Telecom Trends

The English language allows people to say the same thing using different words. A challenge in diplomatic initiatives and newspaper reporting is selecting which words to use. Different words express similar ideas in different ways. Some of the subtleties are often lost on mere mortals.

The same holds for regulatory decisions and reports.

As a result, carriers have been able to find inspiration from the CRTC's latest telecom industry monitoring report - with all sides claiming that their position has been bolstered. As I read the report, I have some concerns that, in at least one case, the report uses terminology that includes a subtle, yet unfortunate bias.

For example, in describing the participants in the Internet service space, incumbent local exchange carriers are refered to as 'incumbents' rather than ILECs. The CRTC is familiar with the term ILEC; it refers to 'ILECs, out-of-territory' on the same chart.

By using a term like 'Incumbents' on a chart describing internet service, it implies that the phone companies were there first - the phone companies are the ones to beat. Yet, the telcos have always been playing catchup with high speed.

Let's be honest here. If there is an 'incumbent' for internet service, the title should go to the cable companies.

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CRTC, monitoring report, ILEC