How Not to Regulate: The Trials and Tribulations of Local Exchange Regulation in Canada

Recent announcements from Industry Canada’s minister will push Canadian telecom companies to compete locally for consumers. Interest in deregulating local markets and proposals has already come from Bell Canada, TELUS, SaskTel and MTS Allstream for key markets in their territories.

I. Who Will Benefit from the Legislation

II. Legislation Overview “Open Competition” in Telecom and Media Regulation

III. The Impact on Canadian Consumers

Who Is Likely to Benefit

Putting the Competition Back in Competitive

Bell’s Deregulatory Strategy Will Make Its New Owners Proud

Creating Competition in Broadcast Policy

Whither Rural?

Key Factors to Create Competition from Province to Province

IV. Conclusions and Recommendations

Recommendations

V. Further Reading