Cogeco, Eastlink Say They Will Not Stop Decommissioning Despite CRTC Request

Why It Matters

The decommissioning threatens wholesale competition, potentially raising broadband costs for Canadian consumers and testing CRTC’s ability to enforce access rules.

Key Takeaways

• Cogeco, Eastlink continue copper decommissioning despite CRTC request
• CRTC staff letters lack commission’s binding authority
• TekSavvy, Fibernetics fear reduced wholesale access, higher prices
• Fiber rollout accelerates, challenging existing competition framework

Pulse Analysis

The transition from coaxial and copper to fiber‑to‑the‑premises is reshaping Canada’s broadband landscape. Incumbent cable operators Cogeco and Eastlink have announced that they will press ahead with scheduled decommissioning of legacy networks, arguing that maintaining aging copper plants is both technically impractical and financially unsustainable. By converting to full‑fiber, they aim to lower operating costs, improve service quality, and meet growing demand for high‑speed connectivity. However, the rapid pace of these upgrades raises questions about how quickly wholesale customers can be migrated to alternative transport solutions.

The Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has intervened by issuing staff letters urging the cablecos to preserve access for competing ISPs such as TekSavvy and Fibernetics. Yet, the regulator’s staff lack the authority to issue binding orders, leaving the incumbents free to follow their own timelines. Past CRTC decisions have forced carriers to keep copper lines operational, but the current framework does not compel cable operators to provide wholesale fiber access on the same terms as telcos. This regulatory gap fuels a growing dispute over fair competition.

For consumers, the fallout could be stark: reduced wholesale options may translate into higher broadband prices and fewer service choices, especially in regions where cable operators dominate. Smaller ISPs risk losing the last mile transport needed to reach customers, potentially curtailing innovation and local market diversity. Policymakers may need to revisit Canada’s wholesale access rules, possibly extending mandatory fiber‑to‑the‑premises provisions to cable incumbents. Until a clear regulatory mandate emerges, the industry is likely to see continued tension between rapid fiber deployment and the preservation of competitive broadband ecosystems.