On February 15, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) and Statistics Canada launched the 2024 Annual Telecommunications Survey (the “Survey”). The Survey collects important information about the revenues, operations, and ownership of companies providing telecommunications or broadcast services to Canadians. The collected data is then used to determine which telecommunications service providers (“TSPs”) must contribute to Canada’s Revenue-based Contribution Regime, and influence other Canadian telecom regulatory policies. All TSPs offering telecommunications services in Canada must participate in the Survey by completing and filing with the CRTC the forms that have been assigned to them. Form REP-T/T1 is due March 1, while the remaining forms — REP-U, Form 802a, and Form 802j — are due March 31.
Who Must File?
Pursuant to Telecom Circular CRTC 2005-4, a TSP offering telecommunications services in Canada must participate in the Survey if it meets any of the following criteria:
- It has significant Canadian telecommunications revenues;
- It files a CRTC telecommunications tariff;
- It holds a basic international telecommunications license issued by the CRTC; or
- It is in a related group that has total telecommunications revenues in excess of CAD $10 million.
Canada’s Telecommunications Act defines telecommunications services to include not only voice telephone services, but also text messaging and Internet services (including private line services).
Smaller TSPs that do not meet any of the above requirements, including those that are not authorized to carry any international traffic, must file a simplified form.
What Data Is Collected?
The Survey requires TSPs to provide data for the prior calendar year on their revenues, types of telecommunications service provided, and ownership information. Requested data includes, but is not limited to:
- Total operating revenues;
- Canadian telecommunications revenues;
- Ownership changes;
- Types of telecommunications services offered (local exchange, local VoIP, long distance, Internet, etc.)
- Whether the company owned any telecom equipment or facilities; and
- Whether the company provided any broadcast services.
The CommLaw Group and The Commpliance Group Can Help!
If you are not presently engaged with one of our consultants or counsel and require assistance with your regulatory obligations, our affiliated consulting firm, The Commpliance Group, can file the required forms for your company each year. If you want to learn more or subscribe to this annual filing service, please contact Karen Hyde at kmh@commpliancegroup.com. If you have legal questions about your company’s Canadian regulatory obligations, please contact Michal J. Nowicki, Esq., at mjn@commlawgroup.com.
