The Potential Death of Wireline Telephony: What This Could Mean for Canadian Consumers

Author

Anaïs Beaulieu-Laporte

Organization

Union des consommateurs

Published

2022

Summary

More and more Canadian households are discontinuing their wireline service, yet Canada still has one of the lowest rates of consumers subscribing exclusively to wireless devices. Some providers have begun to dismantle their wireline network in favor of fibre optics marking the almost inevitable end to this service. This report studies the impact that the disappearance of wireline telephony will have, especially on the most vulnerable consumers.

The report recounts the state of fixed telephony services in Canada and the warning signs of the end of wireline services. It details the multiple contributions of telephony to society and the socio-economic risks that the end of wireline service could generate. The report analyzes replacement options and assesses the extent to which they meet the needs and expectations of Canadian consumers. The report also examines the wireline network discontinuation processes already underway in France, the United Kingdom and the United States, in order to reflect on the measures required in Canada to ensure a smooth transition to other telephone technologies. UC therefore recommends that the CRTC proactively regulate all wireline termination practices and adopt a formal framework to that effect.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database