Competition Bureau Seeks Public Comment on its Draft Bulletin on the Abuse of Dominance in Telecommunications

Ottawa, September 26, 2006 – The Competition Bureau today issued a draft Bulletin for public comment that describes its approach in reviewing abuse of dominance complaints in deregulated telecommunications markets. This Bulletin supplements the Bureau’s Enforcement Guidelines on the Abuse of Dominance Provisions, which provide general guidance on its approach to abuse of dominance.

The telecommunications industry is in transition from being governed by sector-specific regulation to laws of general application. In March 2006, the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel published a report that found competition has progressed in most telecommunications markets to the point where market forces can be relied upon to achieve many of Canada’s telecommunications policy objectives. The move from a regulated to a competitive environment will have a significant impact for many in the industry, requiring all parties to comply with the general competition framework of the Competition Act. This Bulletin outlines how the Bureau would address specific issues related to anti-competitive conduct in the telecommunications industry in markets no longer subject to regulation

The Bureau developed the Bulletin in anticipation of greater reliance on the Competition Act, rather than sector-specific regulation, with a view to being more transparent and predictable. In drafting the Bulletin, the Bureau consulted with CRTC staff to benefit from their expertise in the telecommunications sector.

Interested parties are invited to provide comments and/or suggestions on this draft Bulletin by January 12, 2007. These can be submitted by e-mail, fax, or regular mail. Submissions will be made available to the public and posted on the Bureau’s Web site, except where confidentiality is specifically requested. The Bureau will review the comments received and subsequently publish a final document.

Please submit comments to:

Mr. Masood Qureshi
Fax: 819-953-8546
E-mail: qureshi.masood@cb-bc.gc.ca

Mailing address:
Competition Bureau
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Québec
K1A 0C9

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Eric Glaude
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
819-953-9760

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282
1-800-348-5358