ARCHIVED - Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-92

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Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-92

 

See also: 2007-92-1, 2007-92-2

Ottawa, 27 September 2007

 

TELUS Communications Company - Application for forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services

  Reference: 8640-T66-200709074
  In this Decision, the Commission approves TELUS Communications Company's (TCC) request for forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services in 35 exchanges in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. The Commission denies TCC's request for forbearance in 42 other exchanges in these provinces.
 

Introduction

1.

The Commission received an application by TELUS Communications Company (TCC), dated 15 June 2007, in which the company requested forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services1 in 77 exchanges. These exchanges are located in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec and include exchanges in the priority census metropolitan areas (CMAs) of Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec, and Vancouver. A list of these exchanges is set out in Appendix 1 of this Decision.

2.

The Commission received submissions and/or data regarding TCC's application from Bell Canada; Cogeco Cable Inc. (Cogeco); MTS Allstream Inc. (MTS Allstream); Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Videotron Ltd. (Videotron); Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI); and Shaw Telecom Inc. (Shaw).

3.

The record of this proceeding closed with RCI's response to a Commission interrogatory, dated 20 August 2007.

4.

The Commission has assessed TCC's application based on the local forbearance test set out in Telecom Decision 2006-15,as amended by the Governor in Council's Order Varying Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15, P.C. 2007-532, 4 April 2007 (modified Telecom Decision 2006-15), by examining the following:
 

a) Product market

 

b) Competitor presence test

 

c) Competitor quality of service (Q of S) results

 

d) Communications plan

 

Commission's analysis and determinations

 

a) Product market

5.

The Commission notes that TCC is seeking forbearance for 65 tariffed business local exchange services in Alberta and British Columbia, and 24 in Quebec. Of these, 49 of the services in Alberta and British Columbia and 16 of the services in Quebec were included in the list of services eligible for forbearance set out in Telecom Decision 2005-35.

6.

The Commission notes that MTS Allstream objected to Centrex services and services not listed in Telecom Decision 2005-35 being included in the relevant product market.

7.

The Commission notes that it issued Telecom Public Notice 2007-14 to address the issue of Centrex services in relation to applications for forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services. Accordingly, the Commission will not consider TCC's application regarding the Centrex services set out in Appendix 2 of this Decision.

8.

The Commission notes, further, that in Telecom Decision 2005-35 it excluded from the scope of eligible local exchange services those that were either generic services or service bundles. In that Decision the Commission noted that
 

i) tariffs for generic services apply not only to local exchange services, but also to other telecommunications services, and when it forbore from regulating a particular local exchange service, the relevant generic service tariffs would no longer apply to that forborne service; and

 

ii) tariff approval is not required for a bundle that does not include any tariffed service.

9.

The Commission notes that it need not make forbearance findings regarding generic services and service bundles that do not include a tariffed service.

10.

The Commission considers that although the remaining services - seven in Alberta and British Columbia and three in Quebec - were not included in the list of eligible local exchange services in Telecom Decision 2005-35, they fall within the definition of local exchange services as set out in Telecom Public Notice 2005-2.

11.

The approved services, including the remaining services that fall within the definition set out in Telecom Public Notice 2005-2, are listed in Appendix 3 of this Decision.
 

b) Competitor presence test

12.

The Commission notes that TCC requested forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services in 17 exchanges in Alberta, 43 exchanges in British Columbia, and 17 exchanges in Quebec.

13.

The Commission also notes that for 35 of these exchanges, information provided by parties confirms that there is, in addition to TCC, at least one other independent facilities-based, fixed-line telecommunications service provider that offers local exchange services in the market and is capable of serving at least 75 percent of the business local exchange service lines that TCC is capable of serving. Accordingly, the Commission determines that these 35 exchanges meet the competitor presence test.

14.

The Commission notes TCC's submission that competitors were capable of serving at least 75 percent of the business local exchange service lines that TCC was capable of serving in the remaining 42 exchanges.

15.

