TEMAGAMI - Temagami council approved a resolution August 27 to start the process of lobbying the CRTC to require upgrades to Ontera’s technology system to allow third party access for communication services.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) manages Ontera’s tariff and service offerings.
"Ontera doesn't have either the proper technology or service agreements to allow third-party internet service providers access to their networks to be able to do that," treasurer-administrator Craig Davidson told council at the Aug. 27 meeting.
In most areas of Ontario, consumers have the ability to purchase internet services through different resellers who can purchase wholesale internet access from the system owner - which in most cases is Bell Canada - and then offer the internet through various packages.
In the case of a company like Teksavvy, they have agreements with smaller internet providers which can offer rural communities a cost-effective, wholesale access to the internet without the need to attempt to negotiate directly with the system owner.
"Seeing that Ontera is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Canada, one argument could be made that it flies in the face of the anti-monopoly stance that the CRTC and Government of Canada has, you cannot create a monopoly,” said Davidson.
“Right now, Ontera is sort of flying under the radar, and Bell isn't required to actually open up the market that Ontera serves to these other services."
Councillor Jamie Koistinen commented that the CRTC had directed Ontera in 2010 to upgrade its technology to allow for third party access, but it's "never been followed through."
"I guess now putting on pressure will raise awareness that it's something that needs to happen, so that other service providers could potentially use the infrastructure that's already here, like they do in other municipalities, like New Liskeard, or anywhere that's not fully controlled by Ontera," she said.
Temagami council will forward their resolution to other municipalities along the Highway 11 corridor for their support. It also will be sent to Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota, Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof, and the appropriate government ministers.
“Let’s hope for some results on this,” said Deputy Mayor Cathy Dwyer.
Jamie Mountain is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker.
The LJI program is funded by the Government of Canada.
