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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Northwest Territories Internet service provider SSI Micro is rallying public support to tackle a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) policy prohibiting telecommunications competition.

"I am certain you are aware that NorthwesTel enjoys a monopoly in the local voice services market," SSI Micro CEO Jeff Philipp said in a recent letter to the company's internet subscribers.

"You may not be aware, however, that rules put in place by the CRTC actually prohibit local competition in Canada's northern territories."

The CRTC is currently reviewing whether local telecommunications competition should be permitted in NorthwesTel's operating territories and initiated a consultation seeking public input on whether local competition should be allowed in the North.

"The prohibition on local competition in the North is unjustifiable; it works to the detriment of

consumers, businesses and innovation, and it must be eliminated," an SSI draft letter to the CRTC for subscribers, states.

The submission deadline for comments was Sept. 2, and a CRTC public hearing is scheduled to take place in October.

SSI Micro also recently filed a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission against NorthwesTel, accusing the Internet service provider of discriminatory pricing. That file is now closed for review.

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