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Order CRTC 2000-1002
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Ottawa, 3 November 2000
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CRTC approves contribution exemption for Trilogic single-hop Centrex services
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Reference: 8626-T58-01/00
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The CRTC approves a contribution exemption for single-hop Centrex services provided to Trilogic by Bell Canada.
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1.
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By letter dated 2 August 2000, Trilogic Communications, Inc. applied for contribution exemption with respect to Centrex services used to provide local or single-hop services. Trilogic provided an affidavit affirming that the exemption is requested for future Centrex service arrangements. Trilogic advised that the Centrex systems involved will be configured so certain outgoing lines (i.e., public switched telephone network [PSTN] connections) will permit only single-hop calls that should be eligible for an exemption. At the same time, other PSTN connections will be configured to permit multiple-hop calls that will attract contribution charges.
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2.
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By letter dated 17 August 2000, Bell Canada noted that the affidavit is deficient because it should state that no interexchange or local private lines are connected to the Centrex services to permit direct access to interexchange networks provided by Trilogic or any other service providers such that contribution charges would not be assessed where applicable.
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3.
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Bell Canada stated that it has reviewed its files and noted that although the Centrex services are already in place, the service configurations described in Trilogic's affidavit, with the exemption of the Mirabel system, have not yet been put in place. Bell Canada noted that it can verify that the Mirabel system is configured and will continue to be in compliance with the requirements for a contribution exemption.
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4.
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With respect to the other Centrex systems, Bell Canada concluded that the request for an exemption would best be characterized as a request for advance approval of an exemption since they have not yet been configured in the manner described in Trilogic's affidavit. Bell Canada also noted that the programming of the type of Centrex systems that Trilogic employs at these locations would be controlled by Trilogic, not Bell Canada. Accordingly, Bell Canada stated that it would not be able to verify that these configurations will be compliant with the requirements for a contribution exemption after they have been reconfigured. In such cases, Bell Canada submitted a technical audit would be the appropriate requirement after the systems are reconfigured.
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5.
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In light of the above, Bell Canada agreed with the request for a contribution exemption with respect to the Mirabel system. Regarding the other systems, Bell Canada agreed with the request for advance approval of an exemption, subject to the submission of a satisfactory technical audit after the systems have been reconfigured. The audit should confirm that they are configured to be compliant with the requirements for a contribution exemption, and that appropriate control procedures are in place to ensure that the systems remain compliant.
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6.
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Bell Canada also submitted that such approval should be subject to the receipt of revised affidavits. The affidavits should identify the services in question and should affirm that no interexchange or local private lines are connected to the Centrex systems that would allow traffic to be carried over alternate networks to avoid the contribution charge that applies.
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Mirabel site
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7.
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The Commission notes that Bell Canada controls the programming on the Mirabel Centrex that is currently in place, and therefore can provide carrier verification of the routing between single and multiple-hop circuits. The Commission is of the view that an affidavit would meet its requirements, since Bell Canada can provide carrier verification. However, as noted by Bell Canada, the affidavit is deficient. It should state that no interexchange or local private lines are connected to the Centrex services to permit direct access to interexchange networks provided by Trilogic or any other service provider such that contribution charges would not be assessed where applicable.
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8.
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In light of the foregoing, the Commission approves the application for single-hop circuits in Mirabel effective the date of application, pursuant to Effective date of contribution exemption, Telecom Public Notice CRTC 95-26, dated 12 June 1995. The approval is subject to Trilogic providing a revised affidavit stating that no interexchange or local private lines are connected to the Centrex services to permit direct access to interexchange networks provided by Trilogic or any other services provider such that contribution charges would not be assessed where applicable. The revised affidavit is to be provided within 30 days from the date of this order.
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Other sites (Rawdon, Ste-Madeleine, Beauharnois)
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9.
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With respect to the other systems, the Commission grants advance approval, subject to the submission of a satisfactory technical audit as soon as possible after the systems have been reconfigured. The audit is required because although Bell Canada would initially set up the systems, the customer would be able to change the programming at any time. The audit should confirm that the systems are configured to be compliant with the requirements for a contribution exemption, and that appropriate control procedures are in place to ensure that the systems remain compliant.
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Secretary General
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This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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