“In the end, Bell always wins …” A critical analysis of concentration in Toronto's fibre-internet service market

Abstract

The following paper presents results of inductive analysis of the capital works undertakings of three fibre-based telecommunications services providers (TSPs) operating in Toronto, Canada between 2012 and 2022. The data was obtained via a freedom of information request submitted to the City of Toronto, and the results highlight the dominance of the market's incumbent-local-exchange carrier in project and linear length deployments. A comparative analysis of cumulative works is presented by the type of construction activity inclusive of overlapping projects. We draw on a range of legal and regulatory actions to assess and contextualize the TSP works represented in the data, and to advance a critical analysis of the capture of municipal public spaces in furthering federal objectives towards facilities-based competition. We conclude with policy recommendations premised on prospective disclosure of extant capital works data.