CRTC rejects Every-Day Computers bid for TELUS network access

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission rejected Every-Day Computers Inc.'s bid for mandatory access to TELUS's mobile network, finding that technical readiness was not a substitute for an operating radio network and retail cellphone service.

In Telecom Decision CRTC 2026-163, Every-Day Computers Inc. – Application regarding barriers to mobile virtual network operator access service eligibility and TELUS Communications Inc.'s refusal to provide mandated service, issued July 7, 2026, the commission also found that TELUS's refusal to enter an agreement did not amount to unjust discrimination.

The ruling applied the eligibility requirements for facilities-based mobile virtual network operator access, a wholesale service intended to let regional wireless carriers expand while building their own networks.

Readiness did not satisfy the operating requirements

Every-Day Computers applied in January for confirmation of its eligibility and an order requiring TELUS to sign an agreement within 10 business days. It also challenged the proposed wholesale rate and sought arbitration if the parties could not agree.

The framework requires a regional carrier to hold qualifying spectrum, be registered as a wireless carrier, have its own public mobile network somewhere in Canada, including both radio access facilities and a core network, and actively provide mobile service commercially to retail customers.

Every-Day Computers pointed to its registration, spectrum licence, core network and assigned mobile network code. It argued that technical readiness should permit it to sign an access agreement before launching commercially. Without roaming access, it said, a service confined to the area around a single tower was not commercially viable.

The Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project supported that argument. It said the requirement to launch first created a structural obstacle for new regional entrants.

The commission accepted that Every-Day Computers was registered and held spectrum at the required tier 4 level. But the record did not demonstrate deployment of radio access facilities such as towers or antennas. A mobile network code was insufficient because full virtual operators without their own radio access networks could also obtain one.

Every-Day Computers also acknowledged that it was not then providing the relevant retail mobile services to customers. The commission therefore found two unmet eligibility requirements, despite the company's claimed readiness.

Wholesale access was tied to prior network investment

The commission explained that its policy was designed to support regional carriers that had already invested in networks and entered the retail market. Allowing commercial launch only after an access agreement would undermine the requirement to build and operate a network before using mandated access.

It also distinguished this service from roaming. Roaming lets a carrier's customers temporarily use another network when outside their home network's coverage. Facilities-based MVNO access permits continuing use of a host's radio network to offer service in areas where the regional carrier holds spectrum. Both require the carrier to own and operate its own network.

The mandated MVNO service does not supply every part of the business. The entrant remains responsible for obtaining its core network and other systems, including billing, customer care and devices.

Discrimination and disclosure requests rejected

Every-Day Computers alleged that TELUS had unjustly discriminated by withholding access, offering wholesale rates above its own brands' retail rates and refusing staff-assisted mediation.

The commission found no evidence that TELUS had treated the applicant differently from another entity. Because Every-Day Computers was ineligible, TELUS had no obligation to negotiate or sign an access agreement, participate in staff-assisted mediation or undertake final-offer arbitration over a rate.

The commission also denied a request for TELUS subscriber-contract data. It found the information would not assist the eligibility or discrimination analysis and that the request was outside the permitted procedure. It did not separately decide interim eligibility because the ruling resolved eligibility on a final basis.

Later costs and spectrum challenge

In a separate September 17 costs order, Telecom Order CRTC 2026-246, the commission awarded the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project $5,573.73 for its participation, payable by Rogers, TELUS and Bell Canada. It found the group's structured submissions contributed a distinct consumer perspective, although the underlying application had failed.

In its third-quarter 2026 regulatory disclosure, TELUS said it applied on October 5 to review and vary the finding that Every-Day Computers satisfied the spectrum requirement. TELUS said it did not expect that challenge to change the result because the other eligibility requirements had not been met. That expectation is TELUS's position; no disposition of the review request was identified in the later-source checks for this report.