Shaw Communications Inc.
(“MVNOs”) in Canada and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (“CRTC” or the “Commission”) mandate on affordable pricing. In accordance with this mandate, on March 5, 2020, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced the expectation that the national carriers (Bell Canada, Rogers Communications Canada and TELUS Communications) reduce their prices formid-range data plans(2-6 GB) by 25% over the next two years, and indicated that if “these targets are not met within two years, the Federal Government will take action with other regulatory tools to further increase competition and help reduce prices.”
In the BTLR Panel’s final report, issued on January 29, 2020, the Panel made recommendations that may lead to increased regulatory oversight of retail and wholesale telecommunications services with an emphasis on affordable access to advanced networks. If adopted, the BTLR Panel’s recommendations could result in new regulatory obligations applicable to the Company’s wireless or wireline services. Other recommendations may benefit the Company, including increased CRTC oversight of access to provincial and municipal support structure and passive infrastructure.
Implementation of the foregoing Ministerial mandates, whether or not in reliance upon the recommendations of the BTLR Panel, could result in: the introduction of new regulatory measures that negatively impact the business practices of the Company, our ability to serve customers and related costs; and/or negative impacts on the Company’s revenues and competitiveness in the wireless and wireline market.
CRTC Mobile Wireless Review
In February 2020, the CRTC held the oral hearing in its review of the regulatory framework for mobile wireless services. In this proceeding, the Commission is reviewing competition in the retail market, including potential regulatory intervention, such as new retail policies and mandatedlow-cost data-only plans, and wholesale wireless regulation, including wholesale access for MVNOs. Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to file final submissions has been delayed until further notice.
The CRTC’s determinations in this proceeding could negatively impact the Company’s revenues, growth prospects, and operational flexibility.
CRTC Review of Barriers to Broadband Deployment
On December 10, 2019, the Commission initiated a review to examine “potential barriers and/or regulatory solutions to building new facilities or interconnecting to existing facilities in order to extend broadband-capable networks more efficiently into underserved areas […].” The Commission specifically requested comments on barriers such as access to affordable transport services and efficient use of support structures; how and to what extent these barriers are preventing carriers from extending transport networks and offering services in underserved regions; and proposals on potential regulatory measures to address the barriers. The introduction of regulatory requirements applicable to the provision of wholesale transport services in rural or remote areas could negatively impact the Company’s revenues.
CRTC Third Party Internet Access Regime
On August 15, 2019, the CRTC issued Telecom Order2019-288 (the “Order”), which set Shaw’s final wholesale high-speed access (“HSA”) service rates. The final rates are significantly lower than the interim rates set in October 2016, and retroactive to January 31, 2017. On December 13, 2019, Shaw, jointly with other cable companies (the “Cable Carriers”) filed an application with the CRTC to review and vary the rate-setting methodology and the resulting rates, as well as the requirement to make retroactive payments.
Any of the following developments could significantly reduce the amount that Shaw can charge for aggregated HSA service and negatively impact Shaw’s broadband wireline revenues and its ability to compete with Resellers and other facilities-based HSA providers: a decision by the Federal Court of Appeal
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