CANADA NEEDS AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS POLICY FRAMEWORK Cable Industry advises the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel to consider the convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting CNW The Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association (CCTA) today called on the federal government to consider a new communications policy for Canada that would reflect the convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting over broadband internet.
In a submission filed today, CCTA recommended that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) be permitted to complete its mandate to introduce competition in the local telephone market, while the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel addresses a new communications framework for Canada based on the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications over the internet.
"Over the next five years, the internet will evolve from a graphic- and text-based medium into a video-based communications infrastructure that will revolutionize how consumers communicate, become entertained and receive or distribute information," said Michael Hennessy, CCTA President. "Rather than amending the current Telecommunications Act which is working well, the Panel should consider how convergence will affect all communications policy by the end of the decade."
"New broadband networks will allow consumers to obtain entertainment and information from anywhere in the world online and on demand," said Mr. Hennessy. "The best way to accelerate investment in these networks is to support CRTC efforts to promote facilities-based competition in telecommunications."
CCTA advised the Telecommunications Panel that the current regulatory framework for telecommunications does not have to be changed in the short term. By any standard, Canada is a world leader in communications and, as the success of most telecommunications markets in Canada demonstrates, the Telecommunications Act already contains the fundamental tools that are necessary to promote facilities-based competition.
"Current challenges to the CRTC's authority are not justified when we measure Canada's success against international benchmarks that do not have comparable broadband penetration rates," stated Mr. Hennessy. "The existing regulatory framework has resulted in universally accessible and affordable service, as well as the introduction of competition in all telecommunication markets except local telephony."
However, there will be implications on communication policy when video, music, data and communications services can be accessed either from traditional suppliers (TV networks, radio, telephone companies and the cable industry) or directly by consumers from anywhere in the world through the internet. CCTA endorses a communications policy that focuses on an integrated approach to communications.
"Once all content is available via broadband, a closed broadcast environment will be fundamentally incompatible with the open structure of the internet," added Mr. Hennessy.
CCTA also recommended the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel:
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