Industry committee  Yes, there is a common vision. The vision is clear, which is to bring an acceptable standard of service to all Canadians. In terms of coordination, I can speak only to the role of the CRTC. As I indicated, we work closely with government, as closely as we can given that we are quasi-judicial and operate at arm's length from government.

Industry committee  The five projects I referred to were the first projects awarded funding by the commission's broadband fund. In response to the second call, which was for all of Canada, we have received almost 600 applications from all regions of the country. They add up to a total of $1.5 billion.

Industry committee  It's a good question. All questions are good; that's a particularly difficult question. That's the challenge. First, I have to say that our broadband projects are targeted at areas where it's uneconomic and where there isn't a business case. Carriers or service providers need to have financial support to reach that objective of providing an appropriate level of service.

Industry committee  Thank you, Madam Chair.

Industry committee  Thank you very much [Technical difficulty--Editor] difference between the CRTC's fund and others. Unlike most government funds, which are part of the budget and are fundamentally based on taxpayers' contributions, this is a CRTC-administered fund, and the monies come from the industry, not directly from taxpayers.

Industry committee  As I said a minute ago, on matters that are in front of us, I'm very limited in what I am able to say. As you pointed out in your question, we held a hearing earlier this year. We are doing a major and fundamental review of wireless. It does examine the state of competition and market power.

Industry committee  Generally speaking I would say that competition is the best way, not regulation. I think that members will probably know that cellular mobile rates have never been subject to retail rate regulation since they were introduced in the 1980s. There was always a degree of competition.

Industry committee  I cannot speak directly to matters that are currently in front of the commission. As members are aware, any commission decision can be appealed to the courts on questions of law or jurisdiction, and they can petition government in relation to policy concerns; the Telecommunications Act provides for that.

Industry committee  I don't mean to be unhelpful, but we don't predict or signal exactly when a decision would be released. The record is complete in that proceeding. Staff is completing its analysis. Then members at a commission meeting will make a collective decision. We are well aware of the significance of the file.

Industry committee  This is a very fundamental decision. We receive many requests to review and vary decisions. Sometimes they are, if you will, larger and more important, more fundamental proceedings, but often it can be on more technical, narrow matters. We take all such applications and treat all of them similarly.

Industry committee  With the target, it's not so much the latter point; it's not a question of the $100 million being a target. That was what would be available in year one. As to what's available, we set aside, if you will, or identify an amount that could be dedicated to satellite-dependent areas, predominately in the north.

Industry committee  I was a little intimidated by your introduction, Madam Chair. As a former soccer player, getting a yellow and a red card flashed in front of me made me very nervous. Thank you, Madam Chair, for inviting us to appear before your committee. As you indicated, I'm joined by two of my colleagues.

Industry committee  I would add very briefly that we also, collectively, need to do a better job to prepare consumers to defend themselves, to educate consumers. You shouldn't be pressed to respond instantly. You should think carefully about why someone is asking you to respond or give your data instantly, and then think about other ways of going back to your bank or whomever to verify.

Industry committee  I will give you some frightening numbers. The U.S. follows this closely—there are a number of commercial firms. There were 100 billion calls in the last two years. For February of this year, the latest data says that 4.8 billion calls were placed in the United States. Of those, 43% were fraudulent.

Industry committee  I receive them and my mother receives them. I have my own special complainant whom I have to pay special attention to. As I mentioned earlier, the carriers have every incentive to work with us and for themselves in their own self-interest to solve this problem. They don't want unhappy customers.