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Order CRTC 2000-1101
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Ottawa, 4 December 2000
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Brooke Telecom Co-operative Ltd. Tariff Notice 9
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Extended toll-free calling area
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1.
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On 14 September 2000, Brooke Telecom Co-operative Ltd. filed, for Commission approval, an application proposing extended toll-free calling for its Inwood and Watford exchanges.
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2.
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Brooke proposed to: a) extend toll-free calling (i.e., extended area service or EAS) to London for customers of its Inwood exchange and to Forest and Arkona for customers of its Watford exchange; and b) reduce its contribution requirement equal to the amount of revenue which would have been generated had a local rate increase been implemented to cover the lost contribution resulting from the extended toll-free calling area.
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3.
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Regarding the EAS request, the Commission notes that the 60% community of interest (COI) level established for the independent telephone companies in Telecom Decision CRTC 96-6 has not been met between the Watford and Arkona exchanges. Consequently, the Commission denies Brooke's request to extend toll-free calling to Arkona for customers of its Watford exchange. However, the Commission invites Brooke to reapply should this COI level be met in the future.
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4.
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Although the cost of an EAS request is typically recovered through a rate increase borne by subscribers within the affected areas, the Commission considers Brooke's request to effect a reduction to its contribution requirement in its place as acceptable. Allowing Brooke this flexibility will assist the company in achieving the maximum 25% contribution requirement to total revenue requirement established by the CRTC for the independent telephone companies in Telecom Decision CRTC 99-5.
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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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