Thursday, August 29, 2019

Bell undermines push for rural internet


Bell Canada said it will cut back on its wireless home internet expansion into rural areas by 20 per cent, prompting the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to plead for government intervention or help.

Bell made its move after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission issued a ruling that smaller internet service providers would pay lower “wholesale” prices for Bell’s infrastructure.

Rogers and Shaw, the two other major internet companies, have also said they might reduce service.

The OFA said “we are calling on the federal government, the provincial government and the CRTC to put their heads together and fix this mess by working with the big players. 

“Some form of compromise must be found to ensure rural Ontario is not held hostage in no service areas. 

“All parties need to get over the disagreements for the benefit of all of Ontario,” the OFA said.