There are similarities between how energy markets and the internet market work in Alberta. Deregulation in Alberta allowed for competitive retailers to sell electricity and natural gas using the existing infrastructure that was built by the wires service providers and distribution companies. Similarly, the internet market is set up so competitive Internet Service Providers can sell internet services over existing infrastructure put in place by the large incumbent companies.
It is not economical for other Internet Service Providers to build a new network on top of the existing telephone (Telus) and cable (Shaw) networks. To foster competition at the wholesale level, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires that large companies sell access to their networks.