By Lisa Schick

Access Communications, SaskTel explain impact of CRTC decision

Mar 21, 2015 | 8:02 AM

TV-watchers will have more choice on what to see, but it could take a while to happen.
 
On Thursday the CRTC revealed new regulations which will have cable companies providing a “skinny” basic cable package for $25 by the end of March 2016, and provide either individual channels or small theme packages by the end of 2016. 
 
Both of the biggest cable providers in Saskatchewan, Access Communications and Sasktel, said they were happy with the new rules for the most part, but each had a different reason to be disappointed.
 
Jim Deane with Access Communications said the change is good for consumers.
 
“(Customers have) been looking for an opportunity to pay for what they want to watch, rather than having to pay for services that they don’t want to watch.”
 
Deane said the the changes removed some regulatory and wholesale barriers that stopped them from offering some things that customers wanted.
 
But Deane said the company was disappointed that it wasn’t granted an exemption order for some things, larger, and for-profit companies have to do, such as contributing to a local improvement fund.
 
Access Communications’ basic cable package right now is $45.95 with 33 channels.
 
Customers will be able to either keep the package they have now, or change when the new ones are available. Deane said the company doesn’t expect much demand for the new $25 basic package. He said Access has no plans to raise the price in internet service or cut jobs as a result of this decision.
 
Sasktel’s John Meldrum also said the company is happy the CRTC is supporting consumer choice, but said the company isn’t thrilled with the mandate for the $25 basic package or that their rates are being regulated for the first time.
 
“We can’t provide what’s necessary to get the Max service into somebody’s house for $25 a month. That is below cost.”
 
Meldrum outlined what the basic package would look like. It would include CBC English and French, Global, CTV, the educational broadcaster, Saskatchewan legislature, a number of french channels, APTN, and C-PAC, but no TSN or the U.S. four-plus-one channels.
 
As with Access Communications, Meldrum said Sasktel customers won’t have to move from their current package if they don’t want to.
 
“They’ll have to try and figure out, I guess, whether they can actually save money, or whether it’s worth dropping channels.” 
 
The CRTC changes say cable companies will be able to offer individual channels or small theme packages. Sasktel already offers small theme packages, plus some individual channels like BBC Canada, Nickelodeon, and MuchLoud. The company said it’s doing some reviewing and doesn’t yet know if it will stick with the current system, or make changes like making more individual channels available.
 
After the announcement there was some speculation that the cost of internet service would rise, but Meldrum said if their high-speed service price rises, it won’t be because of the decision.
 
“The high-speed market will go where the high-speed market goes. It won’t change just simply because something’s happening with pick-and-pay.”
 
Sasktel’s basic cable package right now is $57.95 with 48 standard definition channels, and 22 high definition channels.

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