|
|
Telecom Order CRTC 2006-313
|
|
|
Ottawa, 16 November 2006
|
|
|
Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership
|
|
|
Reference: Tariff Notice 30
|
|
|
Resale and Sharing, Zero-Dialed Emergency Call Routing Service, and VoIP 9-1-1 Call Routing Service
|
|
1.
|
The Commission received an application by Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership (Bell Aliant), dated 23 August 2006, proposing revisions to General Tariff item 24, Resale and Sharing, Access Services Tariff item 315, Zero-Dialed Emergency Call Routing Service, and Access Services Tariff item 320, Voice over IP 9-1-1 Call Routing Service. In its application, Bell Aliant proposed to modify the resale and sharing conditions with regards to voice over Internet Protocol service providers (VoIPSPs) consistent with the Commission's direction in VoIP 9-1-1 call routing, Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-5, 30 January 2006 (Decision 2006-5), and to increase the rates for zero-dialed emergency call routing service (0-ECRS) and make it available to VoIPSPs. Bell Aliant also proposed to add a note to the tariff for voice over IP 9-1-1 call routing service (VoIPCRS) to the effect that this service was discretionary and that it was offered in parallel with 0-ECRS.
|
|
2.
|
Bell Aliant noted that it had started charging the proposed rates for 0-ECRS, coincident with the approval of Bell Canada's corresponding modifications made to 0-ECRS in Telecom Order CRTC 2006-168, 6 July 2006. In addition to seeking approval of the proposed rates, Bell Aliant sought Commission ratification, pursuant to subsection 25(4) of the Telecommunications Act (the Act), for the charging of the rates for these services prior to the date of the Commission's approval.
|
|
3.
|
Bell Aliant indicated that it had filed its application in order to align its tariffs with the corresponding Bell Canada tariffs.
|
|
4.
|
In Telecom Order CRTC 2006-236, 7 September 2006, the Commission granted interim approval to Bell Aliant's tariff application.
|
|
5.
|
The Commission received no comments with respect to this application.
|
|
6.
|
The Commission notes that the rates, terms, and conditions proposed by Bell Aliant in its application are identical to those in Bell Canada's tariffs for the same services. The Commission considers this to be appropriate.
|
|
7.
|
The Commission notes that in Bell Canada - VoIP 9-1-1 call routing service, Telecom Order CRTC 2006-254, 29 September 2006 (Order 2006-254), Bell Canada was required to make VoIPCRS available to the same service providers that are eligible to obtain 0-ECRS1 for the routing of their customers' circuit-switched or VoIP-based emergency calls. The Commission considers that the same requirement should apply to Bell Aliant.
|
|
8.
|
The Commission notes that the company requested ratification, pursuant to subsection 25(4) of the Act, for the charging of the rates for these services prior to the Commission's approval.
|
|
9.
|
The Commission notes that subsection 25(4) of the Act states that the Commission may ratify the charging of a rate by a Canadian carrier otherwise than in accordance with a tariff approved by the Commission if the Commission is satisfied that the rate was charged because of an error or other circumstance that warrants the ratification. The Commission notes Bell Aliant's statement that it had been charging these rates since the company was first established. Given that the rates charged by Bell Aliant were identical to Bell Canada's tariffed rates, the Commission considers that it would be appropriate to ratify the charging of these rates for the period between the establishment of the company and the date this application was granted interim approval.
|
|
10.
|
In light of the above, the Commission:
|
|
|
(i) approves on a final basis Bell Aliant's application;
|
|
|
(ii) ratifies the charging of the rates for 0-ECRS approved in this Order from 7 July to 7 September 2006; and
|
|
|
(iii) directs Bell Aliant to modify Access Services Tariff item 320, Voice over IP 9-1-1 Call Routing Service, to make VoIPCRS available to the same service providers that are eligible to obtain 0-ECRS for the routing of their customers' circuit-switched or VoIP-based emergency calls.
|
|
11.
|
Revised tariff pages are to be issued within 30 days of the date of this Order.
|
|
|
Secretary General
|
|
|
This document is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
|
|
|
__________
Footnote:
1 0‑ECRS is available to competitive local exchange carriers, wireless service providers, interexchange carriers, competitive pay telephone service providers, VoIP service providers, and alternate operator service providers.
|
Date Modified: 2006-11-16