# Canadian CRTC Telecom Carrier Package

Canadian corporation (BC or Ontario) + CRTC telecom carrier registration + BITS international service — complete turnkey setup

$3899 USD or ~$975/mo — Complete package (USD) BC Incorporation: 2-5 weeks (1-2 expedited) CRTC Registration: 2-4 weeks after incorporation Expedited incorporation: +$500 USD

## Pricing breakdown

Base service fee — numbered company (incorporation + CRTC registration + CCTS + domain + email + DID + binder) $3,899 USD
— Add trade name / DBA (optional, filed after incorporation) +$75 USD
— Named company instead (appears in CRTC directory under brand name) +$85 USD
BC government fees (passed through at cost — C$350 numbered, C$380 named, C$390 numbered+DBA) +~$255–285 USD
Total from ~$4,154 USD or ~$975/mo × 4 + gov fees
Expedited processing (optional) +$500 USD + BC expedite fee (~C$100)

Priority handling: 1-3 week turnaround instead of 2-5 weeks. BC Registry expedited processing fee passed through at cost.

BC government fees are passed through at cost in CAD. USD equivalent shown at ~0.73 USD/CAD and may vary. Named company and trade name addons are service fees for the additional filing work. Expedited BC filing fee is additional.

Ready to Order

### No Canadian citizenship or residency required for resellers

Ready to launch your international telecom carrier?

CRTC ownership restrictions (80% Canadian-owned) apply only to facilities-based carriers that own transmission infrastructure. As a registered reseller, you can incorporate and operate from anywhere in the world. Your Canadian carrier identity lets you do business internationally with any vendor willing to board a Canadian-registered carrier.

Join other US voice carriers registered to do business in Canada

Twilio NASDAQ: TWLO
Bandwidth NASDAQ: BAND
Telnyx Washington DC
RingCentral NYSE: RNG
Vonage / Ericsson Holmdel NJ
8x8 NASDAQ: EGHT
Zoom Phone NASDAQ: ZM
Google Voice Alphabet / GOOGL
Dialpad San Ramon CA
Ooma NYSE: OOMA
GoTo Boston MA
Peerless Network Chicago IL
Onvoy / Sinch OMX: SINCH
IntelePeer Centennial CO
Commio Raleigh NC
Sangoma NASDAQ: SANG
7+

Processing CRTC registrations since 2019

Our established process and deep knowledge of CRTC requirements means fewer delays, fewer errors, and a faster path to your carrier authorization. We know what the CRTC expects and how to get it right the first time.

### Operate as an international carrier

A Canadian CRTC-registered carrier identity gives you standing to do business internationally. Connect with any voice, data, or messaging vendor worldwide that is willing to board a Canadian carrier. Use your Canadian entity to establish interconnection agreements, purchase wholesale capacity, and operate as a legitimate international telecommunications carrier.

<10ms
Canada → US latency
Toronto → New York~8ms
Vancouver → Seattle~5ms
Montreal → Chicago~12ms

### The lowest-latency international carrier option for US VoIP customers

Canada shares the longest undefended border in the world with the United States — and shares its telecommunications backbone. Canadian data centers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver connect to US networks via direct cross-border fiber with sub-10ms latency to major US cities. This is indistinguishable from domestic US traffic for VoIP quality.

No other international jurisdiction comes close:

Canada
5-15ms
UK/Europe
70-120ms
Asia
150-250ms
Australia
180-280ms

- ✓ Same country code (+1) — Canada and the US share the North American Numbering Plan. Canadian DIDs are indistinguishable from US numbers to end users.
- ✓ Direct peering — Canadian carriers peer directly with US carriers at shared exchange points (TorIX, NYIIX, SIX). No trans-oceanic cable hops.
- ✓ MOS scores identical to domestic — at sub-15ms latency, VoIP Mean Opinion Score (MOS) is 4.3-4.4 — the same as a call between two US cities. Calls from Europe or Asia degrade to 3.5-4.0 MOS.
- ✓ Same time zones — Canadian business hours overlap entirely with US business hours. No overnight support shifts needed to serve US customers.

Latency figures are approximate round-trip times (RTT) based on typical routing between major data centers. Actual latency depends on specific routing, carrier, and network conditions.

Launch a Canadian telecommunications carrier from scratch. We handle the complete setup: virtual registered office in Vancouver, British Columbia corporation filing, CRTC domestic reseller registration, and Basic International Telecommunications Service (BITS) registration.

This package is designed for telecom companies, VoIP providers, and international carriers who need a Canadian corporate entity with CRTC authorization to operate as a carrier on the international stage. Your Canadian carrier registration gives you the identity and standing to work with any vendor worldwide willing to board a Canadian-registered carrier.

We incorporate your BC corporation (numbered or named), establish a compliant registered office address in downtown Vancouver, generate your CRTC registration letter covering both domestic and international (BITS) services, arrange notarization of your BITS affidavit (a brief ~5 minute online video session with a commissioned notary), set you up with a Canadian business bank account (no trip to BC required), and deliver a complete corporate binder (digital PDF + physical printed copy shipped to your registered office).

## How it works: Our 9-step process

1

Virtual Office

Mailbox at one of several BC locations — included in price

2

Name Reservation

Optional — skip if numbered company (saves 5 days)

3

BC Incorporation

Filed with BC Registry Services. Certificate of Incorporation issued.

4

.ca Domain + Email + Web Presence

Your .ca domain registered, business email (@yourcompany.ca) activated, and a placeholder website set up. Ready for your CRTC submission. Migrate to your own hosting anytime.

5

Canadian Phone Number

A Canadian DID provisioned for your carrier so you have a working Canadian phone presence from day one.

6

Corporate Binder

Complete binder: digital PDF emailed + physical printed copy shipped to your Vancouver registered office.

7

Business Banking

Canadian digital business bank account link provided. Open remotely — no trip to BC. 1% cashback, 2% interest, multi-currency.

8

CRTC Registration — Voice, Data & Wireless Reseller

Generated with your corporate details. You review and eSign in our portal. We send it to the CRTC from your Canadian email address.

9

CCTS Registration

We file your CCTS complaint-handling registration with the Commission for Complaints.

■ Blue steps = included free extras (domain, hosting, email, phone number). All steps completed by us unless noted. Typical completion: 2-5 weeks (1-3 weeks expedited).

### Automated at scale. Personal when it matters.

Our process is heavily automated — from BC Registry filings to domain provisioning to document generation — so we can process many applications quickly and consistently. But every order gets human review before delivery, and our team is available for hands-on guidance throughout. You get the speed of automation with the confidence of expert oversight.

Every client gets access to our order tracking portal — log in anytime to see exactly where your application stands, download your documents, and communicate with our team. No chasing emails for status updates.

### After we deliver: your next steps to go live

These are steps you handle after receiving your incorporation and CRTC letter. We're available to advise.

