Nova Scotia-based Eastlink says it is “deeply disappointed” with the federal government’s move to let the biggest telecom companies use the networks of smaller, regional providers.

In a statement Thursday, Lee Bragg, Executive Vice Chair of Eastlink, warned the decision will hurt long-term competition.

“This will have negative and meaningful impacts on competition, counter to the federal government’s own policy to build a strong, connected Canadian economy enabled by facilities-based investment while encouraging real competition that depends on sustainable networks to create more competition,” Bragg said. “We had hoped that this government, unlike the previous government, would take a more investment friendly approach to decision making.”

Bragg said Ottawa is showing “disregard for the

See Full Page