CRTC accepts Quebecor application for arbitration over MVNO with Telus

Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron and Freedom Mobile divisions have been granted a final offer arbitration (FOA) process by the CRTC. The company is in a dispute with Telus Corp. over mobile virtual network operation (MVNO) access rates. Videotron initially asked for FOA last November but the request was suspended while the two parties engaged in staff-assisted mediation. In late December, the Quebec firm told the CRTC an agreement was not reached and asked that FOA once again be on the table. Telus opposed that proposal in January. On Jan. 29, the commission sent a letter to both sides saying it was siding with Videotron, as the only issue in dispute is the rates for the provision of Telus’ MVNO access service to Quebecor. Each party must submit a final offer to the regulator with CRTC staff maintaining the right to ask clarifying questions. Documents must be filed by Feb. 13. Both sides will then have five days to file comments on the offers. Amendments to the final offer are not permitted. On Jan. 30 Telus and Videotron told the CRTC they wished to attach appendices to the final offers. “With respect to the inclusion of an appendix, commission staff is satisfied that, in this case, the inclusion of an appendix would contribute to a robust evidentiary record and assist the commission in making its decision,” the regulator wrote in reply on Feb. 2. “Accordingly, commission staff hereby approves the inclusion of an appendix for each party, but limits its length to a maximum of 20 pages.” In 2021 the commission elected to go with a limited MVNO model, restricting mandated access to incumbent wireless networks to regional providers that own a level of spectrum assets, and restricting the period of mandated access to seven years. In May 2023 the CRTC announced that it expected incumbents to have their MVNO service “operational and ready for use” no later than June 8, and agreements should be in place with regional providers availing of the service by Aug. 7, or else companies could head to FOA. Quebecor then went into FOA with Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. In July, the CRTC chose Quebecor’s offer over Rogers' offer. The incumbent is appealing the decision in court with Bell’s support. In October the CRTC chose Bell’s offer over Quebecor's but the two parties are currently in a dispute over the launch date. Quebecor filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC to apply the rates retroactively. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca.

CRTC accepts Quebecor application for arbitration over MVNO with Telus

News | February 7, 2024

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CRTC accepts Quebecor application for arbitration over MVNO with Telus

News | February 7, 2024

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