ARCHIVED - Telecom Decision CRTC 2002-20

Telecom Decision CRTC 2002-20

Ottawa, 11 April 2002

TELUS Communications Inc. - Billed number screening database access service

Reference: TCI tariff notice (TN) 417 and TCBC TN 4160

Background

1.

The billed number screening (BNS) database identifies telephone numbers of end customers of local exchange carriers (LECs) and wireless service providers (WSPs) to which bill-to-third party or collect message toll charges should not be billed.

2.

BNS database access service allows LECs and WSPs to list such numbers in the BNS database. Bell Canada currently provides the BNS database access service on behalf of the former Stentor members, including TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI). Interexchange carriers that use interconnecting circuits with trunk-side access can use a common channel signalling (CCS7) message to query or "dip into" the BNS database to determine if such restrictions have been placed on the called number.

The applications

3.

On 16 August 2001, TCI filed proposed tariff amendments to the former TCI's Carrier Access Tariff and General Tariff to reflect a change in the provisioning of BNS database access service.

4.

TCI stated that it was expected that the Stentor BNS database would wind down by the end of March 2002. TCI indicated that it had therefore developed the capability to provide BNS database access service for its serving territories in Alberta and British Columbia. TCI proposed to offer BNS database access service on a national basis, and maintain the same service description, conditions and rates as are set out in Bell Canada's Access Services Tariff for Interconnection with Other Service Providers.

5.

In addition, on 16 August 2001, TCI filed proposed tariff amendments to the Carrier Access Tariff of the former TELUS Communications (B.C.) Inc. (TCBC) to reflect the fact that that BNS database access service would be offered and billed by TCI.

Comments on the applications

6.

In comments received on 12 September 2001, Microcell Telecommunications Inc. (Microcell) asked the Commission to incorporate these tariff notices into a further proceeding.

7.

At paragraph 42 of CRTC sets final rates for payphone access lines, Order CRTC 2000-858, 15 September 2000, the Commission stated that, "[I] In light of the break up of the Stentor alliance, the Commission is of the preliminary view that the current arrangements and the proposed rate structure may no longer be appropriate. In light of these concerns, the Commission will keep the rates interim at this time for BNS database service."

8.

Microcell submitted that it would be inequitable for the Commission to rule on the tariff amendments proposed by TCI and TCBC in advance of, and in isolation from, the other matters that would be addressed in the further proceeding that Microcell requested.

9.

Microcell also asked TCI to provide further clarifications regarding the operation of TCI's BNS database relative to the operation of Bell Canada's BNS database.

10.

In TCI's 22 October 2001 reply to Microcell's comments, TCI submitted that it needs to develop and operate its own independent calling card and BNS database for telephone numbers that belong solely to TCI and its affiliates in order to place collect and bill-to-third party call-billing restrictions on its end user telephone lines and calling cards. TCI further submitted that the TCI database will be independent of Bell Canada's BNS database, and will hold all numbers across Canada that belong to TCI and its affiliates. Furthermore, TCI indicated that it will provide database query services under the proposed tariffs.

11.

TCI stated that since it did not have the required capability to list numbers for WSPs and competitive local exchange carriers operating in its territory, the existing Bell Canada BNS database processes would continue to be required.

12.

On 25 October 2002, Microcell submitted that, in light of the information provided by TCI in its reply comments, it was no longer opposed to Commission approval of the tariff amendments proposed by TCI and TCBC.

Commission determination

13.

The Commission notes that the pricing of Competitor Services, which include the BNS database access service, was an issue in the proceeding initiated by Price cap review and related issues, Public Notice CRTC 2001-37, 13 March 2001. The pricing of Competitor Services will be addressed in the decision in that proceeding.

14.

The Commission considers that it is appropriate to grant approval of the proposed tariff revisions. However, given remaining unresolved issues concerning the rate structure of the BNS database access service, the Commission approves these tariffs on an interim basis, effective as of the date of this decision.

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