The CRTC has introduced regulatory convergence to reflect a converging broadcast and telecom industry.

From Friday, the regulator said it has introduced a harmonized set of rules to process most broadcasting and telecom applications without former boundaries and constraints.

“The introduction of the new rules of practice and procedure gave us an opportunity to modernize and simplify our procedural rules, as well as ensure they reflect a converged communications industry,” CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein said in a statement.

The regulator is also setting deadlines on how long it takes to rule on cases.

Certain broadcast and telecom applications that require a public hearing will see decisions issued within four months from the close of the public record.

And broadcasting applications that require no public process will be decided within one month from when a completed application is received.

And broadcast and telecom applications related to a transfer of ownership, and which require a public hearing, for example, will see decision rendered within 35 days from the close of the public record.

“However, certain unforeseen events, such as the launch of a new proceeding to review a regulatory policy or a court proceeding, could affect the close of the record,” von Finckenstein said.