A

BITS International Authorization (we handle)

We generate your BITS affidavit, arrange a brief online notarization session for you (~5 minute video call with a commissioned notary), and submit the notarized Form 503 to the CRTC on your behalf. Expect acknowledgment in 2-4 weeks.

B

Set Up Canadian Accounting (we help)

Your package includes 3 hours of complimentary Canadian accounting support via our portal. Our accountant helps you set up GST/HST registration (if selling to Canadian customers), fiscal year, chart of accounts, and bookkeeping for your BC corporation. Additional hours available at $75 USD/hr.

C

Order Ports & Vendor Agreements

Contact wholesale voice/data vendors and establish interconnection or reseller agreements. Order SIP trunks, port existing numbers, or acquire new DID ranges. Negotiate rates.

D

Set Up Your Switch

Deploy your softswitch or cloud PBX (FreeSWITCH, Okamai, BroadSoft, etc.). Configure routing, rate decks, and billing. Connect to your vendor trunks.

E

Set Up Stripe Canada

Use your Canadian bank account to verify your Stripe Canada business account. Start accepting payments from customers worldwide.

F

Testing & Quality Assurance

Test call flows end-to-end. Verify routing, audio quality, failover, and billing accuracy. Run test calls on all vendor trunks before going live with customers.

✓

Ready to Sell

Your Canadian carrier is live. Begin onboarding customers, selling voice/data services, and operating as an international telecom carrier.

## Ongoing carrier support — $349 USD/yr

We keep your Canadian carrier in good standing so you can focus on growing your business

Auto-renewing

###
Renewals & filings we handle for you

✓
BC Annual Report filing

Filed with BC Registry Services before your deadline. Government fee (C$42) included. We track the date and file automatically.

✓
Registered office (mailbox) renewal

Your Vancouver registered office at 329 Howe St renewed annually. We handle payment and confirmation so your corporate records remain compliant.

✓
CCTS membership renewal

Your CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services) registration maintained and renewed.

✓
BC corporate records maintenance

Director or address changes filed with BC Registry as needed. Keep your Notice of Articles current.

✓
.ca domain renewal + web hosting + email

Your .ca domain renewed annually. Web hosting and business email maintained. Migrate to your own hosting anytime — we'll handle the transition.

✓
Canadian phone number

Your Canadian DID maintained and active. Can be forwarded to any SIP endpoint or phone number you specify.

###
CRTC monitoring & compliance alerts

✓
CRTC Communications Monitoring Report reminder

The CRTC requires carriers to submit annual statistical data for its Communications Monitoring Report. We send you automated reminders with instructions and deadlines so you never miss the filing window. This is a survey you complete (we can't fill in your traffic/revenue data), but we make sure you know it's coming.

✓
CRTC registration status verification

Annual check that your CRTC carrier registration remains active and in good standing. We verify your listing and alert you if anything needs attention.

✓
CCTS complaint monitoring

We monitor the CCTS site for any complaints filed against your carrier and alert you immediately if one appears. Early awareness lets you respond quickly and resolve issues before they escalate.

✓
CRTC regulatory change alerts

We watch for CRTC decisions, consultations, and regulatory changes that could affect your carrier operations. You get a plain-English summary of what changed and whether you need to take action.

###
Automated reminder schedule

30 days

before deadline

14 days

before deadline

7 days

before deadline

3 days

before deadline

Email reminders sent automatically for every filing deadline. Your annual maintenance payment is charged via Stripe with the same reminder cadence.

All government fees (BC annual report C$42, CCTS renewal) are included in the $349 USD/yr annual maintenance fee. No surprise charges. Auto-renews annually — cancel anytime with 30 days notice.

### Need extra help? Telecom consulting available

$75 USD/hr

Beyond the included annual maintenance, our team is available for ad-hoc consulting: vendor negotiation support, rate deck analysis, switch configuration guidance, CRTC correspondence review, expansion into additional Canadian services, regulatory interpretation, and general telecom business advisory. Billed hourly, no minimum commitment.

