CRTC 2012-168 opens up TPIA wholesale rates to public input and private disclosure
The CRTC has now formally moved into a rate review of the wholesale rates decided from 2011-77 in which independent ISP's would be charged rates that may push retail prices upwards of $150/mnth on top of additional fees that have been added since the increase.
However as much of these rates are deemed confidential by the incumbents, the CRTC has opened up the proceedings to allow parties to comment on what portions of this costing should become public and if registered to become parties, will be able to comment on "confidential" disclosures privately. While there is reason to be pleased at the CRTC's increased openness to involving citizen or non incumbent stakeholder participation, we are not cautiously optimistic about this since there are very little qualified parties within Canada who would have the background and knowledge to do so. The fact that the CRTC has opened this up, also implies that they are not up to the task. This move could also be played by the CRTC to say that "they tried" but if no parties are able to step up to the plate (as I'm sure they also realize) then the rates continue, 'due diligence' would have been attempted and Canadians will be left holding the bag.
There are definitely areas we can comment on but at this time we are may have to have prioritise getting our map done and avoid getting sucked into yet another lengthy proceeding that distracts us from our original and core goal. However due to the urgency and uniqueness of this opportunity we advise anyone, even from outside of Canada that can comment on industry standard rates and practices to comment yourselves or contact us with any suggestions that may be helpful in an intervention. This is sadly an example for other countries that markets should not be allowed to fail so badly that such repeated attempts at over-regulation (and resulting uncertainty and ham-fisted results) are required.
The deadline is May 22nd 2012
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-168.htm
We've also included CNOC's commissioned report on this issue by Nordicity (which the article image also comes from)
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don't pin hopes on this process.
"When regulators sought to construct a formula for fair regulated pricing, creative bookkeeping and debt structuring made even confiscatory rates permissible. Companies learned to use business regulations against the regulators. For instance, when a regulator believed rates could be lowered, power companies increased their debt obligations, at least on paper. They paid outrageous administrative fees to the holding companies they themselves often quietly controlled. Or they used creative accounting tricks to make it appear free cash was obligated to satisfy investors who held company debt and had to be repaid under government rules within a limited time frame. Companies were able to “prove” to regulators their current rates were fair, and there was no leeway to reduce them.
Only after municipal power companies began providing service at dramatically lower, and sustainable prices did suspicion reach a fever pitch that regulators were being played." http://stopthecap.com/2010/03/18/broadband-the-21st-century-equivalent-o...