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Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Distribution list

Gatineau, 10 July 2026

References: 8740-V3-202304046, 8740-V3-202601343, 8740-R28-202304054, 8740-R28-202404614, 8740-S9-202304070, 8740-S9-202404622, 8740-E17-202304038, 8740-C6-202304062, 8740-C6-202306100, 8740-C6-202403153, 8740-C6-202404648, 8740-C6-202501981, 1011-NOC2023-0056 

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Subject: Follow-up to Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56 – Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework – Vidéotron Extension Request

On 5 June 2026, as part of the proceeding initiated by Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56 – Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework (NoC 2023-56), Commission staff issued a letter directing Bragg Communications Incorporated, carrying on business as Eastlink (Eastlink); Cogeco Communications Inc. (Cogeco); Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Vidéotron Ltd. (Vidéotron); and Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (collectively, the Cable Carriers) to file additional supporting information and updated Phase II cost studies for their wholesale high-speed access (HSA) services. The filing deadline for responses to this request is 3 September 2026.

On 17 June 2026, Vidéotron requested to extend that deadline by six weeks, to 16 October 2026. Vidéotron submitted that the updated cost studies will require considerable effort and the availability of key personnel will be limited during the summer holiday period.

On 17 and 18 June 2026, Cogeco and Eastlink filed submissions supporting the request, with Eastlink emphasizing that its own resources are significantly more limited than larger national providers and that accurate, evidence-based studies are in the public interest.

Between 18 and 30 June 2026, TekSavvy Solutions Inc. (TekSavvy), IT2IS inc. (Bravo Telecom), and the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP) filed submissions opposing the extension. These parties argued that any delay prolongs the use of interim rates, causing competitive harm to independent providers and undermining the public interest in a timely conclusion to the proceeding.

On 3 July 2026, Vidéotron responded that the requirement to produce two entirely new cost studies, rather than a simple update, necessitates a deep restructuring of financial and engineering models to accommodate new speed bands and traffic growth assumptions prescribed by the Commission. Vidéotron reaffirmed the limited availability of specialized internal resources during the summer holiday season.

Determinations

All parties were cautioned via a 4 May 2023 letter that “the Commission is not predisposed to granting any further extension requests” in this proceeding. This position is consistent with the Government of Canada’s Policy Direction requiring the Commission to conduct proceedings in a timely manner. As reiterated in the 30 May 2024 letter denying a previous extension request, such requests will only be granted in rare and exceptional circumstances that are supported by sufficient evidence. Moreover, in the 16 June 2023 letter denying an extension for Bell Canada, the Commission emphasized that 'each company is expected to ensure that it has, or puts in place, the resources necessary to respond to the Commission’s directions'.

In the current instance, Commission staff acknowledges the arguments regarding the technical complexity of the required filings. Vidéotron has provided evidence that the 5 June 2026 directions require a comprehensive overhaul of cost models to account for new parameters, which distinguishes this exercise from a simple update.

Commission staff agrees that the public interest is best served through the submission of high-quality, accurate, and comprehensive costing studies to ensure that final rates are just and reasonable. However, Commission staff also recognizes the concerns raised by interveners regarding the need for an expedited process to resolve the ongoing uncertainty of interim rates.
Accordingly, Commission staff grants in part Vidéotron's request:

Parties will be advised as to the next steps in the evaluation process by way of a separate procedural letter, which will set out further process for the proceeding, including requests for disclosure of information filed in response to the requests for information.

As noted in previous determinations on 16 June 2023 and 30 May 2024, each company is expected to ensure it has the resources necessary to respond to Commission directions.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Noah Moser
Director General, Costing and Regulatory Implementation
Telecommunications Sector

c.c.: Chris Noonan, CRTC, chris.noonan@crtc.gc.ca
Josée Line Gendron, CRTC, joseeline.gendron@crtc.gc.ca
Bill Lloyd, CRTC, william.lloyd@crtc.gc.ca
Ramin Adim, CRTC, ramin.adim@crtc.gc.ca

Attach. (1) Distribution List

Distribution List

Company; Tariff Notice Number(s); Our Reference Number; Company Contact; Company Email

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