Bell Canada, Cogeco, MTS Allstream, RCI, and Shaw submitted that they did not offer retail business local exchange services in any of these 42 exchanges where TCC had identified them as competitors. Videotron submitted that although it did offer business local exchange services in some of these 42 exchanges where TCC had identified it as a competitor, it was not capable of serving at least 75 percent of the business local exchange service lines that TCC was capable of serving in those exchanges.

16.

The Commission also notes TCC's reply that the answers provided by competitors, with the exception of those provided by Bell Canada and Cogeco, were not based on any evidence. The Commission notes, however, that MTS Allstream, RCI, Shaw, and Videotron did provide information regarding the exchanges where they were co-located and, where Videotron did offer business services, it provided an estimate of the number of business customers it was able to serve in the exchanges in question. The Commission considers that based on the above, for the remaining 42 exchanges, competitors are not capable of serving at least 75 percent of the business local exchange service lines that TCC is capable of serving.

17.

Accordingly, the Commission determines that the remaining 42 exchanges do not meet the competitor presence test.

18.

A list of the exchanges that meet the competitor presence test is set out in Appendix 4 of this Decision.
 

c) Competitor Q of S results

19.

The Commission notes that, as determined in Telecom Decision 2007-64, TCC's competitor Q of S results for the period of December 2006 to May 2007 meet the competitor Q of S criterion for local forbearance.
 

d) Communications plan

20.

The Commission notes that modified Telecom Decision 2006-15 states that an ILEC's communications plan should describe how the ILEC intends to explain local forbearance to customers in the relevant market, provide information concerning the ongoing availability of stand-alone primary exchange service in the market, and provide contact information for customers who have questions or concerns.

21.

The Commission has reviewed TCC's draft communications plan and is satisfied that it generally meets the information requirements set out in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15. However, the Commission considers that the company should make the following changes to the plan (italics represent revisions to be made):
  i) Ensure that it appropriately targets business customers.
  ii) Include the following statement:
 

The CRTC has directed TCC to maintain certain requirements, such as the provision of telephone directories and the maintenance of customer confidentiality provisions, in the provision of local business exchange services in forborne areas.

  iii) Indicate that TCC is to be the first point of contact for its local service customers' questions regarding local forbearance. Contact information must include a mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
  iv) Provide mailing addresses for each organization listed in the communications plan.
  v) Add the following information to the contact list, after TCC's contact information and before the Commission's contact information:
 

Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS)

 

Website
www.ccts-cprst.ca

 

Email
General inquiries: info@ccts-cprst.ca
Complaints: complaints@ccts-cprst.ca

 

Telephone
Toll-free: 1-888-221-1687
Ottawa area: 613-244-9585

 

Toll-free fax: 1-877-782-2924

 

Postal address
P.O. Box 81088, Ottawa, ON K1P 1B1

22.

The Commission approves the proposed business market communications plan with the revisions outlined above. The Commission directs TCC to provide the resulting communications materials to its customers in both official languages, where appropriate.
 

Conclusion

23.

The Commission determines that TCC's application regarding the 35 exchanges listed in Appendix 4 meets all the local forbearance criteria set out in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15.

24.

Pursuant to subsection 34(1) of the Telecommunications Act (the Act), the Commission finds as a question of fact that a determination to forbear, to the extent specified in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15, from the regulation of business local exchange services listed in Appendix 3 and future services that fall within the definition of local exchange services set out in Telecom Public Notice 2005-2 as they pertain to business customers only, in the 35 exchanges listed in Appendix 4, would be consistent with the Canadian telecommunications policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act.

25.

Pursuant to subsection 34(2) of the Act, the Commission finds as a question of fact that these business local exchange services are subject to a level of competition in these exchanges sufficient to protect the interests of users of these services.

26.

Pursuant to subsection 34(3) of the Act, the Commission finds as a question of fact that to forbear, to the extent specified in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15, from regulating these business local exchange services in these exchanges would be unlikely to impair unduly the continuance of a competitive market for these services.

27.

In light of the above, the Commission approves TCC's application for forbearance from the regulation of the local exchange services listed in Appendix 3 and future services that fall within the definition of local exchange services set out in Telecom Public Notice 2005-2, as they pertain to business customers only, in the 35 exchanges listed in Appendix 3, subject to the powers and duties that the Commission has retained as set out in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15. This determination takes effect as of the date of this Decision. The Commission directs TCC to file for Commission approval revised tariff pages within 30 days.

