Page 96 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

WHOLESALE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

WHOLESALE NEWS

CRTC Scraps its 2019 Decision Lowering Wholesale Internet Access Rates

The Canadian Radio-television and Tele- tain aspects of its August 2019 decision. in the large company’s network, while un-
communications Commission (CRTC) has With its new decision the CRTC is adopt- der the disaggregated model, competitors
issued a decision (2021-181 of 27 May ing the interim rates [set in Q4 2016], with connect to numerous points in the large
2021) finalizing wholesale rates for small- adjustments, as the final rates.’ While its operator’s network thereby ‘reducing their
er ISPs to access large operators’ high latest decision represents a victory for big reliance on expensive transport costs
speed broadband networks to resolve a telcos and cablecos including Bell, Telus, while spurring investments in broadband
long-standing dispute regarding the exist- Rogers and Shaw, the CRTC highlighted networks,’ the watchdog added. CRTC
ing ‘aggregated access’ wholesale model, that the aggregated access model is in Chair Ian Scott underlined: ‘Since 2016,
cancelling its previous decision (2019- the process of transitioning to a ‘disaggre- the CRTC’s objective has been to complete
288) to significantly reduce rates which gated’ HSA service enabling competitors the transition to a disaggregated whole-
was issued in August 2019 but never im- to access the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) sale model for access to the large compa-
plemented. The regulator stated: ‘During networks of the large companies and of- nies’ high speed broadband networks. This
the review of wholesale rates for aggregat- fer their customers faster internet speeds model will foster greater competition and
ed high speed access [HSA] services, the and a wider range of services. Under the further investments, so that the industry
information provided on the record caused aggregated model, a competitor connects can better serve the needs of Canadians.
the CRTC to doubt the correctness of cer- its network to a smaller number of points Today’s decision will allow us to focus on
that goal, while providing certainty in the
marketplace for ISPs.’ The CRTC’s state-
ment clarified: ‘The Commission approves
on a final basis the rates for aggregated
wholesale HSA service that were in effect
on an interim basis prior to the issuance
of Telecom Order 2019-288, with certain
modifications, including the removal of the
supplementary markup of 10% for incum-
bent local exchange carriers. The Com-
mission further determines that the aggre-
gated wholesale HSA service rates that are
made final in this decision are to be applied
retroactively to when the rates were made
interim [i.e. backdated to 2016].’

1&1 Versatel, Deutsche Glasfaser Sign Wholesale FTTH Deal for B2B

Connections

1&1 Versatel has entered into a long-term and gigabit internet speeds on Deutsche such regions,’ commented CEO of 1&1
wholesale agreement which will enable it Glasfaser’s fiber-optic infrastructure. ‘As Versatel Dr. Soren Trebst, adding: ‘Gigabit
to market its B2B products and services a network operator, we have to ensure is only possible together. Cooperation,
over Deutsche Glasfaser’s fiber-to-the- that all companies really do get fiber-optic open access platforms and other forms
home (FTTH) network. As a result of the connections, especially in commercial of cooperation must be strengthened
cooperation, 1&1 Versatel is expanding areas. In rural areas in particular, the and promoted. We will only be successful
its business services in rural areas and expansion of a comprehensive fiber-optic if we as an industry use synergy, think
will be able to equip more than 12,000 network only works through partnerships. networked and work hand in hand.’
companies with products, including data With this cooperation we are taking an
center connections and cloud services, important step in the development of

96 APRIL-MAY 2021