Bell seeks open competition in new medium

Bell Canada has called on the CRTC to allow open market competition for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Bell feels this would encourage the development and delivery of innovative services for Canadian consumers and businesses. Appearing Tuesday as part of a panel representing Bell, Aliant, SaskTel and Télébec at a CRTC public consultation examining what rules (if any) should apply to VoIP, Lawson Hunter, EVP of Bell parent BCE, took issue with the CRTC's preliminary position taken in April that prices for VoIP be regulated. Hunter said this fails to take into account that many VoIP services are Internet applications, which are unregulated and would not allow the telcos a level playing field.
'VoIP technology is enabling new competitors to build viable voice businesses in Canada and around the world with minimal investment,' said Hunter. 'This is not telecom as usual.' The CRTC public consultation concludes today.
By Staff 
September 23, 2004

Bell Canada has called on the CRTC to allow open market competition for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Bell feels this would encourage the development and delivery of innovative services for Canadian consumers and businesses. Appearing Tuesday as part of a panel representing Bell, Aliant, SaskTel and Télébec at a CRTC public consultation examining what rules (if any) should apply to VoIP, Lawson Hunter, EVP of Bell parent BCE, took issue with the CRTC’s preliminary position taken in April that prices for VoIP be regulated. Hunter said this fails to take into account that many VoIP services are Internet applications, which are unregulated and would not allow the telcos a level playing field.

‘VoIP technology is enabling new competitors to build viable voice businesses in Canada and around the world with minimal investment,’ said Hunter. ‘This is not telecom as usual.’ The CRTC public consultation concludes today.