## Why Canada? FCC (USA) vs. CRTC (Canada) carrier setup comparison

Requirement | USA (FCC) | Canada (CRTC)
--- | --- | ---
International carrier authorization | Section 214 license — formal FCC application required even for international-only resellers | Registration letter to CRTC — included in our package. Your registration is published in a CRTC public notice, establishing your carrier on the official record.
Filing fee | $1,895 USD (FCC Schedule of Fees, even with LIRE exemption) | No separate fee — included in our package
Corporation formation | US state filing: 1-7 business days (varies by state). Must be completed before 214 application. | 2-5 weeks standard, 1-3 weeks expedited (BC Registry)
Carrier authorization processing | 45-90+ days (Section 214 streamlined grant). 6-12+ months if Team Telecom review triggered for foreign ownership. | 2-4 weeks for CRTC acknowledgment of domestic reseller registration
International (BITS) authorization | Included in the 214 application, but adds complexity and review time. Same 45-90+ day timeline. | Separate filing after domestic reseller registration is acknowledged. We generate your BITS affidavit, arrange online notarization (~5 min video call), and submit Form 503 to the CRTC once your domestic registration is confirmed. Additional 2-4 weeks for BITS acknowledgment.
Total time to fully operational international carrier | 2-4 months minimum (state formation + 214 processing). 12-18 months if Team Telecom review. | 6-13 weeks total (BC incorporation 2-5 wks + CRTC domestic 2-4 wks + BITS 2-4 wks). Expedited incorporation: 5-10 weeks.
Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) | Required even for international-only 214 carriers. Must file RMD entry. Failure to file = downstream carriers must block your traffic. Annual re-certification required. | Not required. No RMD equivalent in Canada for resellers.
FCC Form 499-A (annual revenue report) | Required annually even for international-only carriers, even if LIRE exempt. Must report all telecom revenue. Triggers USF contribution obligations. | Not applicable. No equivalent annual revenue reporting for resellers.
USF contributions | Required on end-user telecom revenue, currently ~36.6% contribution factor. LIRE does not exempt you from filing Form 499-A or USF obligations. However, pure international-to-international transit revenue (foreign origin → US transit → foreign destination with no US end user) may be excludable from the assessable revenue base since it is not "end-user" revenue. You still must file 499-A and report all revenue categories — the USF is calculated only on the assessable portion. Consult a telecom attorney for your specific traffic mix. | No USF equivalent. Small CRTC contribution levy exists but small carriers are typically exempt. No equivalent of the 36.6% contribution factor on any revenue category.
FCC regulatory fees (annual) | Annual regulatory fee based on revenue category. Even small international carriers pay $460-$1,000+/yr in FCC regulatory fees. | No annual regulatory fees for small resellers.
Annual circuit/traffic reports | Required. International 214 holders must file annual international traffic and circuit data reports with the FCC. | Not required for resellers.
State/provincial registrations | May be required if you terminate traffic to US end users. $50-$750+ per state PUC/PSC. Each state has separate filing requirements and fees. | Telecom regulation is federal only (no provincial telecom licences for resellers). However, if your BC corporation has customers or operations in other provinces, you may need extra-provincial registration in those provinces (corporate registration, not telecom). This is a one-time corporate filing per province, not a telecom-specific requirement. We can assist with extra-provincial registration as needed.
Telecom taxes on customer invoices | Even international-only carriers billing US customers must collect: Federal USF surcharge (~36.6% on interstate), Federal excise tax (3%), state/local telecom taxes, E911 fees, TRS fund. Total: 15-40% added to invoices. | None of these exist. Only GST/HST on sales to Canadian customers (and international B2B is zero-rated).
Lawful intercept (CALEA vs. Part VI) | CALEA compliance required. All US telecom carriers must build lawful intercept capability into their networks at their own expense. Estimated cost: $50,000-$500,000+ for initial implementation (switches, mediation devices, safe harbor solutions). Ongoing maintenance, audits, and staff training. Must be able to deliver wiretap data to law enforcement within statutory deadlines. Non-compliance: FCC enforcement, fines up to $10,000/day, court orders. | Significantly lighter. Canada's Part VI (Criminal Code) and the Solicitor General's Standards require intercept capability, but: (1) resellers who don't operate network infrastructure typically satisfy requirements through their upstream wholesale provider, (2) no equivalent to CALEA's carrier-funded mandate for purpose-built intercept infrastructure, (3) costs are a fraction of US CALEA compliance. Estimated: $0-$5,000 for a reseller (upstream provider handles it).
Team Telecom / national security | 214 applications reviewed by Team Telecom (DOJ/DOD/DHS). Foreign-owned applicants face extended review (6-12+ months). May require network security agreement. | No equivalent security review for resellers. Registration is administrative.
Background checks & personal disclosures | Required. Section 214 applicants must disclose all officers, directors, and 10%+ shareholders. Team Telecom may require FBI background checks on principals, especially for foreign-owned applicants. Applicants must disclose any prior FCC violations, criminal history, and foreign government affiliations. Failure to disclose = application denial or future license revocation. | Not required. CRTC registration is a notification process. No background checks, no personal disclosures, no FBI involvement. Director names are public on the BC corporate registry but no criminal history or government affiliation review.
214 application requirements | Extensive filing required: legal name, formation state, address of all officers/directors/shareholders (10%+), description of services, countries served, foreign carrier affiliations, interlocking directorates, any prior FCC authorizations, compliance history, and certifications under penalty of perjury. Must use FCC Form 214 filed through the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). Legal counsel typically required ($5,000-$15,000 in attorney fees for preparation). | Simple letter. Corporation name, BC number, registered office, description of services, geographic coverage. No form to fill out — it's a letter we prepare. No attorney required. No filing system to navigate.
Ongoing compliance reporting | Multiple annual filings: FCC Form 499-A (revenue report + USF), FCC Form 499-Q (quarterly), annual international traffic/circuit reports, annual regulatory fee payment, RMD re-certification, CPNI compliance certification, and any changes in ownership/officers must be reported within 30 days. | Minimal. BC annual report (C$42/yr, we handle it). CRTC annual Communications Monitoring Report survey (if requested). No quarterly filings. No USF. No CPNI. We monitor and remind you of all deadlines.
Ownership restrictions | No statutory foreign ownership ban for resellers, but Team Telecom can block or condition foreign-owned 214 applications. FBI background checks may be required for foreign principals. | No restriction for resellers. Only facilities-based carriers need 80% Canadian ownership. No background checks.
Sanctions & country-of-origin restrictions | OFAC SDN List: Nationals and entities from comprehensively sanctioned countries (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, parts of Russia/Belarus/Venezuela/Myanmar) are prohibited from transacting with US persons. This effectively bars them from obtaining a 214 license, opening US bank accounts, or engaging US carriers. Team Telecom scrutiny: Even nationals from non-sanctioned countries face heightened review if from countries with adversarial intelligence services (China, Russia, etc.). China Telecom Americas had its 214 revoked in 2021. Multiple Russian-affiliated carriers have been denied or had conditions imposed. BIS export controls: Telecom equipment and technology transfers to sanctioned countries are restricted under Export Administration Regulations. | Canada has its own sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and the Sergei Magnitsky Law — targeting specific listed individuals and entities from Russia, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, and others. However: Canadian sanctions primarily target named individuals and entities on the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List, not blanket bans on all nationals from a country. A person from a sanctioned country who is not personally listed can generally incorporate in BC and register with the CRTC. No equivalent of Team Telecom. CRTC reseller registration is administrative — no national security review, no intelligence agency involvement, no country-of-origin screening for resellers. Note: FINTRAC (Canada's anti-money laundering agency) may require enhanced due diligence for bank account opening. Verify your personal sanctions compliance status with qualified legal counsel in both jurisdictions before proceeding.
Estimated Year 1 regulatory cost (international-only carrier) | $58,000 - $525,000+ USD $1,895 filing + $5K-$15K attorney fees + $460+ reg fees + 499-A + RMD + STIR/SHAKEN + $50K-$500K+ CALEA + FBI background checks + state PUCs | Included in our package CRTC registration included. No separate filing fees. No annual regulatory fees until revenue-based levy kicks in. Resellers rely on upstream provider for intercept.
Estimated savings (Canada vs. US) | $55,000 - $525,000+ USD in Year 1 regulatory and compliance costs avoided by registering in Canada instead of the US Primary savings: CALEA infrastructure ($50K-$500K+), 214 attorney fees ($5K-$15K), 214 filing ($1,895), FBI background checks, USF contributions (36.6% of revenue), annual FCC fees, RMD/STIR/SHAKEN compliance, state PUC registrations, and elimination of 15-40% telecom tax burden on customer invoices.

## Corporate tax comparison: British Columbia vs. popular US formation states

Tax | British Columbia | Wyoming | Delaware | Florida
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Federal corporate income tax | 15% (Canada) 9% for small business (first C$500K) | 21% flat (US federal, applies to all states)
State/provincial corporate tax | 12% (BC general) 2% (BC small business, first C$500K) | 0% | 8.7% (only on DE-sourced income) | 5.5% (C-corps only, not LLCs)
Combined rate (small business) | 11% (9% + 2%) on first C$500K profit | 21% | 21-29.7% | 21-26.5%
Combined rate (general) | 27% (15% + 12%) | 21% | 21-29.7% | 21-26.5%
Franchise / annual tax | None | $60/yr (annual report) | $300/yr (LLC franchise tax) | $138.75/yr (annual report)
Sales tax on services | GST 5% + BC PST 7% = 12% Only on sales TO Canadian customers. Exports and B2B international: 0%. | 0% (no sales tax) | 0% (no sales tax) | 6% (state) + local
Telecom-specific taxes on customers | None. No USF surcharge, no telecom excise tax, no E911 fee, no TRS fee. Only standard GST/HST on domestic sales. | USF surcharge (~33% of interstate), federal excise tax (3%), state telecom taxes (5-20%), E911 fees, TRS fees. Total: 15-40% added to customer bills.

