We hear the name often, but what is the CRTC and what do they do? To give the commission its full name – Canadian Radio – Television and Telecommunications Commission, still doesn’t really help us much other than to understand it has something to do with radio and television. In fact, Kelly McParland of the National Post states, “I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of Canadians haven’t got a clue what the CRTC is or does.”
Hopefully, we can shed some light on its role in Canada’s telecommunications industry with this article as we believe that it is helpful for our clients and readers to know. Read on to find out more. Contact us at Network Telecom if you wish to modernize your telecommunications equipment.
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The CRTC’s Beginnings and Role
The CRTC began life in 1976 when it became responsible for monitoring and regulating all telecommunication carriers in Canada. Prior to this time, it was known as the Canada Radio Television Commission.
In the present day, the CRTC is probably best known for its role in regulating and enforcing the Canadian content rules for radio and television. However, the CRTC is also responsible for ensuring that there is a sufficient level of competition in the landline telephone industry.
The CRTC’s Current Responsibilities
Currently, the CRTC is primarily focused on protecting Canadians. According to the CRTC website its role is to:
- Promote and enforce compliance with regulations
- Ensure Canadians can access emergency communication services
- Empower Canadians through increased awareness and knowledge
These key roles allow Canadians to feel more confident, knowing that they have a representative looking out for their welfare.
The CRTC and Unsolicited Calls
The CRTC also provides an ongoing consumer protection service by enforcing company and business compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules. This is an attempt to protect businesses and consumers from receiving annoying and unwanted phone calls on a regular basis.
In addition to providing regulations to reduce the impact of unsolicited calls, the CRTC also provides helpful advice for Canadians such as the information found on this infographic on their site. In addition, the CRTC provides information on the DNCL (National Do Not Call List) with an infographic here. At Network Telecom we are more than happy to help our customers use and find the features that can reduce the frustration of the unsolicited phone call phenomenon.
Emergency 9-1-1 Services and the CRTC 
The CRTC is concerned with the safety of Canadian telephone users. The CRTC is responsible for ensuring that Canadian landline and mobile phone users have access to reliable communications services when they are faced with an emergency.
This means that most Canadians can access basic or enhanced 9-1-1 services. Basic services require the caller to provide the address of the emergency. Enhanced services detect the location of the user automatically. For more information on this topic, follow this link to the CRTC 9-1-1 Services page.
The CRTC and Internet Providers
In a recent move, the CRTC has made a move to encourage healthy competition by reducing the amount that large internet providers can charge for smaller companies seeking to access their networks. This means that wholesale prices for internet access will be lower for smaller internet providers, allowing them to be more competitive in the retail market.
The CRTC was critical of the incumbent providers “costing principles and methodologies,” according to Christine Dobbie of the Globe and Mail.
The Network Telecom Advantage
At Network Telecom, our knowledgeable staff have accumulated many years of experience in business telecommunication technology. Keeping up to date with all the ongoing innovations and changes the information age bring us has kept us at the forefront of telecommunications.
In addition, we have consistently striven to be the best possible solution for all of your business telecom needs.
Our number one goal to provide exceptional purchase support and technical service in the communications industry. Network Telecom operates in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph region.