By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC is asking Rogers if it would like to withdraw or amend an application related to a years-long dispute involving its access to New Brunswick poles, following the commission’s decision establishing concrete timelines for access to those support structures.
In the summer of 2020, the cable company filed a Part 1 application asking the CRTC to intervene in a dispute in which it alleged that Bell was delaying providing access to parts of the pole it co-owns with the utility, NB Power. Rogers alleged Bell was playing a “gatekeeper role” over access, which it said was “conferring on itself an undue preference.”
But this week, the CRTC released its long-awaited decision on barriers to broadband deployment, laying out specific timelines for third party access that the telecom owner must abide by. Rogers said in a statement following the decision that it was “pleased the CRTC is removing barriers so more service providers can get fair and efficient access to poles.”
The commission said in a letter to Rogers following the decision on Wednesday that, “the Commission made a number of determinations applying to poles under joint-use agreements that may address the issues raised by the applicant. For instance, the Commission established specific timelines applying to each step of the pole access permitting process.”
While Wednesday’s decision was specific to wireline equipment, the commission letter noted that the CRTC will also embark on a proceeding to address wireless facilities on those same structures.
“In light of the fact that Rogers’ concerns raised in its Application may be substantially addressed by the determinations set out in [pole access decision] and by the upcoming proceeding on the placement of wireless facilities on [incumbent] support structures, Rogers is to inform the Commission, by way of a letter, whether the Company wishes to withdraw or amend its Application.”
