Canada’s federal cabinet has decided to leave intact a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission framework that requires large telecom companies to sell wholesale access to their fibre-to-the-home networks. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the ruling, confirmed late Wednesday, will “immediately allow for more competition on existing networks.” Bell Canada, which has spent billions wiring roughly eight million homes, warned it will let its domestic fibre footprint “plateau” and maintain a previously announced cut of about C$500 million in capital spending this year. Chief Executive Mirko Bibic argued that obliging incumbents to lease new lines to rivals discourages further investment. Telus welcomed the decision and said the policy will let it extend services outside its home market, after already launching fibre plans in Ontario and Quebec using Bell infrastructure. Rogers Communications, Cogeco and Eastlink criticised Ottawa’s move and are pursuing a Federal Court appeal, saying mandated access will curb network building and jobs. Under the CRTC rules, newly built fibre lines remain exclusive to their owners for five years before wholesale obligations begin. The commission contends the model balances incentives to invest with the need for lower prices and greater consumer choice.