Expert Panel Urges Reform of Canadian Telecom Regime

Originally published in the North American Free Trade & Investment Report, Vol. 16, No. 9, May 15, 2006

An expert body established by the Canadian government, the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel (the "Panel"), has urged fundamental and rapid reform of the institutional and regulatory framework governing Canada’s telecommunications industry. The Panel’s recommendations are contained in a final report issued on March 22, 2006 (the "Report"), which is available at http://www.telecomreview.ca.

While acknowledging the strength of Canada’s telecom industry, the Panel concludes in the Report that the industry is nonetheless lagging in crucial areas such as the deployment of next generation networks (e.g., fibre to home) and wireless services, and is not keeping pace with new technologies, increasing demand and innovative approaches to policy and regulation. The Panel attributes much of the problem to the fact that Canada maintains "one of the most detailed,