Streaming services just got more expensive; your internet bill might be next

As Streaming Prices Soar, Canada’s Internet Future Hangs in the Balance

"The extra 14% Netflix just added to your streaming bill might seem steep, but it’s just the warm-up act for what could be coming to your internet service," warns Paul Andersen, President of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC). Canadians are bracing for a host of price increases as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decides the future of internet competition.

The CRTC’s recent steps to open access to internet service providers (ISPs) through fibre optic networks seemed like a boon. It opened doors for regional players like Babbl, Lightspeed, and CanCom to challenge the Big Three telcos—TELUS, Bell, and Rogers—to drive down prices and offer more choice. But a loophole threatens to turn this opportunity into a trojan horse.

The CRTC overlooked a critical detail: it didn’t prevent the Big Three from accessing each other’s networks and those of smaller ISPs. "It’s like inviting guests to a party without setting any rules," Andersen laments. "Now, these telecom giants are exploiting that loophole to squash genuine competition."

TELUS, nursing multi-billion-dollar revenues, has the audacity to label itself a "new entrant." But Andersen is quick to point out the fallacy. "When smaller competitors are forced out, it’s a sure shot that these giants will hike prices. It’s already happening with streaming services; we can’t let it happen with internet too."

CNOC and its members aren’t sitting idle. They’ve launched ‘Break Free from the Big Three,’ rallying Canadians to demand real internet competition. "We’re not asking for handouts," Andersen clarify, "just a level playing field so we can offer Canadians more choice and affordable internet."

In an era where affordability and cost of living are critical concerns, Andersen fears that regulator inaction could trigger a domino effect: regional ISPs disappear, jobs are lost, and network investments dry up. "This isn’t about protecting monopolies; it’s about encouraging fair competition," he insists. "Canadians deserve better than the status quo."

Andersen’s optimism is infectious. He believes regulators can still right this wrong, close the loophole, and set Canada up for genuine, sustainable internet competition. "It’s a chance to make a real difference in Canadians’ wallets and everyday lives," he says. "Let’s seize it."