ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 2002-330

Telecom Order CRTC 2002-330

Ottawa, 5 August 2002

TELUS Communications Inc.

Reference: Tariff notice 36

Special number search

1.

The Commission received an application by TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI), dated 26 February 2002, to combine General Tariff item 195, Special Number Service, of the former TCI, and Supplemental Services item 144, Special Number Service, of the former TELUS Communications (B.C.) Inc. (the former TCBC), and to transfer the combined items into a new TCI General Tariff item 307, Special Number Search.

2.

The special number search service provides customers with the opportunity to make a specific request for the last four digits of their telephone number.

3.

TCI submitted that the existing tariff items for the special number search service are essentially equivalent in its Alberta and British Columbia serving territories, with the exception of the currently approved rates and the special number plus option that TCI offers only to customers in the British Columbia serving territory. As a result, TCI proposed to align the special number search services in both serving territories by removing the existing differences, as follows:

Special number plus option

4.

TCI noted that this option provides customers with alpha-numeric listings in the white and yellow pages at a monthly rate of $3.35 for residential customers and $7.85 for business customers. TCI noted that this option is offered in addition to the regular numeric directory listing that is provided at no charge. TCI submitted that since it had sold its directory publishing business to Verizon Information Services and the special number plus option is not part of the basic service obligation, it was no longer appropriate to continue providing this service under tariff.

Special number search rates

5.

TCI proposed to replace existing rates with a one-time service charge of $100.00 for business customers and a one-time service charge of $50.00 for residential customers in the British Columbia and Alberta serving territories.

6.

TCI further proposed to introduce a one-time service charge of $25.00 if a customer does not accept a telephone number offered in response to a request, or if the requested number search conducted by the company is unsuccessful.

7.

The Commission notes that the affected customers have been notified of the proposed withdrawal of the special number plus option.

8.

The Commission also notes that in the British Columbia serving territory, the proposed revised rates for the special number search service would eliminate a monthly rate of $4.50 and increase the one-time service charge for business customers from $35.00 to $100.00, and increase the one-time service charge for residence customers from $35.00 to $50.00. In the Alberta serving territory, the proposed revised rates for the special number search service would increase the one-time service charge for business customers from $50.00 to $100.00, while the one-time service charge for residence customers would remain at $50.00.

9.

The Commission considers that the proposed revised rates for the special number search service are reasonable, given the discretionary nature of the service. In addition, the charge proposed by TCI for an unsuccessful search or a search that is not accepted by the customer recognizes the costs to the company that are associated with such searches.

10.

The Commission also notes that no comments were received with respect to the application.

11.

In light of the above, the Commission approves TCI's application. The revisions take effect as of the date of this order.

Secretary General