ARCHIVED - Letter
This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.
Ottawa, 24 November 2008
File Number: 8665-T66-200806599
BY E- MAIL
Mr. Terry Connolly
Director, Regulatory Affairs
TELUS Communications Company
21-10020-100 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 0N5
regulatory.affairs@telus.com
Dear Mr. Connolly:
Re: Distribution of TELUS Communications Company's residential telephone directory listings
On 25 April 2008, TELUS Communications Company ( TCC ) informed the Commission of its intent to modify its distribution policy for residential telephone directory listings (the white pages) in certain forborne metropolitan centres, [1] such that mass distribution would occur on a 24-month cycle (biennially), rather than annually.
TCC noted that individual business listings formerly included in the white pages would now be included as part of the annual business telephone directory that would still be distributed annually.
TCC noted that its proposed directory distribution policy was similar to Bell Canada 's residential-only white pages biennial distribution, which had been accepted by the Commission by way of a Commission letter dated 11 May 2007 .
TCC proposed to adopt the following safeguards committed to by Bell Canada :
• a notice on the front cover of the white pages directory indicating that it was valid for 24 months and should be kept until the next biennial distribution date;
• a prominent notice placed approximately every 12 pages within the white pages advising subscribers of the biennial distribution of the white pages directory policy, along with information on how interested subscribers could request an updated annual copy of the white pages; and
• a business reply card within the white pages providing details on how interested subscribers could request an updated annual copy of the white pages.
TCC also indicated that, in alternating years during which the white pages would not be distributed, it would provide a billing insert to subscribers informing them that their current copy of the white pages should be retained for an additional year and how they could obtain an updated, annual version if they so choose. The billing insert would also specify the means by which customers could request an updated copy of the white pages (i.e. via a toll-free number, a business reply card included in the white pages, or directly at any TCC retail outlet).
With respect to the emergency numbers currently contained in the white pages, TCC indicated that these numbers would be updated and distributed annually in the yellow pages to all residential subscribers.
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) submitted comments regarding TCC's proposal in letters dated 25 April and 15 May 2008. PIAC submitted that item 116 of TCC's General Terms of Service [1] required the company to distribute its white pages annually or to distribute them more frequently if there were updates published within that year.
PIAC also submitted that reducing the frequency of distribution of the white pages would affect the timing of when customers are made aware of the mandatory disclosures found in the initial pages of the directory.
Commission staff notes that item 116 of TCC's General Terms of Service applies only in regulated areas. Accordingly, Commission staff considers that the frequency of the distribution of telephone directories as set out in TCC's General Terms of Service do not apply in the forborne areas which are the subject of TCC's proposal.
Commission staff notes that in Telecom Decision 2006-15[2], the Commission maintained the entitlement of ILEC residential customers in forborne markets to receive copies of the white and yellow page directories and a primary listing in the white page directory, free of charge. Commission staff also notes that TCC will implement safeguards and billing inserts to ensure that TCC residential customers in forborne markets will be able to receive copies of the white and yellow page directories as required by Telecom Decision 2006-15.
Commission staff considers that TCC's policy to update the emergency numbers annually in the yellow pages, which will continue to be distributed on an annual basis to all residential subscribers, is appropriate.
Commission staff notes that should TCC wish to implement a similar directory distribution policy for any regulated markets, TCC would be required to apply for an amendment to Item 116 of its General Terms of Service.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:
Lynne Fancy
A/Director General - Policy, Decisions and Operations
cc: Public Interest Advocacy Centre
piac@piac.ca
[1] Vancouver/Burnaby, Richmond (including Delta), Coquitlam (including Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody), West Vancouver/North Vancouver, and Langley (including Surrey and White Rock).
[1] I tem 116 of TCC's General Terms of Service states that each year, or at any other time that the telephone directories are published, it will, without charge, deliver to each customer for each of the customer's telephone lines, both white and yellow pages for their districts.
[2] Forbearance from the regulation of retail local exchange services , Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15, 6 April 2006, as modified pursuant to the Order Varying Telecom Decision CRTC 2006-15, P.C. 2007-532.
- Date modified: