CRTC Overhauls Telecom Data Rules to Empower Canadian Consumers

GATINEAU, QC – January 15, 2026 – In a significant move aimed at demystifying Canada's complex telecommunications market, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced a pair of initiatives designed to give consumers unprecedented insight into their internet and cellphone service options.

The federal regulator has approved the public release of more detailed service data and is launching a public consultation to overhaul how mobile coverage is measured and reported. These actions directly address long-standing consumer frustrations over service availability and are poised to reshape the competitive landscape for providers.

A New Lens on Connectivity: Empowering the Consumer

For years, Canadians have navigated a maze of service plans and coverage maps, often struggling to make informed decisions. Today's decision promises to bring much-needed clarity. The CRTC has approved a request, initially brought forward by the British Columbia Ministry of Citizens' Services, to publicly disclose granular data from service providers. This information, which was previously treated as confidential, will now be available for use on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's (ISED) National Broadband Map.

Canadians will soon be able to access details at a hyper-local level—down to a 250-meter road segment—revealing which providers offer service, the specific technology they use (such as fibre or 5G), and the advertised speeds available. This level of detail is a game-changer for households and businesses trying to compare options accurately.

The move is a direct response to persistent consumer complaints and advocacy. Groups like the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and OpenMedia have long highlighted the challenges consumers face, from confusing plan information and unexpected billing errors to a lack of awareness about recourse mechanisms like the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS). By making provider data transparent, the CRTC is essentially creating a more level playing field where consumers can hold providers accountable for their advertised services.

This enhanced transparency is expected to do more than just help individual consumers; it's designed to foster greater competition. When service offerings are clearly laid out for all to see, it puts pressure on providers to improve services and offer more competitive pricing to attract and retain customers.

Mapping the Digital Divide with Precision

Beyond empowering individual choice, the CRTC's actions are a critical step toward closing Canada's persistent digital divide. The accuracy of the National Broadband Map has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it often fails to reflect the on-the-ground reality, particularly in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Previous data collection methods could lead to inaccuracies, marking areas as 'served' when reliable, high-speed internet was not actually available.

The BC Ministry of Citizens' Services' application highlighted this very issue, arguing that better data is essential for effective connectivity planning, reducing redundant efforts, and improving network resiliency during emergencies. With more precise data, federal and provincial governments can better identify true service gaps and direct infrastructure funding, like that from the Universal Broadband Fund, to the communities that need it most.

Complementing the release of internet data, the CRTC is also tackling the thorny issue of mobile coverage. The regulator has launched a public consultation (Telecom Notice of Consultation 2026-9) to establish a new, standardized approach for collecting and reporting on where cellphone services are available. This initiative seeks to reconcile the official statistic that 99.5% of Canadians have mobile access with the widespread public perception of significant coverage gaps, dropped calls, and dead zones.

By developing an evidence-based methodology, the CRTC aims to create a more accurate picture of mobile service reliability that reflects the real-world experiences of Canadians. This will not only help consumers but also provide crucial information for public safety organizations and governments working to ensure seamless connectivity across the country.

A Shifting Landscape for Telecom Providers

The CRTC's push for transparency will undoubtedly have a major impact on Canada's telecommunications giants. While no immediate responses have been issued, past reactions to regulatory shifts offer a glimpse into the potential industry reception. Increased data disclosure and new reporting standards mean a greater administrative burden and heightened public scrutiny.

Some industry players may echo concerns voiced during previous regulatory debates, such as those over wholesale fibre internet access. Major providers like Bell and Rogers have historically warned that stringent regulations can stifle capital investment in network expansion. They may argue that these new transparency requirements could create competitive disadvantages or divert resources from infrastructure build-out.

Conversely, other providers might see opportunity. Telus, for example, has previously supported measures that foster competition, and this new era of transparency could allow providers with superior networks to more effectively market their advantages. The detailed data will make it harder for any provider to rely on vague marketing claims, forcing them to compete on the actual quality and reach of their service.

Ultimately, this move aligns with a broader regulatory trend toward holding essential service providers to a higher standard of accountability. The industry will now be expected to adapt to a new reality where network performance and availability are no longer shielded from public view.

A Broader Push for Consumer Protection

Today's announcements are key components of the CRTC's wider Consumer Protections Action Plan, a multi-faceted strategy to strengthen the rights of Canadian telecom and broadcasting customers. This plan includes a range of other ongoing initiatives, such as creating rules to prevent bill shock when promotional periods end, simplifying the various consumer codes into a single, easy-to-understand document, and improving public awareness of the CCTS.

The regulator is also focused on network reliability, having recently introduced rules requiring providers to report major outages within two hours and exploring potential consumer compensation during service disruptions. These efforts, combined with the new data transparency measures, signal a concerted effort to rebalance the relationship between consumers and their service providers.

The CRTC is inviting Canadians to participate in the public consultation on mobile coverage reporting. Comments will be accepted until March 16, 2026, through an online form, by mail, or by fax. The feedback gathered will form a critical part of the public record and directly inform the CRTC's final decision on a new reporting standard. As the consultation period opens, the focus now shifts to how these new standards and data disclosures will reshape Canada's digital landscape for years to come.