ARCHIVED - Order CRTC 2001-769

Order CRTC 2001-769

Ottawa, 11 October 2001

Saskatchewan Telecommunications - Payphone compensation per call and competitive payphone toll-free tracking report

Reference: Tariff notice 20

On 7 August 2001, Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) filed an application to introduce items 650.24 and 650.26, payphone compensation per call for toll-free calls originating from competitive payphones and a competitive payphone toll-free tracking report service, respectively, to its Competitor Access Tariff (CRTC 21414). SaskTel noted that the Commission approved tariffs for these services for Bell Canada, MTS Communications Inc., TELUS Communications Inc. and TELUS Communications (B.C.) Inc., and Northwestel Inc.

SaskTel's proposed tariff items are similar to those approved for the aforementioned companies, namely $0.25 per completed toll-free call and for the competitive payphone toll-free tracking report service, $250 per customer per month plus a usage-sensitive rate of $0.02 per call to a maximum of $500 per month, plus $0.01 per call for monthly usage over $500.

In a letter dated 31 August 2001, Call-Net Enterprises Inc. noted that the Commission approved similar tariffs for other incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) such as Bell Canada, Aliant Telecom Inc. and TELUS Communications Inc. However, Call-Net stated that this approval was granted without the benefit of actual experience. In Call-Net's view, actual experience indicates that interexchange carriers (IXCs) cannot effectively manage their toll-free business without the ability to identify payphone originating toll-free calls in real-time. Call-Net requested that before the Commission approves SaskTel's request, SaskTel should first demonstrate that it transmits the signalling information required for an IXC to identify which toll-free calls originate from payphones. If SaskTel cannot or will not provide the requested information, then Call-Net asked the Commission to deny SaskTel's application.

By letter dated 7 September 2001, SaskTel noted that Call-Net's request reflects issues that have been introduced to the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) Network Working Group in Call-Net's contribution NTCO143. SaskTel believed that the CISC is the appropriate forum in which to address toll-free interface issues and toll-free signalling concerns.

The Commission notes that on 30 April 2001, Call-Net submitted a letter on behalf of itself and Sprint Canada Inc. (Call-Net et al.) outlining deficiencies in the "TR-317+" network signaling protocol used for toll-free access between ILECs and IXCs. Call-Net et al. requested that the Commission direct CISC to examine how to implement a new signaling protocol (TR/GR-394) and to issue a report within 60 days for implementing TR/GR-394 protocol for toll-free interconnection.

In Decision CRTC 2001-606, Call-Net et al. - Pay telephone billing, invoicing and other issues, dated 25 September 2001, the Commission noted that discussions related to the request by Call-Net et al. had been initiated in the CISC network interconnection group. Given that discussions were underway, the Commission considered that a further 60 days from the date of Decision 2001-606 should give the committee adequate time to prepare its report. The Commission stated that it expects the report to identify the costs and benefits of implementing TR/GR-394 for toll-free interconnection and a timeline for implementation.

As the concerns raised by Call-Net in its 31 August 2001 letter have been addressed in Decision 2001-606, the Commission considers it appropriate to approve SaskTel's TN 20.

Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca