Telus also pushed for change in its submission. "Dynamic competitive forces drive today's telecommunication market yet the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission . . . is bound by objectives that trace their origins to the monopoly-based telecommunications market of yesteryear," Telus said.

They believe regulatory oversight is still required in the local phone market, which is dominated by BCE, Telus and other incumbent phone companies. In the past year, Rogers and Shaw have both entered the local phone market.

There is also the question of the CRTC's structure. BCE would like to see a model where the CRTC would deal with social and technical matters, while competition-related matters would be handled by the competition authorities. According to a CRTC press release, the two bodies agreed on a division of responsibilities in 1999.

One issue the two sides appear to have more in common is the question of whether foreign ownership restrictions should be lifted for telecom companies. However, the panel is not expected to focus heavily on that topic since it was not given a high priority in its mandate, a source said last week.

One topic that is expected to be high on the panel's list is high-speed Internet access for remote communities because the so-called digital divide is still an issue. While urban centres have good access to broadband service, it's very costly for cable and phone companies to expand their land-line networks over large rural areas with few residents.

Some parties noted in their submissions that wireless and satellite technologies will help bring broadband to more rural residents. However, BCE and others said government incentives may be required to help them reach all Canadians. The panel is expected to recommend some incentives, a source said last week.

The telecom industry could also get a boost if the panel supports methods to boost the investments companies make in new equipment and technologies. BCE believes greater investments and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) will help narrow the productivity gap with the United States. The panel is expected to recommend incentives for businesses to invest in ICT, a source said last week.

Gerri Sinclair, an industry veteran whose résumé includes a stint as general manager for Microsoft Network Canada; Hank Intven, a partner and telecom specialist with law firm McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto; and André Tremblay, the former CEO of Microcell Telecommunications Inc.

Regulations: A more market-oriented approach. That means looser regulations on companies that want to change their prices or bundling packages, or offer new services. Most companies and analysts say that would mean more choice and lower prices. But critics say it would make it harder for the little guys to challenge the big guys, like BCE Inc. and Telus Corp.

Digital divide: Urban Canada has plenty of access to high-speed Internet, but it's a big problem in rural areas and the panel will offer remedies. Everyone likes the idea of greater access. The only obstacle is the size of the bill and who picks it up.

Investments: The industry needs to find ways to encourage business -- and government -- to invest more in the latest, most efficient equipment. It would be good for the economy and the country's technological literacy.

An elimination of foreign ownership restrictions in the sector. The panel says the thorny subject wasn't in their mandate, so they will only touch on it.

This is cache, read story here