ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 97-889
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Telecom Order |
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Ottawa, 26 June 1997
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Telecom Order CRTC 97-889
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On 29 November 1996, BC TEL filed Tariff Notice 3557 (TN 3557) proposing to increase the monthly rate and to destandardize its V.H.F. Marine Radiotelephone Service, Tariff Item 238 of its General Tariff.
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File No.: Tariff Notice 3557
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1. In its application, BC TEL stated that this service was provided on obsolescent equipment, and featured manual channel selection, operator assisted call completion, and push-to-talk operation. Moreover, the service was not a substitute for emergency communications provided by the Canadian Coast Guard - Department of Fisheries and Oceans. With its filing, BC TEL also provided information about the availability of alternate services.
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2. BC TEL stated that its ongoing review of the service has revealed that customer demand is declining significantly. BC TEL's cost study filed with TN 3557 indicated that even after the proposed $5.00 ($15.00 to $20.00) monthly rate increase, the rate would still not be compensatory.
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3. Comments were received from 21 customers or customer associations. While many of the interventions opposed the rate increase, most indicated that the service should not be destandardized because there were no viable alternatives at this time. The comments indicated that cellular service did not provide the necessary coverage and satellite-based service was not affordable for the smaller boat operators.
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4. BC TEL responded on an individual basis to these comments stating, as argued in its application of 29 November, that alternate services are available.
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5. The Commission considers the proposed rate increase to $20.00 per month is reasonable, given the costs associated with this service.
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6. With respect to destandardization of the service, the Commission considers that, at this time, alternate services do not address requirements of many customers, and that therefore this service should not be restricted to existing subscribers.
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7. In light of the foregoing, the Commission approves the proposed rate increase effective the date of this Order, but denies the proposed destandardization of the V.H.F. Marine Radiotelephone Service.
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8. In the event that BC TEL should, in the future, propose to destandardize the service, it should more fully address the nature of the use of the service by customers and the extent to which alternative services meet customers' requirements.
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Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General |
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This document is available in alternative format upon request.
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