Thread by @mobutils

I’ve been loosely following the @CRTCeng Third Party Internet Access (TPIA) Tariff. It’s been of interest to me as I had recently switched to a TPIA provider to save some money. A few of weeks ago I had noticed my providers website listed my plan but with 100Mbps upload. 1/

I inquired, and was informed I would be upgraded automagically. Apparently that wasn't exactly correct info as yesterday I stumbled upon this notice. Which unfortunately no longer included my plan. Bummer. 2/
lightspeed.ca/network-upgrad…

“Only the future knows for certain what the @CRTCeng may mandate eventually.” Initially I waved it off but it sparked my interest. However last night, in an effort to slay my insomnia with something boring to read I thought I would read the current @CRTCeng proceedings. 3/

@ShawInfo is my last mile provider, so what I read was in relation to them. Turns out that the while some of the reading was indeed boring, a lot of it wasn’t. Especially the Interventions from the TPIA groups and @ShawInfo’s Replies to them, which get a little heated! 4/

Just a little background, the TPIA was created in part to reduce internet costs, and to allow smaller entrants to fairly compete in the market 👍. In 2016 the @CRTCeng set interim Wholesale High Speed Access (WHSA) rates, based on cost analysis reports provided by the Telcos. 5/

Here is where things get VERY interesting! In Aug 2019, upon review the @CRTCeng found that the Telco’s cost analysis were dramatically inflated, and outlined revised pricing that cut capacity rates 15-43%, and access rates 3-77% lower than the interim rates. RETROACTIVELY! 6/

Essentially, Telco’s are on the hook to repay ~3 years of WHSA fees. @ShawInfo, a comparatively smaller telco nationally, estimated at the time (Aug 2019) that would amount to ~$10M, although that has probably increased a little over time. 7/

Put into perspective though. $10M, that’s 6% of Shaw’s 2020 Q4 net income of $175M or 1.04% of their annual net income of $688M in 2020. A fraction of a percent when amortized over the period in question. IMO pocket change for these guys. 8/

Appeals to the revised pricing structure were brought before the court, one from @Bell and one from @Rogers, @ShawInfo, @Videotron, & @cogeco. The @FedCourtApp_en on Sep 10 2020, dismissed these cases, and ordered the Telco’s to pay @WeAreTeksavvy and @cnoconline legal fees! 9/

All in all great news for consumers! Once the CRTC’s review of their structure is completed we may se some further reduction in internet costs this year… I hope! 10/

The latest ‘pending’ decision is in regard to Band 10, Internet Service (1001 Mbps – 1500 Mbps). @ShawInfo has broken with the procedure for this again, by arbitrary setting an “acceptable range” for this band, $101.69-$127 Per month. But has not provided a cost analysis. 11/

@ShawInfo in reply to multiple interventions, stated “Shaw’s ability to keep Gig Services in the market will depend on the outcomes of the review and vary of TO 2019-288, the Relief Application, and TNs 34 and 36 – all of which are inextricably linked.” 12/

Essentially, they are threatening to pull these services from market if the decision does not go their way. Crazy talk. It will be interesting where things go from here!

That’s it. Thanks to @TekSavvyNetwork and @cnoconline for their continued consumer advocacy! 13/End

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