OTTAWA — The majority of Canadians polled recently by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) said they support new regulations that would promote greater wireless competition by forcing Canada’s largest carriers to share their infrastructure with new providers.
With its full research report scheduled to be released in March, the CIRA announced a few tidbits from the report on Tuesday, as the CRTC begins its two-week-long wireless policy review hearing. One of the key questions being considered by the Commission is whether or not wholesale network access should be mandated to allow mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to enter the Canadian market.
In its news release, the CIRA said 60% of Canadians who took part in its public opinion survey said they support requiring Canada’s largest mobile service providers to share their infrastructure with new providers to increase competition in the mobile sector.
Among the report’s other findings previewed today, 65% of Canadians continue to support the principle of net neutrality. In addition, 86% of survey respondents said universal access to high-speed Internet is important for Canada’s overall economic growth and prosperity. Finally, 80% of Canadians said they believe it is important Canada’s Internet service providers and online service companies invest in building up Internet infrastructure inside Canada’s borders, according to the CIRA news release.
The CIRA’s research report will detail Canadians’ views on key connectivity, Internet governance and digital policy questions. The report will be released ahead of the 2020 Canadian Internet Governance Forum, which will take place in Montreal on Monday, March 30.
