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Companies don’t use the actual service of the large companies, just the delivery method, Kaplan-Myrth said.

These wholesale rates had originally been set by the large companies themselves and what the thought it cost. In 2016, Tribe said, the CRTC began reviewing those rates and quickly came to the conclusion they were too high to foster competition. Interim rates were set, which were in place until the August decision; in most cases, the rates set in August are the lowest yet.

No surprisingly, small-scale internet providers are heralding the CRTC decision. In many cases, because their costs are now lower, those savings are, at least in part, being returned to customers.

With TekSavvy, 58 per cent of its customers got a price reduction of $5 a month or more while another 16 per cent were graded to unlimited use. The average savings for customers was $4.15.

Execulink said “thousands” of customers have benefited, although the exact numbers will vary based on the customer’s individual plan.

At London’s Start.ca, costs savings will be at least $5 a month for many customers, while others will have increased speeds that as much as double, said CEO Peter Rocca. Those savings are expected to roll out to about 50,000 customers by the end of the month.

“You are going to have happier customers. You are more likely to retain your customers. It builds customer loyalty to know you are actually giving back. It feels like a fair relationship,” Tribe said.