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Ottawa, 20 May 1998
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Telecom Order CRTC 98-490
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On 11 March 1998, Teleglobe Canada Inc. (Teleglobe) filed an application under Tariff Notice (TN) 526 for approval of tariff revisions to the International Globeaccess Service Tariff (CRTC 9015).
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File No.: Tariff Notice 526
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1. In its application, Teleglobe proposed, among other things, the introduction of a Program to Australia and the United Kingdom. Under the Program, Globeaccesstel customers would benefit from discounts offered on the basis of incremental ranges of traffic.
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2. On 9 April 1998, Stentor Resource Centre Inc. (Stentor) filed comments with respect to the application. Stentor stated that, generally, it was satisfied with the changes proposed in TN 526. However, Stentor submitted that, with respect to the Program to Australia and the United Kingdom, the application of discounts through a permanent tariff offering, structured upon a predetermined base, that differs by customer, is unjustly discriminatory.
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3. Stentor requested that the Commission grant expeditious approval to all aspects of TN 526, except the Program to Australia and the United Kingdom, with rates to be effective the date of such approval. Stentor submitted that the proposed Program to Australia and the United Kingdom should be denied due to the anti-competitive and discriminatory nature of the proposed discount structure.
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4. Teleglobe, in reply comments dated 21 April 1998, submitted that the proposed Program to Australia and the United Kingdom is not unjustly discriminatory under Section 27(2) of the Telecommunications Act, nor is it anti-competitive. Teleglobe noted that, taking into consideration customer size, Globeaccesstel customers with greater traffic volumes will benefit from greater discounts and, contrary to Stentor's allegations, the program will not provide an undue advantage to some customers.
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5. Teleglobe stated that, since Stentor is currently its most significant customer for the Australia and United Kingdom routes and objected to the rates, Teleglobe had decided to withdraw the proposed Program. Teleglobe requested that the Commission grant expeditious approval to the proposed changes in TN 526 without the proposed Program to Australia and the United Kingdom, effective the date of the issuance of the Commission Order.
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6. The Commission is of the preliminary view that the tariff revisions proposed under TN 526, as amended by Teleglobe's letter dated 21 April 1998, are consistent with the directives of Teleglobe - Review of the Regulatory Framework, Telecom Decision CRTC 96-2, 2 February 1996 (Decision 96-2). The Commission notes, however, that the proposed withdrawal of the Program to Australia and the United Kingdom filed under TN 526 represents a change from the original submission, and is of the view that it is appropriate to allow for further comment.
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7. In light of the foregoing, the Commission orders that:
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The proposed tariff revisions filed under TN 526, with the exception of the Program to Australia and the United Kingdom, are granted interim approval effective the date of this Order. Interested parties may file comments with respect to the tariff revisions proposed in TN 526, as amended by Teleglobe's letter of 21 April 1998, serving a copy on Teleglobe, within 10 days of the date of this Order. Teleglobe may file reply comments, serving a copy on all parties who filed comments, within five days thereafter.
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8. Documents are to be received, and not merely mailed, by the dates indicated.
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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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