1377 REVIEW: CANADA CONSIDERING RESPONSE TO ISP

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000800 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/CIP TFINTON DEPT PASS USTR FOR KSHAGRIN AND JMCHALE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS ETRD SUBJECT: 1377 REVIEW: CANADA CONSIDERING RESPONSE TO ISP APPLICATION REF: STATE 50683 ¶1. Econoff contacted CRTC Executive Director for Telecommunications Shirley Soehn to solicit information on how Canada planned to address the issues raised Reftel. Soehn noted that the CRTC received an Application from the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP) regarding the "anti-competitive provision of high-speed access and retail Internet services, including 'lite' service, by incumbent cable and telephone carriers." Soehn stated that ISP's already have non-discriminatory access to cable infrastructure at wholesale rates set by the CRTC and that it was not a requirement that CRTC address this issue of access to "lite" Internet service. However, the CRTC is currently reviewing the application and follow-on submissions and would be making a recommendation to the CRTC Commissioner. Soehn did not provide a time-frame for a conclusion of the proceedings on CAIP's application. Details on the various submissions can be found on the CRTC web site at: www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/end/2002/8622/c51-03.h tm. ¶2. Soehn commented that she was surprised that this issue had been raised in the context of USTR's annual 1377 review given that "Canadian regulations go well beyond those in the U.S." in providing ISP's with access to incumbent's high speed Internet networks. KELLY