Tag: Vicky Eatrides

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Mobile Syrup

CRTC chair promises timely process in response to Ministers letter

Vicky Eatrides wants to ensure federal Ministers that she will work alongside Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) staff to “meet the needs of all Canadians.”

Eatrides shared the words in response to a letter from Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne outlining the government’s priorities.

Part of the commission’s work includes getting ready to launch a public consultation examining how they can increase the resilience and reliance of telecom networks in Canada. The CRTC is also working to implement a new approach to mobile wireless services and review the framework surrounding wholesale internet.

“As Canada’s broadcasting industry is undergoing significant change, the CRTC is following legislative developments and will be ready to build the regulatory frameworks required to ensure the timely and effective implementation of Bill C-11…and Bill C-18… if adopted by Parliament,” she added.

One of the concerns outlined by the Ministers, and echoed by Canadians, is the amount of time it takes the CRTC to share decisions. Eatrides said the commission is working on addressing timeliness, accessibility, and openness.

“We will ensure that Canadians can take advantage of the new possibilities of the digital age and that no one is left behind as new technologies change our industries and lives,” Eatrides concludes.

Source: CRTC

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Mobile Syrup

Ministers Rodriguez and Champagne outline new CRTC chair’s expectations in letter

As the new head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Vicky Eatrides has a long list of responsibilities, and two federal Ministers want to cement the fact.

In a letter to Eatrides, Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne listed a number of issues they say are vital for Eatrides to accomplish her mandate.

Listed towards the beginning of the letter are references to Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, and Bill C-18, the Online News Act. If passed, the CRTC will govern them, giving the regulatory body additional powers.

“Our leadership, and that of the CRTC more broadly, will be critical to ensuring that new legislation is implemented effectively,” the letter states. “Practical and workable regulations can ensure policy goals are met while maintaining Canadians’ online experience and ensuring everyone can participate in and benefit from an increasingly digital culture and society.”

The Ministers further state their concerns on a number of issues weighing the CRTC down, namely how long it takes the CRTC to make decisions, how accessible their practices are to the public, and transparency.

“Public interest decision making requires hearing from diverse interests. Right now, there is a perception among many that access to CRTC processes is unequal,” the Ministers write. “While the regulator’s open and evidence-based processes are a core strength, barriers to participation remain.”

The letter also states the CRTC should continue reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples by working together on policies that may affect them “in a spirit of recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.”

The telecom industry also needs improvement, the letter states, and a proposed new policy direction for the organization will help guide them. Addressing competition and affordability, the Ministers say the CRTC should ensure wholesale internet services are “used, supervised, and adjusted effectively and in a timely manner.”

Wholesale internet services are something Eatrides has promised to change. In an interview with MobileSyrup, Eatrides said the CRTC will share a new model with Canadians “within the coming months.”

“It’s a top priority for the organization because what we’ve done is not working,” she said.

Source: Canadian Heritage 

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Mobile Syrup

New CRTC chair promises revamped internet pricing model coming soon

Canadians pay some of the highest internet prices in the world, and Vicky Eatrides wants to change that.

It’s a lofty goal, but in her new position as the chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Eatrides wants Canadians to know the plan has precedence.

“It’s a top priority for the organization because what we’ve done is not working,” Eatrides told MobileSyrup. Clarity on a new model will come soon, she promised. “We’re talking about within the coming months; we’re not talking about a year away.” The lack of specifications doesn’t bode well for the long-sought-after promise to lower internet prices, but Eatrides has made commitments that beg for a little patience. “This is, I would say, imminent.”

After all, Eatrides is only in her fourth week on the job, and she has already taken action on another important file: mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).

MVNOs operate in addition to existing networks, similar to how independent service providers (ISPs) use existing broadband infrastructure to provide Canadians with internet access. Back in October, the CRTC published the terms and conditions for MVNO agreements between regional providers and incumbents Bell, Rogers, Telus and SaskTel. The hope is that MVNOs will increase competition in the wireless market.

Last week, the commission published a letter asking the incumbents to share a status update on negotiations. They have until February 8th to answer which regional providers requested to begin negotiations, the status, and when they’ll set agreements.

“[We] are holding large wireless providers to account,” Eatrides said.

Despite her leading goals, the two files aren’t the only things she wants to accomplish during her time at the CRTC. With hundreds of “complex files” on the go, along with the potential responsibilities of Bills C-11 and C-18, there is a lot to tackle.

The two bills, which are currently making their way through the appropriate avenues, will see the CRTC govern streaming content and the way online platforms use news content. Eatrides confirmed the CRTC has started to prepare internally to “gear up” if the bills are passed.

Critics have looked at Eatrides’ appointment with optimism. She brings over 20 years of experience and has worked both in the private and public sectors, including the Competition Bureau. She also served as the Assistant Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) before taking her current role at the CRTC.

Eatrides says the experiences she acquired in her previous roles will assist her in this new venture.

“I really want for the CRTC to be able to make a difference in the lives of Canadians, and I really want people to associate the CRTC with doing good things for them”

Image credit: CRTC

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Mobile Syrup

The CRTC’s new chair wants to focus on MVNOs, internet pricing

One of Vicky Eatrides’ first priorities as the new chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) appears to be the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) regime.

The CRTC published the rules governing MVNO agreements in October. According to Cartt.ca, Eatrides’ wants telecom providers to inform the commission of updated negotiations.

“We are going to follow up soon to figure out where those negotiations are between the larger players and the regional providers,” Eatrides’ told the publication.

MVNOs will function in addition to existing mobile networks and requires network infrastructure and spectrum investment from regional providers to gain access.

Internet pricing also appears to be a priority for the new chair. “What we’ve done on the internet side is clearly not having the desired effect that we wanted, and so we’re looking at coming up with a better model with respect to… wholesale access,” she told Cartt.ca.

In 2019, the commission said internet rates needed to be lowered and introduced a proposal to do so. However, it backtracked in 2021, stating the decision had errors.

Eatrides takes over the role from Ian Scott.

Source: Cartt.ca 

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Mobile Syrup

Competition Bureau veteran Vicky Eatrides selected as new CRTC chair

Vicky Eatrides will fill the role of chairperson at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) starting January 5th, 2023.

Eatrides has worked in the Competition Bureau of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED).

At the Competition Bureau, she served as Senior Deputy Commissioner in charge of enforcing parts of the Competition Act. “She developed expertise in telecommunications, broadcasting and new technologies by leading merger reviews, civil and criminal investigations, and regulatory interventions,” a press release outlining the appointment says.

Eatrides previously taught Competition Law courses at Queen’s University and is a member of the Ontario Bar. She will fill the role for five years, replacing the previous chair, Ian Scott.

Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage, is responsible for the appointment. He also enlisted Alicia Barin and Adam Scott as vice chairs.

Source: Canadian Heritage