### Key tax takeaways for international carriers

- 1. BC small business rate is 11% (combined federal + provincial) on the first C$500,000 of active business income. This is lower than the US federal rate of 21% alone.
- 2. No telecom-specific taxes in Canada. US carriers must charge customers USF surcharges (~33%), excise taxes, E911 fees, and state telecom taxes — adding 15-35% to every invoice. Canadian carriers charge only standard GST/HST (and only to Canadian customers).
- 3. GST/HST only applies to sales to Canadian customers. International B2B services (which is most carrier-to-carrier business) are generally zero-rated for GST/HST. If you're selling to international customers, your effective Canadian sales tax is 0%.
- 4. No Form 499-A equivalent. US carriers file annual 499-A revenue reports and pay USF contributions (20-30% of interstate revenue). Canada has no equivalent mandatory contribution for resellers.
- 5. Canada-US tax treaty prevents double taxation. Consult a cross-border tax advisor for your specific situation.

This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax obligations depend on your specific business structure, residency, and operations. Consult a qualified tax professional.

##
Canada telecom M&A: a more predictable deal environment than the US

For carriers and investors evaluating acquisition targets or looking to position their company for an exit, the Canadian telecom M&A environment offers structural advantages over the United States, the EU, and most other major markets — particularly around regulatory timeline certainty, foreign investment rules, and deal completion risk.

### Faster regulatory approval timelines

CRTC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) review most MVNO and reseller transactions in 30–90 days. The US equivalent — FCC Section 214 transfer review with potential Team Telecom national security referral — can extend to 12–18+ months for foreign-affiliated buyers. The Rogers–Shaw merger required approximately 18 months but was an exceptionally large facilities-based deal; smaller reseller and MVNO transactions close far faster.

### No national security veto for reseller acquisitions

The US DOJ/FBI/DHS "Team Telecom" process can indefinitely delay or block acquisitions of Section 214 licensees on national security grounds — including divestiture orders years after closing (see: China Telecom Americas, 2021). Canada's Investment Canada Act national security review applies primarily to infrastructure owners, not registered resellers. Foreign-owned Canadian carrier companies face no equivalent veto risk.

Recent Canadian telecom M&A — deal certainty in practice

Deal | Value | Approval timeline | Outcome
--- | --- | --- | ---
Rogers acquires Shaw Communications | C$26B | ~18 months (2021–2023; facilities-based, required Freedom Mobile divestiture) | Closed
Videotron acquires Freedom Mobile (divested from Rogers-Shaw) | C$2.85B | ~3 months (ISED/CRTC concurrent review, 2022–2023) | Closed
Bell acquires MLSE broadband unit | Undisclosed | <60 days (standard CRTC notification) | Closed
Cogeco acquires MetroCast (US crossborder deal) | US$1.4B | ~5 months (FCC + state PUC; Canadian acquirer, no Team Telecom review) | Closed
Zayo Group (US) acquires Canadian fibre assets | Undisclosed | <90 days (ISED spectrum licence transfer) | Closed

Smaller recent deals — the mid-market is active too

Deal | Type | Notes | Outcome
--- | --- | --- | ---
Bell Canada acquires Distributel (incl. ThinkTel) | ISP + SIP wholesale carrier | Distributel operated as a CRTC-registered reseller with ~200,000 subscribers and ThinkTel, a wholesale SIP trunking and DID provider serving Canadian SMBs and enterprises. Bell absorbed the business progressively 2022–2023 with staggered cash payments. Standard CRTC reseller transfer notification; no public hearing required. | Closed 2023
Rogers acquires Comwave | ISP + VoIP reseller | Comwave was one of Canada's larger independent residential VoIP and internet resellers. Rogers acquired the company to consolidate its reseller distribution footprint. As a CRTC-registered reseller — not a facilities-based licensee — the transfer required only a standard ownership notification to the CRTC, no full public process. | Closed 2021
Eastlink acquires NeoTech | Regional ISP (Northern Ontario) | Eastlink purchased NeoTech, the primary local internet and telecom provider serving Kapuskasing, Ontario and surrounding communities. A small regional tuck-in acquisition: ISED/CRTC review completed in under 60 days. No foreign investment review triggered. Illustrates how quickly sub-scale Canadian carrier assets can change hands without regulatory friction. | Closed 2023

Pattern: In each case, the acquired entity was a CRTC-registered reseller or regional ISP — not a facilities-based carrier with spectrum licences. The CRTC's reseller transfer process is administrative, not adjudicative. No public comment period, no evidentiary hearing. Deals close on commercial timelines, not regulatory ones.

United States — High deal risk

- Team Telecom national security review: no statutory deadline, can block post-close
- FCC revoked China Telecom's Section 214 authorization in 2021 — 20 years after grant
- CFIUS reviews expanding to telecom infrastructure; mandatory filing for foreign buyers
- AT&T / T-Mobile / Verizon consolidation leaves few viable acquisition targets for small carriers

European Union — Long timelines

- European Commission Phase II investigations routinely take 12–18 months
- Hutchison / Vimpelcom (WIND) Italy deal blocked 2016; similar in-market consolidation routinely rejected
- Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) adds new pre-closing disclosure burden for deals >€500M
- In-market consolidation below 4 operators faces strong EC headwinds

Canada — Favourable conditions

- No retroactive licence revocation risk for compliant resellers
- MVNO and reseller transactions exempt from Investment Canada national security review
- CRTC focuses on facilities-based competition; reseller M&A faces minimal scrutiny
- Acquirers can be 100% foreign-owned for reseller entities

Positioning your carrier for acquisition

A CRTC-registered Canadian carrier company — with an active BITS registration, a clean compliance history, and an established .ca domain and DID — is a more straightforward acquisition target for international buyers than a US Section 214 licensee. There is no equivalent of Team Telecom, no post-close revocation risk, and no mandatory CFIUS filing. For founders who anticipate an exit within 3–7 years, building on the Canadian regulatory foundation offers a significantly cleaner path to liquidity than the equivalent US carrier structure.

US-owned A-to-Z voice operators registered on the CRTC BITS list

Source: CRTC List of Registered Telecommunications Providers — Basic International Telecommunications Services (BITS). Data as published by the CRTC.

