ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 2002-199

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Telecom Order CRTC 2002-199

Ottawa, 16 May 2002

Bell Canada
Reference: Tariff notice 6625

Migrating from a service provided in a minimum contract period

1.

The Commission denies an application by Bell Canada, dated 26 October 2001, to modify various items of its General Tariff relating to conversions or migrations from one service to another when the services are subject to the terms of a minimum contract period (MCP).

2.

On 29 November 2001, GT Group Telecom Services Corp. (Group Telecom) filed comments on the application. Group Telecom stated that in the proceeding initiated by Price cap review and related issues, Public Notice CRTC 2001-37, 13 March 2001 (the PN 2001-37 proceeding), it had presented extensive information associated with the market dominance that Bell Canada and other incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) maintained by using MCPs. In addition, Group Telecom reiterated the proposals it had made in the PN 2001-37 proceeding regarding restrictions on the use of long-term contracts. Group Telecom also argued that, pending a decision by the Commission in the PN 2001-37 proceeding, the ILECs should not be allowed to change any rates, charges, terms or conditions associated with MCPs.

3.

In its reply comment, dated 4 December 2001, Bell Canada submitted that while a pending decision in the PN 2001-37 proceeding might, in some instances, necessitate a delay in the disposition of certain initiatives, to do so for filings such as its 26 October 2001 application would be unwarranted. Bell Canada also expressed the view that such proposals would provide customers with greater choice as well as service migration alternatives, which would help minimize the potential financial impact on customers.

4.

The Commission notes that the use of Centrex MCPs by certain ILECs is under review in the PN 2001-37 proceeding. Accordingly, the Commission considers that it would be inappropriate to approve any changes to the MCP terms for Centrex service until it renders its decision in the PN 2001-37 proceeding.

Secretary General

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Date Modified: 2002-05-16

Date modified: