ARCHIVED -  Telecom Order CRTC 97-1028

Telecom Order

Ottawa, 22 July 1997

Telecom Order CRTC 97-1028

On 4 April 1997, TELUS Communications (Edmonton) Inc. (TCEI) filed for approval Tariff Notice 50 (TN 50) proposing revisions to the Company's Cellular Radio-Telephone System Access tariff for the provision of trunk-side access and Common Channel Signalling #7 (CCS7) as well as tandeming and transiting of traffic within the local calling area, to Cellular Service Operators (CSOs).

File No.: Tariff Notice 50

1. Rogers Cantel Inc. (Cantel) and Clearnet Communications Inc. (Clearnet) filed comments, dated 4 May 1997 and 29 April 1997 respectively, submitting, among other things, that the proposed rate for the tandeming feature is inappropriate and that TN 50 does not comply with Telecom Order CRTC 97-79 (Order 97-79), dated 17 January 1997, given, among other things, that TCEI's proposal restricts tandeming to an area that is smaller than the Edmonton free calling area reachable via line side connection, and that it requires the interconnection of CCS7 at the Edmonton Signal Transfer Point (STP).

2. Clearnet also stated that the proposed tariff should be made available to Personal Communication Service (PCS) and Specialized Mobile Radio/Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR/ESMR) service providers, rather than being restricted to CSOs.

3. Cantel requested that TCEI be directed to develop a tariff for 1,000 block routing. Cantel also noted that TN 50 did not provide for routing of toll calls via trunk-side connection.

4. On 16 May 1997, TCEI responded, stating that it was not a Stentor member company, that Order 97-79 applied to TELUS Communications Inc., not to TCEI, and that therefore it was appropriate for TCEI to require CCS7 interconnection at its Edmonton STP.

5. With respect to PCS and SMR/ESMR operators, TCEI stated that it was prepared to offer CCS7 trunk-side connectivity to these operators.

6. TCEI also stated that its proposed tariff does not preclude 1,000 block routing and that it is willing to develop a tariff specific to that feature. Also, TCEI stated that it would be willing to file a trunk-side interconnection arrangement for toll calling.

7. Regarding the limited local calling area, TCEI stated that tandeming was limited to the Metropolitan Edmonton Core Area because the remainder of the Extended Flat Rate Calling (EFRC) area was outside of TCEI's local exchange area and, moreover, was part of the serving territory of another telephone company. Furthermore, TCEI submitted that wireless service providers may originate and terminate local traffic to these exchanges using line side connection arrangements.

8. The Commission considers that the local calling area available on local tandem trunk-side connection should be consistent with the calling area of the line side connection used by CSOs.

9. The Commission considers that the cost study filed with TN 50 supports the proposed rates for the tandeming feature as modified consistent with paragraph 8.

10. The Commission notes that TCEI has expressed its willingness to extend the proposed CCS7 trunk-side interconnection arrangement to PCS and SMR/ESMR providers, [together with CSOs collectively called Wireless Service Operators (WSO's)] as well as include provisions for 1,000 block routing and trunk-side interconnection for the WSO's toll traffic.

11. The Commission notes that TCEI's Edmonton STP is used by Interexchange Carriers for their CCS7 point of interconnection with TCEI. The Commission considers that CCS7 interconnection at TCEI's STP should also apply to the WSO's.

12. In light of the foregoing, TN 50 is approved on an interim basis with the modification that TCEI issue forthwith revised tariff pages to include the following changes: i) extend the free calling area for local tandem trunk-side interconnection to include the total EFRC area of the exchange in which the connection is made, ii) extend the proposed tariff to all WSO's, and iii) include specific reference that the tariff includes 1,000 block routing. Consistent with the Company's willingness to file such a tariff, TCEI is further directed to file, within 30 days, a proposed tariff revision to include trunk-side interconnection for WSO's toll traffic.

Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request.