Registered CRTC entity | US parent / HQ | Category
--- | --- | ---
Twilio Inc. | San Francisco, CA (NASDAQ: TWLO) | CPaaS / A-to-Z wholesale voice & messaging
Bandwidth Communications Canada, Inc. | Raleigh, NC (NASDAQ: BAND) | Wholesale voice, DID origination & termination, CPaaS
Telnyx Canada Limited & Telnyx LLC | Washington, DC | A-to-Z carrier, DID, SIP trunking, elastic SIP
RingCentral Canada Inc. & RingCentral, Inc. | Belmont, CA (NYSE: RNG) | UCaaS / cloud PBX / carrier services
Vonage Business Inc. & Vonage Canada Corp. | Holmdel, NJ (acquired by Ericsson 2022) | UCaaS / CPaaS / A-to-Z voice
8x8, Inc. | Washington, DC registered address (NASDAQ: EGHT) | UCaaS / contact centre / international voice
Zoom Voice Communications, Inc. | San Jose, CA (NASDAQ: ZM) | UCaaS / Zoom Phone carrier services
Google Voice Canada Corporation | Boulder, CO / Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) | MVNO / consumer & business VoIP
Dialpad, Inc. | San Ramon, CA | AI-powered UCaaS / cloud telephony
Ooma, Inc. | Sunnyvale, CA (NYSE: OOMA) | Business VoIP / UCaaS / A-to-Z voice
GoTo Technologies Canada Ltd. | Boston, MA (formerly LogMeIn) | UCaaS / GoTo Connect cloud phone system
Airus, Inc. d/b/a Peerless Network | Chicago, IL | Wholesale A-to-Z voice, local number portability
Onvoy, LLC | Chicago, IL (acquired by Sinch) | Wholesale origination & termination, DID provisioning
IntelePeer Cloud Communications LLC | Centennial, CO | CPaaS / programmable voice & messaging
thinQ Technologies, Inc. dba Commio | Raleigh, NC | A-to-Z wholesale voice, DID APIs
Sangoma Technologies Inc. & Sangoma U.S., Inc. | Sarasota, FL (NASDAQ: SANG) | UCaaS / SIP trunking / open-source PBX (FreePBX)

What this list shows: These are not fringe operators — they include publicly traded US companies, Tier-1 carriers, and household-name CPaaS platforms. Every one of them chose to establish a CRTC-registered Canadian entity to operate lawfully as an international carrier in Canada. There is no size advantage — the process is identical whether you are Twilio or a two-person carrier startup.

## Step 6: Canadian Business Banking

Once your BC corporation is registered, we provide you with a link to open a Canadian digital business bank account — no trip to British Columbia required. Set up in under 5 minutes from anywhere in the world. Your account is CDIC-insured and comes with everything you need to operate as an international carrier.

1%

Cashback on all Mastercard corporate card spend

2%

Interest on CAD & USD balances, no minimums or caps

4

Currencies: CAD, USD, GBP, EUR accounts

200+

Countries you can send payments to

### Treasury & money movement

#### Global Transfers

Send domestic and international wire transfers to 200+ countries in 30+ currencies. Best FX rates in Canada (0.25-0.40% spread). Free domestic EFT, ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments.

#### Interac e-Transfer

Send and receive Interac e-Transfers for instant Canadian payments. Pay vendors, receive from clients — the standard Canadian business payment method.

#### Multi-Currency Invoicing

Send professional invoices in CAD, USD, GBP, or EUR. Accept payment via credit card or bank transfer. Choose who pays the processing fees — you or your client.

#### Accounts Payable

Automate bill payments with multi-level approvals and workflows. Two-way sync with QuickBooks and Xero for automatic reconciliation.

### Corporate cards & expense management

- ✓ Unlimited virtual and physical Mastercard corporate cards — issue as many cards as you need instantly. Create dedicated virtual cards per vendor, per employee, or per project. Physical cards available too. Multi-currency spend in CAD, USD, and more. 1% uncapped cashback on every transaction.
- ✓ Expense management — set individual card limits and controls, real-time spend tracking, receipt capture, and automatic categorization. Issue cards to team members with per-card spending rules.
- ✓ Connect Stripe Canada — use your Canadian business bank account to verify and connect Stripe Canada for payment processing. Accept payments from customers worldwide through your Canadian entity.
- ✓ No branch visit required — open your account entirely online in under 5 minutes. No trip to Canada needed. Manage everything from the web or mobile app.
- ✓ CDIC-insured deposits — eligible deposits held at a CDIC member institution, insured up to CA$100,000 per deposit category.
- ✓ Accounting automation — direct integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero. Transactions sync automatically for faster month-end closing.
- ✓ $100-$500 signup bonus — new business accounts are eligible for a signup bonus directly from the bank, depending on your projected transaction volume. This is paid by the bank, not by us.

### Why Canadian banking? The world's most stable banking system.

Country | Bank failures (2000-2026) | Notable events
--- | --- | ---
Canada | 0 major failures | Only G7 country that required zero bank bailouts in 2008. World Economic Forum ranked Canada's banking #1 in the world for soundness 7 consecutive years. No major bank has ever failed in Canadian history.
United States | 550+ failures | 2008-2013: 489 bank failures. 2023: Silicon Valley Bank ($209B), Signature Bank ($110B), First Republic ($229B) — the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest failures in US history. 1980s S&L crisis: 1,000+ institutions failed.
United Kingdom | Multiple bailouts | Northern Rock (2007), HBOS and RBS government bailouts (2008). Taxpayer cost: £137 billion.
Switzerland | 1 major forced merger | Credit Suisse (167 years old) forced emergency merger with UBS in 2023. $17B in bonds wiped out.
Iceland | All 3 major banks | All three major banks collapsed in 2008. National banking system failure.
Cyprus | Depositor haircut | 2013: Bank of Cyprus forced depositors to take losses. Deposits over €100K converted to equity.

- ✓ OSFI regulation — Canada's Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions is one of the most conservative bank regulators in the world. Canadian banks maintain higher capital ratios than US or European banks.
- ✓ CDIC deposit insurance — eligible deposits insured up to CA$100,000 per category (checking, savings, GICs, etc. each insured separately — effective coverage can be well over $100K).
- ✓ Big 5 stability — Canada's five largest banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) have operated continuously for 150+ years with no interruptions, bailouts, or failures.

### Wholesale carriers: need to receive US ACH deposits directly?

Our standard digital banking setup handles most carrier needs remotely. However, wholesale voice and data carriers who receive large ACH push deposits from US wholesale customers often need a traditional bank account with a US routing number — not a payment processor like Stripe, but a real US bank account that their wholesale partners can push ACH payments into directly.

For this, we can help you open an account with a Canadian bank that has a US branch in Florida. This requires a one-time trip to British Columbia to open the Canadian account in person. Once established, the same bank sets up a linked cross-border US dollar account through their Florida branch with just a single phone call — no trip to Florida required. You get a US ABA routing number and account number for domestic ACH, while keeping your primary banking relationship in Canada.

This is ideal for carriers receiving wholesale settlement payments, interconnection revenue, or high-volume ACH from US carrier partners. We coordinate the branch appointment, prepare all documentation (Certificate of Incorporation, corporate binder, director ID), and guide you through the process.

This is an optional upgrade for wholesale carriers who need direct US ACH deposit capability. Most retail-focused carriers find the standard digital banking setup sufficient.

Business banking is provided by third-party financial institutions. Performance West is not a bank. Banking services subject to provider terms and approval. CDIC coverage subject to applicable limits and conditions. Cross-border banking availability depends on the bank's current policies and client eligibility. Additional US fintech options for receiving ACH deposits are detailed in your client portal after delivery.

## Risk if non-compliant

Operating as an international telecom carrier through Canada without CRTC registration can result in enforcement action, loss of interconnection agreements, and inability to board with international vendors that require a registered carrier identity.

## Potential penalties

- ⚠ CRTC enforcement action for unregistered telecom operations
- ⚠ Inability to board with international vendors requiring a registered carrier
- ⚠ Loss of interconnection agreements with wholesale providers
- ⚠ BC Registry penalties for non-compliance with corporate maintenance requirements
- ⚠ Administrative dissolution for missed annual reports

## What we deliver

- ✓ Set up a virtual registered office in downtown Vancouver (329 Howe St)
- ✓ File BC corporation (numbered or named — your choice)
- ✓ Register a .ca domain (free, included) with business email and placeholder website
- ✓ Provision a Canadian phone number for your carrier
- ✓ Generate CRTC registration letter — you eSign in our portal, we submit to CRTC from your .ca email
- ✓ File your CCTS registration (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services)
- ✓ Produce complete corporate binder (digital PDF + printed copy shipped to registered office)
- ✓ Include: Certificate of Incorporation, Articles, Director/Shareholder registers, Share certificates, Organizational minutes
- ✓ Set up a Canadian business bank account (no trip to BC required)
- ✓ 3 hours of complimentary Canadian accounting consultation (GST/HST, corporate tax, bookkeeping setup) via our portal
- ✓ Canadian wholesale vendor directory (UCaaS, Data/TPIA, MVNO, IPTV, DID/Termination) — digital, via client portal
- ✓ Annual maintenance: domain + hosting + email + mailbox + BC annual report + CRTC compliance ($349 USD/yr). Consulting: $75 USD/hr

## Included: 3 hours of Canadian accounting support

Every Canada CRTC Carrier Package includes 3 complimentary hours with a Canadian accounting specialist. Get help with GST/HST registration, chart of accounts setup, corporate tax guidance, and bookkeeping for your new BC corporation.

- ✓ Chat directly with your assigned accountant through our secure portal
- ✓ You control access — grant and revoke accountant access to your corporate details anytime
- ✓ Additional hours available at $75 USD/hr after your 3 complimentary hours

## Included: Canadian wholesale vendor directory

Hit the ground running with our curated directory of Canadian wholesale telecommunications vendors. Available in your client portal after delivery.

■ UCaaS & wholesale voice reselling
■ Data services — TPIA cable & fiber
■ Wireless MVNO relationships
■ Video / IPTV / BDU licensing
■ Wholesale DID & voice termination
■ Updated periodically by our team

## Annual Maintenance — $349 USD/yr

Keep your Canadian corporation and CRTC registration in good standing:

- ✓ Anytime Mailbox renewal — virtual registered office at 329 Howe St, Vancouver
- ✓ BC Annual Report filing — filed with BC Registry Services on your behalf
- ✓ CRTC compliance status check — verify your registration remains active

Government fees (C$42 for BC annual report) included. Auto-renews annually with 30/14/7/3 day email reminders.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need to be a Canadian citizen?

No. CRTC ownership restrictions (80% Canadian-owned) apply only to facilities-based carriers that own transmission infrastructure. Resellers who purchase wholesale services from Canadian carriers and resell them are not subject to these ownership requirements.

### What is a BITS licence?

BITS stands for Basic International Telecommunications Service. It's not technically a 'licence' — the CRTC uses a registration model, not a licensing model. You file a registration letter with the CRTC Secretary General notifying them of your intent to provide international telecom services. The CRTC publishes your registration in a public notice, establishing your carrier on the official record. BITS registration is filed separately after your domestic reseller registration is acknowledged.

### Can I choose my corporation name?

Yes. You can choose a named corporation (we handle the BC name reservation, adds 2-5 business days and C$30) or a numbered corporation (e.g., '1234567 B.C. Ltd.' — instant, no name reservation needed). For telecom carriers, we recommend including a word that indicates your business activity in the name — such as 'Telecom', 'Communications', 'Networks', 'Connect', or 'Voice'. Examples: 'Maple Bridge Telecom Ltd.', 'Northern Voice Communications Inc.', 'Pacific Connect Networks Corp.' This strengthens your CRTC registration and makes your carrier identity clear to wholesale partners. A numbered company can always register a descriptive trade name later. The name must end with a BC legal ending: Ltd., Limited, Inc., Incorporated, Corp., or Corporation.

### What is the registered office for?

BC law requires every corporation to maintain a registered office with a delivery address in British Columbia that is accessible during business hours. We set up a virtual mailbox at 329 Howe St in downtown Vancouver, which satisfies this requirement. You can view and manage your mail online or via the mobile app.

### What ongoing costs are there?

Our annual maintenance service is $349 USD/year and includes: Anytime Mailbox renewal, BC Annual Report filing, CCTS renewal, CRTC compliance monitoring, CCTS complaint monitoring, and regulatory change alerts. Government fees included. Additionally, telecom consulting is available at $75 USD/hour for vendor negotiations, switch guidance, rate analysis, and general telecom advisory.

### Do you file the CRTC letter for me?

Yes. We generate the complete CRTC registration letter pre-filled with your corporation details. You review and eSign the document in our client portal. Once signed, we send it to the CRTC Secretary General from your Canadian email address (@yourcompany.ca) on your behalf.

### What documents do I receive?

You receive a complete corporate binder (PDF + printed copy) containing: Certificate of Incorporation, Notice of Articles, Articles of Incorporation, Incorporation Agreement, Register of Directors, Register of Shareholders, Share Certificates, Minutes of First Directors' Meeting, Registered Office Notice, and your CRTC Registration Letter.

### Which province should I choose — BC or Ontario?

Both work identically for CRTC registration. BC and Ontario are the two best provinces for international telecom carriers: (1) No Canadian director residency requirements for either province's corporations act. (2) All documents are in English. (3) Both have straightforward online incorporation portals. BC has a slightly lower incorporation fee (C$350 vs C$360 for Ontario) and Vancouver is Canada's Pacific gateway. Ontario has cheaper annual returns (C$25 vs C$42 for BC) and more registered office locations to choose from. Choose based on your preferred registered office location and long-term cost preference. The CRTC does not differentiate between provinces.

### Do I need to get anything notarized?

Yes — the BITS (international services) affidavit requires notarization. We handle the entire process: we generate the affidavit with your corporation's details, arrange an online notarization session for you (a brief ~5 minute video call with a commissioned US notary), and submit the notarized document to the CRTC as part of the Form 503 BITS application. You don't need to visit a notary in person — everything is done online. The notarization cost is included in our service fee.

