The CRTC ruled that companies installing telecommunications infrastructure on public property are liable for some minor initial costs of installation, but are not responsible for significant on-going costs. Initial costs of installation are only 10-20 per cent of the total cost of digging up our streets to lay cable. It does not presently allow for the cost of repairing roads whose life has been shortened by 30 per cent by telecommunication construction. The City of Vancouver supports allowing telecommunication companies access to public property. The City also supports the federal government's goal of connectivity across Canada.
Municipalities can play an important role in facilitating that connectivity.
However, unless municipalities can control access to increasingly scarce street space, and can appropriately price the use of municipal land, this connectivity is being achieved on the backs of local taxpayers. This environment undermines the goal of connectivity and cooperation. Today's CRTC decision complicates the issue even further. It is expected the City of Vancouver will work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other Canadian municipalities on an appeal of the CRTC decision. The City of Vancouver formally applied to the CRTC almost two years ago.