Consumers urged to demand more choice as regulatory decision sparks industry outcry.
TELUS Consumer Solutions President Zainul Mawji has strongly criticized the Canadian government’s decision to reverse a key ruling by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In an interview with Tech Newsday, Mawji called the decision “protectionist” and said it undermines fair competition in Canada’s internet services market.
The CRTC decision followed a 17-month consultation process involving over 300 submissions and aimed to strike a delicate balance: enabling internet providers to share major networks while ensuring continued infrastructure investments. However, the federal Cabinet intervened, urging the CRTC to allow other providers access to the networks of major telcos but exclude the big three—TELUS, Bell, and Rogers—from requirements to share networks with each other.
This ruling, according to Mawji, unfairly disadvantages TELUS. “Bell already has a national network, and Rogers gained national access through its acquisition of Shaw. TELUS is the only one effectively excluded,” Mawji explained. She argued that excluding TELUS prevents them from competing in key regions like Ontario and Quebec, reducing choice and stifling innovation. “We want to compete. Consumers should decide, but we are being blocked from the opportunity.”
The implications, Mawji emphasized, go beyond corporate competition. Limited choice for consumers means fewer innovations, higher prices, and missed opportunities for underserved markets. TELUS has long invested in infrastructure, spending $7 billion to build robust networks in Western Canada. Mawji pointed out that instead of forcing companies to duplicate costly fibre networks, investments should target areas without reliable internet access. “Do we really need to dig up flower beds in cities again, or should we focus on bridging the digital divide for rural and Indigenous communities?” she asked.
To support broader competition and fairness, TELUS is urging Canadians to have their voices heard. “We’re asking people to demand more choice,” Mawji said, encouraging consumers to sign TELUS’s petition on change.org. “Fair competition benefits all Canadians. It’s about delivering affordability, innovation, and digital access for everyone.”
Our podcast, Hashtag Trending will air the full interview with Mawji in the coming days – keep an ear open for it. You can find in on all major podcast networks, YouTube and of course, on the podcasts page of Tech Newsday.
