It may seem odd, but customers of telephone companies across Canada have been on hold for a while – on hold waiting for lower prices. Current regulations restrict telephone companies from offering lower prices for local service. Yet others that offer local telephone services are under no such restrictions.
This Commentary, Taking the Caller off Hold, is based on remarks by AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. It explains why telecom deregulation should continue. AIMS was invited to appear after making a submission to Industry Canada supporting the ministerial decision to over-rule the CRTC and lift the restrictions.
While some argue this will hurt consumers in small markets, Munro says that’s not the case.
“By drilling down to smaller areas, regulation can be kept in place where competitors are not present and the benefits of full competition can be provided where competitors are present.”
To read the complete Commentary based on Munro’s remarks, click here.
To read AIMS’ submission to Industry Canada, click here.
To read Ian Munro’s op/ed on the topic, click here.
