ARCHIVED -  Telecom Costs Order CRTC 99-2

Telecom Costs Order

Ottawa, 26 February 1999

Telecom Costs Order CRTC 99-2

In re: Participation in the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC)

File No.: 96-2376

1.Application for costs by the Consumers' Association of Canada, the Fédération nationale des associations de consommateurs du Québec and the National Anti-Poverty Organization (CAC/FNACQ/NAPO).

2.On 24 November 1998, CAC/FNACQ/ NAPO filed an application for costs in respect of its participation in the CISC process from 1 September 1997 to the present.

3.The Applicant groups state that they have already been awarded costs for their participation in this proceeding up to August 31, 1997 by way of Telecom Costs Order CRTC 98-3, 29 January 1998. The groups have concentrated their efforts on the Customer Transfer Sub-Working Group, which they considered to be the key forum in which consumer issues would arise, as well as in the CISC, Coordinating Committee, Master Agreement subworking group (SWG) and Building Access and Inside Wiring SWG. The groups submit that they represent a substantial body of affected customers, have participated responsibly and have contributed to a better understanding of the issues.

4.Stentor Resource Centre Inc. (Stentor) filed a letter dated 8 December 1998 stating that it has no comments to make on the application and that any costs awarded in this proceeding should be payable by the respondents named, and in the same proportions set out, in Telecom Costs Order CRTC 98-3.

5.The Commission considers that CAC/FNACQ/NAPO represent consumers who have an interest in the matters being discussed and resolved in the CISC process. In the Commission's view, CAC/FNACQ/NAPO have participated responsibly in the CISC process and have contributed to a better understanding of the issues.

6.The Commission notes that no party has objected to the application.

DIRECTION AS TO COSTS

7.The application of CAC/FNACQ/NAPO for an award of costs in respect of its participation in the CISC process from 1 September 1997 to the present is hereby approved.

8.Consistent with its determinations in Telecom Costs Order CRTC 98-3, modified to reflect the change in status of fONOROLA Inc., the Commission considers that costs awarded herein should be paid to CAC/FNACQ/NAPO by the following respondents, in the proportions indicated:

Stentor 55%
CCTA 13%
AT&T Canada LDS 4%
Bell Mobility 4%
Call-Net Enterprises 4%
Clearnet Communications Inc. 4%
MetroNet Communications Corp. 4%
Microcell Connexions Inc. 4%
Rogers Cantel 4%
TelcoPlus 4%

100%

9.Costs awarded herein shall be subject to taxation in accordance with the CRTC Telecommunications Rules of Procedure.

10.Costs awarded herein shall be taxed by Carolyn Pinsky.

11.CAC/FNACQ/NAPO shall, within 30 days of the issue of this Order, submit a bill of costs and an affidavit of disbursements directly to the Taxing Officer, serving a copy on each respondent.

12.The respondents may, within two weeks of receipt of those documents, file comments directly with the Taxing Officer with respect to the costs claimed, serving a copy on CAC/FNACQ/NAPO.

13.CAC/FNACQ/NAPO may, within two weeks of receipt of any comments by the respondents, file a reply to the respondents' comments, serving a copy on each of the respondents in question.

14.All documents to be filed or served by a specific date must actually be received, and not merely mailed, by that date.

John Keogh
Acting Secretary General

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