Ottawa wants to lower internet prices with new CRTC directive

Ottawa wants to lower internet prices with the new CRTC directive.

Asked by the CRTC to craft new rules to force major providers to sell access to their networks at regulated rates.

Justin Trudeau's government has changed the rules for companies with large communications networks to make internet access less expensive in Canada.

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The government has asked the country s telecoms regulators to craft new rules that would force major providers such as BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. to sell access to their networks at regulated rates that will lead to better prices and more choices for consumers.

The Canadian Radio- Television and Telecommunications Commission will have to make sure that wholesale Internet access is available at the same time, at speeds consumers want, as part of the new directive.

The proposal may help smaller companies that currently lease network capacity from Canada s big telecommunications companies and resell internet services to consumers.

The policy direction is expected to be finalized by the fall. It won't elaborate on specific details of the plan, meaning it will be difficult to determine financial implications for telecommunications companies.