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Order CRTC 2000-206
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Ottawa, 17 March 2000
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Ontario Telephone Association
Tariff Notices 50 and 51
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Rates increased and exemptions revised for Operator Assistance and Directory Assistance services
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The Commission approves, by majority vote, a $0.20 rate increase for Operator Assistance (OA) and Directory Assistance (DA) services provided by the members of the Ontario Telephone Association (OTA). The Commission also approves the changes to the respective members' OA and DA exemption eligibility criteria.
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1.
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On 5 October 1999, OTA filed Tariff Notices 50 and 51 on behalf of its members, which proposed to:
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a) increase the rate from $0.75 to $0.95 for DA (both local and long distance) and OA services offered by OTA members except Mornington Communications Co-operative Limited, Quadro Communications Co-operative Inc. and Tuckersmith Communications Co-operative Limited; and
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b) align each OTA member's exemption eligibility criteria for its OA and DA services with those approved for Bell Canada in Telecom Order CRTC 99-741 dated 21 July 1999.
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2.
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The OTA indicated that:
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a) for most of its members the cost of providing these services is greater than $0.75. The Commission notes that the OTA submitted costing information in support of the proposed rate; and
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b) the filing is an attempt by the OTA members to lower their individual contribution rates by bringing rates closer to cost.
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3.
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With regards to the exemption eligible criteria for each OTA member's OA and DA services, the Commission notes that Bell Canada provides these services under the terms and conditions outlined in the interconnection agreement between itself and the independent telephone company. Accordingly, the Commission finds it appropriate to align the exemption eligible criteria for the OTA members with those approved for Bell Canada in Order 99-741. Moreover, the Commission approves this portion of the OTA's application effective the date of this order and directs its members to issue tariff pages forthwith reflecting these approved changes.
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4.
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With regards to the $0.20 rate increase, the Commission considers that:
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a) the costing information submitted by the OTA reasonably reflects the cost of providing the services;
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b) it is reasonable and more appropriate to recover related costs for these services from users rather than from the general body of subscribers, many of whom never or rarely use the services; and
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c) this is an acceptable response towards achieving the Commission objective, set out in paragraph 100 of Review of contribution regime of independent telephone companies in Ontario and Quebec, Telecom Decision CRTC 99-5 dated 21 April 1999, of lowering the contribution requirement to a maximum of 25% of the total revenue requirement amount.
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5.
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In light of the above, the Commission approves, by majority vote, the rate increase from $0.75 to $0.95 for OTA's OA and DA services.
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6.
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The Commission directs the applicable OTA members to issue forthwith revised tariff pages, effective the date of this order, reflecting the approval of a $0.95 rate for its OA services and the new exemption eligibility criteria.
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Secretary General
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This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be viewed at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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