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The CRTC’s wholesale-internet framework does not let Bell, Rogers, TELUS or every other large carrier freely use any competitor’s network. It primarily requires large telephone companies—including Bell, SaskTel and TELUS—to give qualifying competitors regulated access to their fibre-to-the-premises networks. It also permits a large incumbent to use another incumbent’s wholesale network in areas where it lacks its own network footprint.
The rules concern fixed internet access, not mobile MVNO access. They are still being implemented and monitored, and related appeals and judicial-review proceedings have not necessarily been resolved.
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The short version
- What access means: A retail internet provider can buy a regulated wholesale access service and sell internet over another company’s physical network.
- Where large incumbents can use rival networks: Generally, outside areas where they already have their own network footprint.
- What they cannot do: Use wholesale access as a general substitute for their own network inside their traditional serving territory.
- What consumers may see: More providers, promotions and bundles at some addresses—not guaranteed price cuts everywhere.
- Current status: The framework continues to be implemented, including through final wholesale rates in Telecom Order CRTC 2026-77, while legal challenges remain relevant.
Which CRTC decision is this?
“CRTC keeps the decision” is a description of an ongoing regulatory story, not the formal title of one single ruling identified in the available record. The central policy is Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-180, which established the modern wholesale high-speed-access framework for fibre networks.
Large incumbent local exchange carriers were required to offer aggregated wholesale access over fibre-to-the-premises facilities in their incumbent territories by February 13, 2025. Subsequent decisions addressed implementation, location disclosure, restrictions on out-of-territory use, disputes and rates.
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The framework has not simply vanished. The CRTC says competitors are already using aggregated wholesale fibre access, and it has continued issuing implementation decisions. However, a CRTC policy remains different from a court judgment immune from appeal. Appeal and judicial-review proceedings concerning the broader framework were expected to be heard together, likely in late 2026 or early 2027, according to a public-company disclosure.
Read the disclosure about the expected legal timetable.
Who can use whose network?
The headline can reverse the most important part of the story. The main consumer-facing purpose of the framework is to let smaller, regional and other competing ISPs use the networks of large telephone companies.
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- Bell Canada, including Bell Aliant and Bell MTS;
- SaskTel; and
- TELUS Communications.
The broader wholesale high-speed-access regime also involves incumbent cable carriers and their third-party internet-access services. The rules are not identical for every company, technology or address.
A large incumbent may also use another incumbent’s wholesale high-speed-access service where it does not have its own network footprint. For example, a telco with no fibre facilities in a particular city could potentially sell a retail plan using another carrier’s regulated wholesale service. That does not mean it built fibre there or owns the last-mile connection.
What “wholesale access” means
Wholesale access is a regulated business arrangement, not a transfer of network ownership. The underlying carrier continues to own and maintain the physical infrastructure. A retail ISP purchases an approved access service under a tariff, rate structure and technical arrangement governed by the CRTC.
In practical terms:
- The underlying carrier operates the fibre, cable or other access network reaching the customer.
- The competing ISP orders access for an eligible address and connects to the carrier’s wholesale system.
- The competing ISP bills the customer, markets the plan and provides its own retail support.
- Installation, repairs, capacity and some technical functions may still depend heavily on the underlying network owner.
“Aggregated” wholesale high-speed access generally means the competitor connects to the incumbent’s network at an approved network interface rather than building a separate connection to every home.
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This is different from mobile MVNO access. An MVNO arrangement concerns wireless service using mobile radio and spectrum networks. The framework discussed here is primarily about fixed broadband, including fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) internet.
The in-territory restriction is the key limit
The CRTC’s rule is not an open invitation for Bell, Rogers, TELUS or another large carrier to use a rival’s network anywhere it chooses. The Commission determined that an incumbent may use another incumbent’s wholesale HSA service only where it does not have a network footprint.
The stated balance is straightforward: allow out-of-territory competition while preserving an incentive for companies to build and operate networks in the territories they traditionally serve.
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The practical questions can be complicated:
- Network footprint: Eligibility may depend on whether the incumbent has its own facilities serving the relevant area, not simply whether it has a retail brand or website presence there.
- Mixed neighbourhoods: A carrier may reach some homes but not others. Wholesale eligibility can therefore vary by address.
- Technology differences: Fibre availability is not the same as cable, DSL or other HSA availability.
- Geographic boundaries: A provider may be able to use wholesale access in a neighbouring city or province where it lacks facilities, while being restricted in its traditional territory.
The CRTC’s explanation of the restriction is available in Telecom Decision CRTC 2026-29. Its earlier discussion of interim access, investment protection and the in-territory rule appears in Telecom Decision CRTC 2025-154.