28.

The Commission determines that TCC's application does not meet all the local forbearance criteria set out in modified Telecom Decision 2006-15 for the remaining 42 exchanges. Accordingly, the Commission denies TCC's application for forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services in these 42 exchanges.
  Secretary General
 

Related documents

 
  • TELUS Communications Company - Applications for forbearance from the regulation of residential local exchange services, Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-64, 3 August 2007
 
  • Forbearance from the regulation of retail local exchange services, Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15, 6 April 2006, as amended by the Governor in Council's Order Varying Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15, P.C. 2007-532, 4 April 2007
 
  • List of services within the scope of the proceeding on forbearance from the regulation of local exchange services, Telecom Decision CRTC 2005-35, 15 June 2005, as amended by Telecom Decision CRTC 2005-35-1, 14 July 2005
 
  • Forbearance from regulation of local exchange services, Telecom Public Notice 2005-2 28 April 2005
  This document is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
  ________________________

Footnote:

1  In this Decision, "business local exchange services" refers to local exchange services used by business customers to access the public switched telephone network, and any associated service charges, features, and ancillary services.

Appendix 1

  TCC requested forbearance from the regulation of its business local exchange services in the following 77 exchanges:
  Alberta
  Calgary CMA
  Airdrie
  Calgary
  Cochrane
  Edmonton CMA
  Edmonton
  Fort Saskatchewan
  Sherwood Park
  Spruce Grove
  St. Albert
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Canmore
  Fort McMurray
  Grand Prairie
  High River
  Lethbridge
  Medicine Hat
  Okotoks
  Red Deer
  Strathmore
  British Columbia
  Vancouver CMA
  Aldergrove
  Fort Langley
  Haney
  Ladner
  Langley
  New Westminster
  Newton
  North Vancouver
  Pitt Meadows
  Port Coquitlam
  Port Moody
  Richmond
  Vancouver
  West Vancouver
  Whalley
  White Rock
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Abbotsford
  Agassiz
  Chilliwack
  Cobble Hill
  Duncan
  Fort St. John
  Kelowna
  Lakeview Heights
  Lantzville
  Mission
  Nanaimo
  North Kamloops
  Okanagan Falls
  Okanagan Mission
  Penticton
  Prince George
  Qualicum
  Rutland
  Saanich
  Sooke
  South Kamloops
  Squamish
  Vernon
  Victoria
  Wellington
  Westbank
  Whistler
  Quebec
  Quebec CMA
  St-Augustin-de-Desmaures
  St-Lambert-de-Lauzon
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Baie-Comeau (Hauterive)
  Baie-Comeau (Marquette)
  Donnacona
  Matane
  Mont-Joli
  Montmagny
  Neuville
  Port-Cartier
  Rimouski
  Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce
  Saint-Georges-de-Beauce
  Sept-Îles
  St-Henri-de-Lévis
  St-Jean-Port-Joli
  St-Tite

Appendix 2

  List of Centrex services for which TCC requested forbearance (out of the scope of this proceeding)
  Alberta and British Columbia
  Tariff

Item

List of services
  1005

42

Centrex-General
  1005

43

Centrex
  1005

43A

Centrex Call Processing
  1005

43B

Electronic Transfer Capability for Centrex
  18001

240

Extended Area Service (Centrex)
  18001

530

Electronic Transfer Capability for Centrex
  18001

585

Centrex Service
  Quebec
  25080

2.13

Centrex Business Service
  25080

2.18

Centrex Plus Service
  25080

2.21

Service DataMedia

Appendix 3

  Local exchange services eligible for forbearance from regulation in this Decision (for business customers only)
  Alberta and British Columbia
  Services included in Telecom Decision 2005-35
  Tariff

Item

List of services
  1005

25

Exchange Classification and Rates
  1005

26

Business and Residence service
  1005

27

Base Rate Areas
  1005

32

Exchange Rates
  1005

122

Foreign Central Office Service - Voice
  1005

126

Direct-In-Dial
  1005

132

Service to Ships and Trains
  1005

138

Intelliroute
  1005

150

Reserve Telephone Number Service
  1005

153

Optional Hunting Arrangement
  1005

154

Call Info Services
  1005

157

Suspension of Service
  1005

161

Call Guardian
  1005

164

Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
  1005

168C

Voice Messaging Options Service
  1005

169

Universal Messaging Options Service
  1005

405

Internet Call Director
  1005

465

ISDN-BRI (formerly Microlink)
  1005

470

ISDN-PRI (formerly Megalink)
  1005

470A

ISDN-PRI (non-contracted) Access
  1005

490

Datadial
  1005

495

Digital Exchange Access
  18001

165

Digital Exchange Access (DEA)
  18001

170

Direct-In-Dial Service (DID)
  18001

215

Dataline
  18001

230

Voice Messaging Options Service
  18001

235

Calling Features
  18001

250

Intelliroute
  18001

305

Denial Service
  18001

310

Toll Restrict
  18001

380

Temporary Disconnect
  18001

425

Exchange Service
  18001

430

Deductions - Churches, Community centres and Senior Citizen Drop-in centres
  18001

485

ISDN-BRI (formerly Microlink)
  18001

495

ISDN-PRI (formerly Megalink)
  18001

505

Switched 56 Digital Service
  18001

520

Universal Messaging
  21461

202

Individual Line Service
  21461

209

Local Calling Area Expansion
  21461

210

IP Evolution
  21461

300

Call Management Services
  21461

301

Voice Mail Services (VMS)
  21461

307

Special Number Search
  21461

311

Dual Line Call Manager
  21461

314

Remote Call Forwarding
  Additional forbearance-eligible services
  1005

122A

Foreign Central Office Service - Data
  1005

200

Terminal Attachment Program
  18001

295

Inbound Data Access
  21461

129

Directory Listings
  21461

316

900 Blocking
  21461

521

900 Service
  21461

1000

Chargeable Call Intercept Service
  Quebec
  Services included in Telecom Decision 2005-35
  Tariff

Item

List of services
  25080

2.02

Business and Residence Service
  25080

2.04

Shared Use
  25080

2.05

Directories and Listings
  25080

2.11

Service to Immobilized Ships, Trailers and Trains
  25080

2.12

Telephone Number Reservation Service
  25080

2.16.03

Toll Restriction Service
  25080

2.17

Direct Inward Dialling
  25080

2.19

Voice Messaging Services
  25080

2.20

TELUS Québec's SmartTouch Services
  25080

2.22

Call Display Blocking
  25080

3.02.07

Call Blocking Service - 900 Service
  25080

4.08

Use of Customer-Provided Equipment with the Company's Facilities
  25080

5.03

Multiflex Service
  25080

5.05

ISDN-PRI Service
  Additional forbearance-eligible services
  21461

1000

Chargeable Call Intercept Service
  25080

2.29

Access service 310-XXXX
  25081

5.08

Call Screening Intelliroute

Appendix 4

  The Commission forbears from the regulation of TCC's business local exchange services as set out in Appendix 3 in the following exchanges:
  Alberta
  Calgary CMA
  Airdrie
  Calgary
  Cochrane
  Edmonton CMA
  Edmonton
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Fort McMurray
  Grand Prairie
  High River
  Strathmore
  Medicine Hat
  Okotoks
  Red Deer
  Lethbridge
  British Columbia
  Vancouver CMA
  New Westminster
  Newton
  North Vancouver
  Port Coquitlam
  Port Moody
  Richmond
  Vancouver
  Whalley
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Abbotsford
  Chilliwack
  Fort St. John
  Kelowna
  Nanaimo
  Penticton
  Prince George
  South Kamloops
  Victoria
  Vernon
  Quebec
  Exchanges outside of the priority CMAs
  Rimouski
  Baie-Comeau (Hauterive)
  Baie-Comeau (Marquette)
  Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce
  Saint-Georges-de-Beauce

Date Modified: 2007-09-27

Date modified: