|
|
Telecom Order CRTC 2003-390
|
|
|
Ottawa, 25 September 2003
|
|
|
Local payphone competition in the territory of TELUS Communications (Québec) Inc. - Request by Bell Canada
|
|
|
Reference: 8622-C12-14/01
|
|
|
The application
|
|
1.
|
The Commission received a request by Bell Canada dated 10 April 2003, proposing that the Commission give expeditious interim approval to the tariffs for local pay telephone access lines filed by TELUS Communications (Québec) Inc. (TELUS Québec) in the course of the proceeding initiated by Implementation of competition in the local exchange and local payphone markets in the territories of Télébec and TELUS (Québec), Public Notice CRTC 2001-69, 14 June 2001 (the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding).
|
|
2.
|
Local pay telephone access line service provides competitive pay telephone service providers (CPTSPs) with access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for the purpose of offering pay telephone service.
|
|
3.
|
Bell Canada requested that the Commission grant interim approval to TELUS Québec's proposed local pay telephone access line tariffs, as filed in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding. In this regard, Bell Canada noted that, pursuant to Commission approves terms and conditions for local exchange and local payphone competition in the territories of TELUS Communications (Québec) Inc. and Télébec ltée, Order CRTC 2001-761, 3 October 2001 (Order 2001-761), competition was permitted in the local pay telephone market in TELUS Québec's territory as of 1 September 2002. Bell Canada noted, however, that the record in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding initiated to address the local pay telephone access rates in TELUS Québec's territory only closed on 8 January 2003. Bell Canada also noted that, in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding, TELUS Québec's proposed local pay telephone access tariffs were identical to those approved for Bell Canada.
|
|
4.
|
The Commission received comments from TELUS Québec on 4 June 2003.
|
|
|
Reply comments
|
|
5.
|
TELUS Québec objected to the request being made by Bell Canada. TELUS Québec argued that the approval of the local pay telephone access line tariffs was associated with the implementation of local competition in its territory. TELUS Québec noted that it has proposed local exchange and local pay telephone access tariffs associated with the establishment of Phase II costs and local loop rates by band as part of the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding which have yet to receive Commission approval. TELUS Québec considered that it would be premature and unjust for the Commission to grant interim approval to the pay telephone access line tariffs without having disposed of all the tariffs submitted in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding. TELUS Québec further argued that interim approval of the pay telephone tariff would only benefit Bell Canada.
|
|
|
Commission analysis and determination
|
|
6.
|
In Order 2001-761, the Commission determined that competition in the local exchange and local pay telephone markets would be permitted in TELUS Québec's and Société en commandite Télébec's operating territories starting 1 September 2002.
|
|
7.
|
The Commission notes that the scope of the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding encompassed the establishment of the rates, terms and conditions associated with the introduction of local exchange and local pay telephone competition, including local pay telephone access line tariffs. The Commission notes that a decision in that proceeding is not expected before the end of 2003.
|
|
8.
|
The Commission notes that, until a tariff for local pay telephone access line service is approved for TELUS Québec, CPTSPs are denied access to the PSTN in order to compete in that company's serving territory for the purpose of offering local pay telephone service.
|
|
9.
|
The Commission notes that TELUS Québec's proposed local pay telephone access line tariffs, filed in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding, are identical in all respects to those approved for Bell Canada and is of the view that these tariffs could be used in the interim to allow CPTSPs immediate access to the PSTN in TELUS Québec's serving territory.
|
|
10.
|
In light of the above, the Commission approves Bell Canada's applicationrequest. Accordingly, the Commission grants interim approval, effective the date of this order, to TELUS Québec's proposed local pay telephone access line tariffs, as filed in the Public Notice 2001-69 proceeding.
|
|
11.
|
The Commission directsTELUS Québec to issue tariff pages within 10 days of the date of this order.
|
|
|
Secretary General
|
|
|
This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
|
Date Modified: 2003-09-25