Canada – Order in Council concerning  Telecom Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2021-130

Apr 17, 2022 | International

The Governor in Council has responded to a petition, pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act, concerning the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s Telecom Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2021-130.

The Governor in Council has responded to a petition, pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act, concerning the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s Telecom Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2021-130.

The official text is available via the Privy Council Office. Below is the unofficial text of the Order in Council for reference:

Whereas, on April 15, 2021, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the “Commission”) rendered Telecom Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2021-130, Review of mobile wireless services;

Whereas, in the decision, the Commission mandated the provision of a wholesale facilities-based mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) access service for regional wireless carriers which possess mobile spectrum licences that cover defined localized service areas;

Whereas, in that decision, the Commission determined that the obligation to provide the wholesale facilities-based MVNO access service applies to the national wireless carriers in Canada, except,

    (a) with respect to Saskatchewan, where the obligation applies exclusively to SaskTel, and

    (b) with respect to the territories, where the obligation applies exclusively to Bell Mobility;

Whereas subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act (the “Act”) provides that, within one year after a decision by the Commission, the Governor in Council may, on petition in writing presented to the Governor in Council within 90 days after the decision, or on the Governor in Council’s own motion, by order, vary or rescind the decision or refer it back to the Commission for reconsideration of all or a portion of it;

Whereas, on May 14, 2021, Data On Tap Inc., doing business under the name of dotmobile, presented to the Governor in Council a petition in writing requesting that the Governor in Council vary the decision;

Whereas, in accordance with subsection 12(4) of the Act, a notice of receipt of the petition was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, by the Minister of Industry on July 24, 2021, indicating where the petition and any submission made in response to it may be inspected and copies of them obtained;

Whereas, pursuant to section 13 of the Act, the Minister of Industry has provided the provinces with an opportunity to consult with the Minister;

Whereas the Governor in Council has considered the petition together with all of the information and advice received with respect to it;

Whereas the Governor in Council considers that the Commission’s decision is expected to provide consumers with greater choice in service offerings and continued downward pressure on mobile wireless prices;

Whereas the Governor in Council considers that the Commission’s decision appropriately balances investment incentives to build and upgrade networks, and sustainable competition and the availability of affordable mobile wireless prices for consumers;

And whereas the Governor in Council is prepared to take further action in the future to promote a competitive market if the desired effects are not achieved, including by expanding the MVNO access service to encourage service-based competition;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Industry, pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act, declines to vary or rescind Telecom Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2021-130, or refer it back to the Commission.

Law and Order Situation in Jammu and Kashmir

Jul 28, 2021 | Business

The number of terrorist incidents have reduced during 2020 by 59% as compared to 2019 and 32% upto June 2021 in comparison with corresponding period upto June, 2020.  Shops and business establishments, public transport, Government Offices, educational and health institutions, etc. are functioning normally in UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and has taken various measures, such as strengthening of security apparatus, strict enforcement of law against anti-national elements, intensified cordon and search operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the terrorist organisations. Security Forces also keep a close watch on persons who attempt to provide support to terrorists and initiate action against them.  The Government has also continuously encouraged   policies   to mainstream   the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy. Adequate strength of Forces are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for augmenting the Counter Insurgency grid, strengthening Internal Security and maintaining law & order.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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NDW/RK/PK/AY/DDD/

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Hong Kong – Gazettal of Rating (Exemption) Order 2021 and Revenue (Reduction of Business Registration Fees and Branch Registration Fees) Order 2021

Mar 3, 2021 | International

 

The Rating (Exemption) Order 2021 and the Revenue (Reduction of Business Registration Fees and Branch Registration Fees) Order 2021 will be gazetted on March 5. The two orders seek to implement one-off rates concessions and waiver of business registration fees proposed in the 2021-22 Budget given the current economic difficulties.
 
     The 2021-22 Budget has proposed to waive rates for four quarters of 2021-22. For domestic tenements, the concession ceiling is $1,500 per tenement per quarter for the first two quarters, and $1,000 per tenement per quarter for the remaining two quarters. The ceiling for non-domestic tenements is $5,000 per tenement per quarter for the first two quarters, and $2,000 per tenement per quarter for the remaining two quarters. The proposed rates concession will benefit about 3.38 million properties, leading to revenue forgone of about $15 billion.
 
     In addition, the Budget has proposed to waive the business registration fees and branch registration fees for 2021-22 to reduce the operating cost of business amidst the unfavourable economic circumstances. The proposed waiver will benefit 1.5 million business operators, with revenue forgone of $3 billion.
 
     The two orders will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on March 17.