Report on BEREC International Mission to Canada

Document number: BoR (18) 162

Document date: 04-10-2018

Date of registration: 10-10-2018

Document type:
Author: BEREC

Each year, BEREC organises a visit to a non-member country to gain insights from the local electronic communications markets and digital ecosystem. During a typical study trip, the BEREC delegation meets representatives of the NRA, the relevant ministries, as well as incumbent operators, new entrants and other stakeholders in the industry. 

BEREC Chair 2018 Mr Johannes Gungl (RTR), and the Vice-Chairs Mr Sebastien Soriano (ARCEP), Mr Jeremy Godfrey (COMREG), Mr George Michaelides (OCECPR), Mr Vladica Tintor (RATEL), accompanied by Ms Elisabeth Dornetshumer (RTR, BEREC CN Chair 2018) and Anne Lenfant (Director for Europe and International, ARCEP) travelled to Canada and the United States to meet institutional and industry stakeholders.

The meetings were held in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Washington and covered several topics. The delegation was particularly interested in the following topics: 5G and net neutrality issues. Regarding 5G, from the discussions with the different stakeholders, it appears that Canada is making huge efforts to be in the leading countries in the race towards 5G deployment in which Europe intend to lead. Concerning Net neutrality issues -on which Canada was one of the first countries worldwide having rules that ensure the access to an open internet-, the CRTC reaffirmed its commitment to continue its current policy in favour of net neutrality protection.