On August 13, 2024, the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) concluded its long-running
consultation on "fibre-to-the-premises" (FTTP) internet
network access by ordering that certain large telecommunications
companies (telcos) must provide their competitors with access to
their FTTP networks starting in February 2025. The order expands
upon an interim order that the CRTC issued in November 2023 and
adds additional provisions intended to balance the need for greater
consumer choice in their selection of internet services with the
need to incentivize large telcos to invest in and develop fibre
internet network infrastructure.
Background
In March 2023, the CRTC began a public consultation process
intended to update the regulatory framework for Canada's
internet services market. As the CRTC noted, the existing
regulatory framework has proven unsuccessful in encouraging choices
and pricing affordability for Canadian internet customers and