### What is included in the notarization?

The BITS affidavit is a sworn statement that your entity intends to carry telecommunications traffic between Canada and other countries. During the online notarization session, you'll join a brief video call with a state-commissioned notary. They'll verify your identity, witness your signature on the affidavit, and apply their official notarial seal. The entire session typically takes less than 5 minutes. We schedule the session and handle all the paperwork — you just need to show up for the video call with a valid government-issued photo ID.

## US wholesale voice market: tightening restrictions on DID reselling and number assignment

NEW — MARCH 2026

### FCC proposes limiting DID reselling to a single level (FCC 26-17)

On March 26, 2026, the FCC unanimously adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would prohibit the resale of US phone numbers beyond a single level. If adopted:

ALLOWED NANPA → Provider → One Reseller → End User
PROHIBITED NANPA → Provider → Reseller A → Reseller B → Reseller C → End User

Why: Multi-tier reseller chains are the primary vehicle for robocall operations. The FCC found that Avid Telecom used 474.8 million phone numbers (72% used for just one call) through reseller chains. Sumco Panama generated 5 billion illegal calls resulting in a $300M fine. Enforcement is nearly impossible when numbers pass through 3-4 layers of resellers.

Impact: Over 1,860 interconnected VoIP providers operate in the US, but only 133 have direct NANPA access. The vast majority obtain numbers through resale. If adopted, many downstream resellers would need to either obtain direct NANPA access or exit the market.

Status: NPRM (proposed rule, not yet adopted). Comment period: 30/60 days after Federal Register publication. Final rules TBD.

#### Expanded certification requirements

All providers receiving US numbers — not just VoIP — must certify under penalty of perjury that they don't facilitate illegal robocalls, comply with STIR/SHAKEN, and report foreign ownership. 30 days to comply. Extended to all resellers.

#### Number cycling crackdown

FCC proposing minimum holding periods for phone numbers. Currently robocallers use hundreds of millions of numbers once and discard them. 18% of all reported unwanted calls come from numbers with minimal call history.

#### Enhanced reseller reporting (NRUF)

Providers must identify all resellers by name and contact info in their Numbering Resource Utilization reports. Resellers may be required to file their own NRUF reports. State commissions could deny numbering resources.

#### Joint liability for violations

Both the NANPA direct-access provider AND the first-level reseller would be jointly and severally responsible for robocall violations on their numbers. This makes upstream providers reluctant to wholesale to small or unproven carriers.

#### How Canadian carriers are positioned

These rules apply to US numbering resources administered by NANPA. Canadian carriers operating with CRTC-assigned Canadian numbers are not directly subject to FCC number assignment rules. Canadian carriers obtain US DIDs through US wholesale providers (like Flowroute/Iristel) who handle NANPA compliance. The single-level restriction, if adopted, would affect the US supply chain — but a Canadian carrier purchasing from a compliant US wholesaler at the first reseller level would still be a valid arrangement. Canada administers its own numbering through CNAC under CRTC authority.

## The growing burden of operating a US carrier (2025-2026)

### Carriers being shut down and cut off

In March 2026, the FCC issued a Final Determination Order cutting Belthrough LLC off from all US networks — just 3 weeks after the initial order. In the same month, the FCC ordered 35 companies to cure RMD deficiencies or face removal. Removal from the RMD is effectively a death sentence: no other US provider may accept your traffic.

### DID reselling restrictions tightening

The FCC's Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for number assignments have made DID reselling significantly harder. Carriers must verify end-user identity before assigning numbers, maintain records, and respond to traceback requests within tight deadlines. Non-compliance triggers RMD removal and cease-and-desist orders.

### USF contribution factor at record highs

The USF contribution factor exceeded 36.6% in recent quarters — meaning carriers pay over a third of their interstate/international revenue to the Universal Service Fund. In September 2025, even Vonage was hit with enforcement for USF reporting violations. This applies to all 214 carriers, including international-only and LIRE-exempt.

### Personal liability for carrier officers

On March 20, 2026, the FCC debarred 7 individuals in a single day from participating in FCC programs. In December 2025, Issa Asad of Q Link Wireless was debarred. Officers and principals of carriers now face personal debarment, not just corporate penalties.

### Team Telecom scrutiny of foreign-affiliated carriers

In January 2026, the FCC settled its first-ever enforcement case for Team Telecom mitigation agreement violations (Marlink, $175,000 penalty). China Telecom Americas had its 214 license revoked entirely. Foreign-owned 214 applicants face 6-12+ month reviews and mandatory network security agreements.

### Case Study: How Canadian carriers sell US DIDs and SMS without the same burdens

VoIP.ms is a Canadian VoIP provider (Montreal, QC) that sells US phone numbers (DIDs), SMS, and voice services to customers throughout the United States and internationally — all while operating under CRTC jurisdiction, not the FCC.

#### What VoIP.ms offers from Canada

- • US DIDs in every area code (local numbers)
- • US toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.)
- • Inbound and outbound SMS on US numbers
- • SIP trunking for US businesses
- • Pay-per-minute voice termination to US
- • E911 service for US numbers

#### What they avoid by being Canadian

- • No Section 214 license required
- • No CALEA infrastructure ($50K-$500K+ saved)
- • No FCC Form 499-A or USF contributions
- • No state PUC registrations (50 states)
- • No US telecom taxes on invoices (15-40% saved for customers)
- • No FCC regulatory fees

Iristel (Markham, ON) is another example — a Canadian CLEC operating in 70+ countries with offices in the US, Romania, Moldova, Kenya, and Norway. They provide wholesale voice termination, international DID numbers, and MVNO solutions globally, all from their Canadian carrier base.

These companies obtain US numbers through upstream US number providers and resell them under their Canadian carrier authority. Canada shares country code +1 with the US under the North American Numbering Plan, making cross-border number assignment seamless.

### Example: How a small US ISP could move voice operations to Canada

Hypothetical scenario showing how this service works in practice

#### The situation

Valley Internet Co. is a small ISP in rural Oregon with 800 broadband subscribers. They also offer a basic hosted phone system (UCaaS) to ~200 of those customers — small businesses and home offices. Their voice operation is a headache:

- They filed for a Section 214 license 2 years ago — $1,895 filing fee + $8,000 in attorney fees
- They file FCC Form 499-A annually, paying USF on their voice revenue (~$12,000/yr in contributions)
- They're in the RMD, paying for STIR/SHAKEN compliance (~$5,000/yr for their SBC vendor)
- They maintain CALEA compliance through their switch vendor (~$15,000 initial + $3,000/yr)
- They file in the Oregon PUC (~$500/yr) and pay state telecom taxes
- Their customers see 25-30% in telecom taxes and surcharges added to every invoice
- Total annual regulatory burden on voice: ~$35,000/yr for a 200-seat phone system

#### What they do

1. Order the Canada CRTC Carrier Package from Performance West ($3,899). They choose a numbered company: 1234567 B.C. Ltd.
2. We set up everything: BC corporation, registered office in Vancouver, .ca domain (valleyinternet.ca), business email, Canadian phone number, CRTC reseller + BITS registration, corporate binder shipped to Vancouver.
3. They open a Canadian bank account through our banking referral — no trip to BC required. They now have a Canadian entity with a bank account, domain, email, and phone number.
4. They sign up with a Canadian UCaaS white-label provider (e.g., SkySwitch or Iristel's white-label UC platform) using their 1234567 B.C. Ltd. as the contracting entity. The UCaaS platform is hosted in Toronto with sub-10ms latency to their Oregon customers.
5. They get Canadian DIDs through Flowroute/Iristel (same +1 country code, same area codes as US numbers — their customers can keep their existing numbers via porting to the Canadian carrier's US DID inventory).
6. They rebrand their voice service under valleyinternet.ca, offering it as "Valley Internet Phone" powered by their Canadian entity. The service page, billing, and customer portal run on the .ca domain.
7. They migrate their 200 UCaaS customers to the new Canadian-hosted platform. Customers notice no difference in call quality (sub-10ms latency) but see zero telecom surcharges on their invoices.

