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Telecom Order CRTC 2007-350
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Ottawa, 20 September 2007
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MTS Allstream Inc.
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Reference: Tariff Notice 626
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Calling Features
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Introduction
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1.
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The Commission received an application by MTS Allstream Inc. (MTS Allstream), dated 30 May 2007, proposing revisions to General Tariff item 2142 - Calling Features, and Special Services and Facilities Tariff item 9710 - Wire Watch Service, in order to increase the rates for various optional calling features, including call waiting, call forwarding, call display and three-way calling. MTS Allstream noted that all of the optional local services included in its application had been assigned to the Uncapped Services basket in Telecom Decision 2007-27.
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2.
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The Commission approved MTS Allstream's application on an interim basis, effective 1 August 2007, in Telecom Order 2007-209.
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3.
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The Commission issuedTelecom Order 2007-245 on 16 July 2007, approving MTS Allstream's application on a final basis. The Commission, inadvertently, did not take into account comments it had received from Wantok Enterprises Ltd. (Wantok), the Grunthal Chamber of Commerce (Grunthal), Oaklane Grocery, Car Wash & Bar (Oaklane Grocery), Grunthal Emergency Vehicles, and Lemazing Mechanical, in its consideration of the application.
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4.
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The Commission therefore considers MTS Allstream's application on a de novo basis in this Order.
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Positions of parties
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5.
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Oaklane Grocery, Grunthal Emergency Vehicles, and Lemazing Mechanical submitted that MTS Allstream's application should be denied.
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6.
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Wantok submitted that call forwarding and three-way calling should be returned to the Capped Services basket. Grunthal submitted that call waiting and three-way calling were essential to business and should be returned to the Capped Services basket.
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7.
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Wantok submitted that any rate increase should have an upward cap of 3 to 4 percent per year. Grunthal, Grunthal Emergency Vehicles, and Lemazing Mechanical also added that rate increases should be held at the current inflation rate.
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8.
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In reply comments dated 5 July 2007, MTS Allstream submitted that local optional services were classified as uncapped services since 2002, and that no upward pricing constraints existed for these services.
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Commission's analysis and determinations
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9.
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In Telecom Decision 2002-34, the Commission assigned business optional local services to the Uncapped Services basket.
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10.
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Further, in Telecom Decision 2007-27, the Commission established the current price cap regime applicable to large incumbent local exchange carriers and, among other things, assigned all residential and business optional local services to the Uncapped Services basket.
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11.
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The Commission notes that, as the rates for optional calling features are uncapped, no upward pricing constraints apply to rate changes for such services. Accordingly, the Commission considers that the rate increases proposed by MTS Allstream for optional calling features are consistent with Telecom Decision 2007-27.
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12.
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In light of the above, the Commission approves, on a de novo basis, MTS Allstream's application.
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Secretary General
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Related documents
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- Telecom Order CRTC 2007-245, 16 July 2007
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- Telecom Order CRTC 2007-209, 11 June 2007
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Price cap framework for large incumbent local exchange carriers, Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-27, 30 April 2007
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Regulatory framework for second price cap period, Telecom Decision CRTC 2002-34, 30 May 2002, as amended by Telecom Decision CRTC 2002-34-1, 15 June 2002
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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
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