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Telecom Order CRTC 2003-455
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Ottawa, 10 November 2003
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Cochrane Public Utilities Commission
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Reference: Tariff Notice 41
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Key-Line business rates
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Cochrane Public Utilities Commission (Cochrane), dated 2 October 2003, to revise item 3, Multi-Line Telephone Systems, under section 240, of its General Tariff in order to increase its Key-Line Business rates from $31.00 to $36.00.
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2.
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In support of its proposed increase to business rates, Cochrane submitted that: (a) pursuant to Regulatory framework for the small incumbent telephone companies, Decision CRTC 2001-756, 14 December 2001 (Decision 2001-756), its subsidy was significantly reduced; (b) the rate increases would partially offset the subsidy reduction and would assist the company to pay for the costs of operating and maintaining the local network, regular capital upgrades and its Service Improvement Program; and (c) the rates proposed are less than those of other small independents.
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3.
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The Commission received no comments with respect to the application.
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4.
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In Decision 2001-756, the Commission grouped services into four separate baskets each with their own pricing constraints.
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5.
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In Decision 2001-756, the Commission assigned business individual, multi-line and party line services and all mandatory local services to the second service basket and determined that rates for these services would be permitted to increase each year by no more than inflation. The Commission directed all companies, whose monthly business rates were below $22.75 to file for approval proposed increases in business rates to reach a minimum of $22.75. The Commission stated however that in the event that a company considered a monthly business rate of $22.75 or its existing rate too low it could file, for approval, proposed monthly business rates beyond the level of $22.75. The Commission further stated that such proposals were to be accompanied by supporting rationale.
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6.
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The Commission considers that Cochrane's rationale provided in support of its proposed business rates is reasonable.
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7.
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In light of the above, the Commission approves Cochrane's application. The revisions take effect as of the date of this order.
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8.
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Cochrane is to issue a revised tariff page forthwith to reflect these changes.
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Secretary General
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This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2003-11-10