TORONTO — The federal government is ordering the CRTC to review its recent decision that it says effectively prevents certain low-cost plans from being offered to customers.
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains says a decision earlier this year by the telecommunications regulator essentially prevents smaller Wi-Fi providers from offering cheaper plans and consequently limits choice in the market.
In the March 1 decision, the CRTC issued restrictions on how heavily customers of Sugar Mobile, which doesn't have its own wireless infrastructure, can rely on the wireless network set up by Rogers (TSX:RCI.B).
Bains says he will direct the CRTC to rethink that position.
His spokesman says the review will also include a second decision issued by the CRTC that same day that reinforced its position that wholesale roaming can not be used as a way to get permanent access to a telecom company's network.
Bains announced his order while speaking at an annual conference in Toronto for the Canadian telecommunications industry.
The Canadian Press
