this application will be returned with no further process required.
Commission staff thank Transat for sharing its perspective on the HSA market, as well as its role in providing competitive Internet service offerings, in Quebec and Ontario. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Philippe Kent, Director, Telecommunications Services Policy, at philippe.kent@crtc.gc.ca, or at 819-953-4057.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Philippe Kent
Director, Telecommunications Services Policy
Telecommunications Sector
c.c.: Andrew Gaiero, CRTC, Andrew.Gaiero@crtc.gc.ca
Mason Rodney, CRTC, Mason.Rodney@crtc.gc.ca
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