Last week, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) unveiled new interim rates for high-speed internet services delivered via fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology. This important announcement promises to enhance Internet access for residents across Alberta, offering more affordable options to tackle long-standing connectivity issues in rural and urban communities.
Starting February 13, 2025, Alberta users will see a new monthly access rate of $80.41 for TELUS’s fibre network, which can deliver speeds of up to 1.5 gigabits per second. Installation fees will vary based on the type of setup needed, with charges set at $6.63 for installations that don't require a site visit and $250.66 for those that do.
The CRTC determined these rates after carefully analyzing the costs incurred by major telephone companies, aiming to create a fair playing field for both providers and consumers. By granting access to these networks, smaller Internet service providers can roll out various communication services using advanced fibre technology, including Internet, television, home phone, and smart home offerings.
This decision follows a thorough review and public consultations, reflecting the CRTC’s commitment to boosting competition in the telecommunications sector, especially in provinces like Alberta, where residents have expressed a strong desire for more service choices.
The new interim rates are part of a larger initiative launched by the CRTC in March 2023 to ensure Canadians benefit from high-quality Internet services.
Vicky Eatrides, the CRTC chairperson and CEO, commented, "This order sets the interim rates that competitors will pay for access to fibre networks, promoting a competitive environment where service providers must work harder to win over customers. We are dedicated to ensuring that Canadians, particularly those in Alberta, have new options for Internet and other communication services."
The CRTC has previously allowed temporary access to fibre networks in Ontario and Quebec, where smaller providers have successfully used these interim rates to introduce new services since May 2024.
With the policy change announced in August 2024, competitors across Canada will soon be able to tap into fibre networks starting in February 2025.
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