Canadian regulatory authority the CRTC hasn't exactly been a friend to Canada's smaller, independent ISPs over the last few years. As such, it's interesting to see users in our Canadian forums direct our attention to the fact that the CRTC has ruled in favor of small operators, and is forcing larger carriers to offer wholesale access to services at the same speeds they themselves offer. As the CBC notes, the ruling reinforces a 2008 ruling Canada's incumbents had been lobbying to derail. Popular independent Candian ISP TekSavvy issued this statement (pdf):Like here in the States, smaller independent ISPs weren't being allowed access to faster fiber-based networks, meaning they had to offer slower service via DSL. Now, carriers are being told to share their networks at a 10% markup over cost. Here in the States incumbent carriers have lobbied and threatened regulators away from the concept, but studies have shown that countries with "open access" regulatory policies do ultimately see more competition -- and as a result, lower prices. Of course the CRTC still has to enforce this policy.