#### The result

Before (US carrier)

- 214 license + attorney fees: $10,000 (sunk)
- USF contributions: ~$12,000/yr
- STIR/SHAKEN: ~$5,000/yr
- CALEA: ~$3,000/yr (ongoing)
- Oregon PUC + state taxes: ~$2,000/yr
- 499-A filing prep: ~$1,500/yr
- Customer invoices: +25-30% surcharges
- Total annual: ~$23,500/yr + customer surcharges

After (Canadian carrier)

- Canada CRTC package: $3,899 (one-time)
- Annual maintenance: $349 USD/yr
- UCaaS platform: ~$X/seat/mo (wholesale)
- USF contributions: $0
- CALEA: $0 (upstream provider handles it)
- State PUC: $0 (no provincial telecom reg)
- Customer invoices: zero surcharges
- Total annual regulatory: ~$349 USD/yr

Annual regulatory savings: ~$23,000/yr

Plus customers see cleaner invoices with no USF surcharges, no telecom taxes, no E911 fees. Just the service price.

#### What their customers experience

- ✓ Same phone numbers — customers keep their existing US numbers (ported to the Canadian carrier's US DID inventory via Flowroute/Iristel)
- ✓ Same or better call quality — Toronto/Vancouver data centers are sub-10ms to the US West Coast. Indistinguishable from domestic.
- ✓ Cleaner invoices — no more line items for USF Recovery Fee, Regulatory Cost Recovery, E911, TRS, state telecom tax. Just the monthly service price.
- ✓ Same support — Valley Internet still provides the same local support from Oregon. The Canadian entity is the billing and regulatory wrapper, not the customer relationship.

Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only. Actual savings depend on your specific business, traffic volume, and regulatory situation. Moving voice operations to a Canadian carrier may have US tax nexus implications and may not eliminate all US regulatory obligations if you serve US end users. Consult a US and Canadian telecom attorney before making changes to your carrier structure.

### Can a Canadian carrier voluntarily file in the RMD or 499-A?

Yes, there is a path. If a Canadian carrier wants to carry traffic into the US or work with US carriers that require RMD participation, they can:

- ✓ RMD filing: Canadian carriers that act as gateway providers (bringing international calls into the US network) can and do file in the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database. Iristel, for example, has US operations and participates in the STIR/SHAKEN framework through its US presence. A Canadian carrier can file in the RMD voluntarily or through a US affiliate without obtaining a full 214 license.
- ✓ 499-A filing: Canadian carriers with US-jurisdictional revenue (e.g., terminating calls in the US) may voluntarily file FCC Form 499-A. However, doing so triggers USF contribution obligations on that revenue. Most Canadian carriers avoid this by routing US traffic through US-based intermediary carriers who handle the 499-A obligations.
- ✓ Hybrid approach: Many Canadian carriers maintain a small US affiliate (LLC or Corp) with a 214 license for US-specific regulatory needs, while keeping the bulk of their international operations under the lighter-touch Canadian CRTC framework. This gives them RMD compliance where needed without subjecting their entire business to FCC jurisdiction.

Performance West can help you set up both a Canadian CRTC carrier and a US 214 carrier if your business requires both. Contact us for a combined package quote.

### Important disclaimers and limitations

What a Canadian CRTC registration does NOT solve:

- US traffic termination obligations — if you terminate calls to US end users, the US carrier handling the last mile may require you to have RMD filing, STIR/SHAKEN attestation, or a 214 license regardless of your Canadian status.
- US number assignment rules — US DIDs must ultimately be assigned by a US-authorized number holder (RespOrg or OCN holder). Canadian carriers obtain US numbers through US upstream providers, not directly from NANPA.
- US-specific regulations for US customers — if you directly serve US retail customers, some US consumer protection laws (TCPA, TRACED Act, state consumer protection) may apply regardless of where you are incorporated.
- Tax nexus — having US customers or US-based infrastructure may create US tax nexus, requiring state tax registrations and potentially subjecting you to US corporate taxation on US-sourced income.
- SWIFT/banking sanctions — a Canadian bank account does not exempt you from US OFAC sanctions, export controls, or anti-money laundering regulations if you transact with US parties.
- Bilateral trade disputes — the Canada-US relationship, while generally stable, is subject to political changes. Trade policy shifts could affect cross-border telecom arrangements.
- CRTC regulatory changes — Canada's regulatory environment, while currently lighter than the US, is evolving. Bill C-26 (Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act) may impose new cybersecurity obligations on Canadian carriers.

Consult qualified legal counsel before proceeding

We strongly recommend consulting with a US telecommunications attorney and a Canadian telecommunications attorney before making decisions about carrier jurisdiction. The regulatory landscape is complex and changes frequently. Performance West provides incorporation and registration services — we do not provide legal, tax, or regulatory compliance advice. The comparisons on this page are for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal guidance.

Specific questions to discuss with counsel include: whether your business model requires a US 214 license in addition to CRTC registration, whether you have US tax nexus, how CALEA obligations apply to your specific network architecture, and how to structure cross-border traffic routing to optimize regulatory compliance.

Performance West Inc. is a compliance consulting firm. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or legal representation. The information on this page is based on publicly available regulatory frameworks and is subject to change. All regulatory comparisons are approximate and may not reflect your specific business situation. Tax rates, fees, and regulations cited are current as of March 2026 and may have changed since publication.

## What you'll need to get started

Photo ID

Driver's license or passport

Proof of Address

Utility bill or bank statement

Director Details

Full name & address of at least one director

Service Description

What telecom services you plan to offer

Email Address

For account setup & correspondence

A passport is not required — a valid government-issued driver's license or national ID card works for both the registered office setup and bank account opening. International clients (outside Canada/US) will find a passport is the most practical photo ID to use. All documents can be uploaded digitally via our portal or your phone camera.

## Ready to launch your international telecom carrier?

Complete package: BC incorporation + CRTC registration + BITS international + corporate binder + Canadian business banking. No Canadian citizenship required.

Order now — $3,899 USD or ~$975/mo

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