Page 113 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

WHOLESALE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

CRTC Says Its Wholesale Internet Rules Balance Need for Competition and

Investment

Canada’s telecommunications regulator have its own network infrastructure, which home networks, in exchange for a fee. While
has once again determined the country’s then improves affordability for customers. those rules initially applied only in Ontario
largest internet companies should be able The CRTC said in its latest decision that its and Quebec, the CRTC then announced
to provide service to customers using fibre rules effectively balance the need for both last August they would be extended to
networks built by their rivals — as long competition and investment, while only networks owned by telephone companies
as they are doing so outside their core having a "modest" near-term effect on the countrywide. But the federal government
regions. It marks the CRTC's final decision market share of regional carriers. It said then asked the commission to reconsider
on the contentious matter — which has it plans to continue evaluating the effect whether the Big Three providers should be
pitted Telus Corp. against BCE Inc. and on the industry, noting there have been able to act as wholesalers under the rules,
Rogers Communications Inc., along with "early indicators of improved competitive citing concern about the viability of smaller
many smaller providers — after a lengthy intensity" but that the extent to which the internet providers to act as alternatives.
process filled with several interim rulings new rules "will ultimately be successful is The CRTC opened a consultation into the
and reconsiderations. Bell has argued still unknown." "As the framework continues matter and issued a temporary decision
against the policy, saying it discourages the to be implemented, the commission will this past February that upheld the rules,
major providers from investing in their own closely monitor the relevant markets and while delaying a final determination
infrastructure, while some independent make any adjustments necessary," it said. until the summer. Bell responded to the
carriers have raised concerns that it The framework initially kicked in May 2024 February decision by cutting $500 million in
could make it more difficult for them to on a limited basis, when the regulator investment plans this year and slowing its
compete against larger players. Meanwhile, began requiring Bell and Telus to give fibre network build by 1.5 million locations
Telus has defended it as a way to boost competitors — including both big and small it had intended to connect.
competition in regions where it doesn’t companies — access to their fibre-to-the-

Roaming Agreement Between Free Mobile and Orange France

Free Mobile has been relying on nationwide which Free Mobile is able to roam on spectrum resources that will become
roaming on Orange’s 2G and 3G networks Orange 2G/3G networks from 1 January available as a result to continue to deploy
since 2011, with maximum connection 2026 to 31 December 2028. This contract its 4G and 5G networks. The agreement
speeds that were reduced incrementally comes on the heels of announcements therefore provides that Free Mobile will
starting on 1 January 2017. This agreement from Orange that it will be shutting down its continue to have access to a roaming
between the two operators includes the 2G networks at the end of 2026 (with a first solution on Orange 2G and 3G networks in
supply of roaming services up to 31 shutdown starting on 9 March 2026 in a Metropolitan France, outside 2G white
December 2025 (a recap of previous pilot area covering departments in areas and 3G RAN sharing areas, from 1
contractual amendments and their southwest France, and starting in January 2026 to 31 December 2028,
examination by Arcep can be found in the September 2026 in the rest of Metropolitan including in those areas covered by Free
annex to this press release). On 5 May France), followed by its 3G networks Mobile’s network and where Free will
2025, Arcep received a new contract starting in late 2028, combined with Free choose to shut down 3G technology on its
entitled, “Roaming agreement on Orange Mobile’s desire to be able to continue to own network. The following contractual
France networks coming to the end of their access a roaming solution that allows it to conditions, established in the previous
life” that defines the conditions under shut down its own 3G network, and use the contract, are maintained.

113 JUNE-JULY 2025