Why the CRTC adopted the framework
The CRTC says wholesale access can increase provider choice and affordability by allowing competitors to use existing fibre infrastructure rather than waiting for a duplicate network to be built. Its objectives include:
- More retail internet-provider choice;
- faster use of existing fibre;
- competition where a provider lacks its own facilities;
- potentially greater affordability and bundle competition; and
- continued compensation for network investment.
The Commission says competition should put downward pressure on prices, particularly for bundled communications services. That is an expected market effect, not a guarantee that every customer will receive a cheaper plan.
Why large carriers and facilities-based competitors object
Incumbents and other network builders have argued that mandated wholesale access could reduce the returns from fibre construction. Their concerns include:
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- a large carrier could enter another company’s territory without duplicating infrastructure;
- an incumbent-owned or affiliated “flanker” brand could compete with independent ISPs over similar infrastructure; and
- weaker returns could discourage future fibre deployment.
The CRTC attempted to address those concerns through cost-based rates, the in-territory restriction and delayed access to certain newly deployed fibre. Whether those safeguards produce the intended investment incentives is one of the questions the Commission continues to monitor.
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Why independent ISPs support access—but still need workable terms
Independent providers generally argue that incumbent networks can be unavoidable bottlenecks. Building a second fibre line to every home is expensive and slow, while wholesale access can create competition sooner.
But access on paper is not necessarily commercially useful. A provider also needs workable:
- wholesale rates and speed tiers;
- network-to-network interface charges;
- address-qualification data;
- installation appointments;
- capacity and backhaul arrangements;
- repair obligations; and
- service-performance processes.
A small ISP can therefore remain dependent on the network owner for the last-mile connection, installation and repairs even when it controls the retail relationship and customer billing.
What changed after the original policy?
Implementation has involved more than the original policy announcement.
In Telecom Decision CRTC 2026-29, the CRTC directed Bell and TELUS to disclose wholesale-fibre-available locations to Quebecor and Rogers by March 13, 2026. It also clarified that Bell and TELUS could not condition disclosure on receiving reciprocal disclosure of their own served locations.
The Commission later set final rates and related terms in Telecom Order CRTC 2026-77, replacing interim rates for access to large telephone companies’ fibre networks and setting rates for associated FTTP and non-FTTP HSA services.
The CRTC has also continued monitoring market shares, out-of-territory subscribers, bundling, independent-ISP growth and new fibre investment. A separate implementation dispute involving Fibernetics and Rogers is addressed in Telecom Decision CRTC 2026-107.
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There is no single national “wholesale internet price.” Telecom Order 2026-77 contains rate tables and terms that vary by service and carrier. The relevant details can include:
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- the access speed;
- monthly recurring charges;
- one-time charges;
- network-to-network interface charges; and
- carrier- or service-specific terms.
The CRTC says it used its Phase II costing approach after reviewing cost evidence and submissions. These rates are inputs into a provider’s economics, not a consumer price list. A retail ISP may use the difference between its wholesale cost and retail price for network operations, support, promotions, investment or margin.
The CRTC estimates that competitor offerings using wholesale FTTP could potentially reach up to 8.5 million Canadian households. That is a potential address reach—not the number of households that have switched or currently subscribe through a wholesale-based provider.
What has happened in practice?
The CRTC says TELUS was offering retail internet using aggregated wholesale FTTP in Ontario and Quebec, while Bell announced plans for Alberta and British Columbia. These examples show how a major brand can market service outside its traditional facilities footprint, but they do not establish universal availability.
Actual competition depends on whether a provider launches in a particular market, qualifies the address, has capacity, advertises the service and can support customers at sustainable margins.
What this could mean for your internet bill
Potential consumer benefits include more providers at the same address, additional promotions, new bundles and an easier switch without waiting for a new network build. But prices may not fall automatically. Results depend on local participation, wholesale costs, retail strategy, service capacity and the customer’s address.
When comparing a new plan, check:
- exact-address availability;
- whether the connection is fibre, cable, DSL, fixed wireless or satellite;
- download and upload speeds, including whether uploads are symmetrical;
- latency and data caps;
- the regular price after any promotion;
- equipment rental and installation charges;
- contract and early-cancellation terms;
- telephone or television-bundle requirements; and
- who handles installation and repairs when another company owns the network.
Provider websites can be useful starting points, but availability and pricing must be checked at the address and on the date of signup. Examples of providers consumers may encounter include TekSavvy, VMedia, oxio, Fizz, Distributel, EBOX, Bell and TELUS. Wholesale rules do not mean every provider serves every network, province or address.
What remains unresolved
The framework’s practical outcome will depend on three continuing tests:
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- Commercial usability: Independent ISPs must be able to use the rates, interfaces and operating processes to offer viable retail service.
- Investment results: The CRTC is watching whether wholesale competition expands without discouraging new fibre construction.
The Commission’s monitoring requests are described in its 2026 market-monitoring correspondence.
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