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Telecom Order CRTC 2008-63 |
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Ottawa, 4 March 2008 |
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Videotron Ltd. |
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Reference: Tariff Notice 22 |
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Revisions to Competitive Local Exchange Carrier General Tariff |
1. |
On 25 January 2008, Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Videotron Ltd. (Videotron), filed an application with the Commission in which it proposed revisions to its Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) General Tariff. These revisions would modify the interconnection rates applicable in the incumbent operating territories of Bell Canada and Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership (collectively, Bell Canada et al.), Télébec, Limited Partnership (Télébec), and TELUS Communications Company (TCC) in its operating territory of Quebec. Specifically, Videotron proposed to harmonize the rates for the interconnection services that it charges to interexchange service providers (IXSPs) throughout its serving territory. |
2. |
Videotron noted that its CLEC General Tariff, approved by the Commission on an interim basis in Telecom Order 2007-422, contains different rates for the interconnection services provided to IXSPs in each of the above-noted incumbent local exchange carriers' (ILECs) serving territories. Videotron submitted that these different rates create billing problems, since the charges billed to IXSPs vary depending on the customer's location. Videotron also submitted that its billing system cannot handle more than one charge per service. Videotron further submitted that accommodating multiple territory-specific IXSP-related charges would require expensive billing system modifications. |
3. |
Videotron proposed to adopt a single rate equal to the lowest one charged by Bell Canada et al., Télébec, or TCC for each interconnection service provided to IXSPs throughout its serving territory. Videotron submitted that it would, in effect, give up small amounts of revenue in order to avoid substantial billing system investments. The company also requested that the Commission approve its application with an effective date of 1 August 2007. |
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Commission's analysis and determinations |
4. |
In Telecom Decision 97-8, the Commission required all CLECs to file proposed tariffs for interconnection services provided to IXSPs at terms and conditions equivalent to those contained in the ILECs' tariffs, or to justify any departure from those terms and conditions. |
5. |
The Commission considers that Videotron's proposal complies with the determinations set out in Telecom Decision 97-8 and considers that the rates proposed by Videotron reflect the lowest rates currently approved for Bell Canada et al., Télébec, and TCC for each of the interconnection services they provide to IXSPs, as contained in the CLEC Model Tariff Version 29. |
6. |
The Commission notes that Télébec's current interconnection services rates came into effect 1 August 2007, pursuant to Telecom Decision 2007-60. The Commission considers that applying this effective date to Videotron's application would allow its rates to align with the lowest effective rates of Bell Canada et al., Télébec, and TCC. |
7. |
In light of the above, the Commission approves on an interim basis Videotron's application, effective 1 August 2007. |
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Secretary General |
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Related documents |
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- Videotron Ltd - CLEC rates for interconnection, Telecom Order CRTC 2007-422, 13 November 2007
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- Follow-up to Decision 2007-27 - Show cause submission related to the application of the price cap regime to Télébec, Limited Partnership, Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-60, 30 July 2007, as amended by Telecom Decision CRTC 2007-60-1, 10 August 2007
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- Local Competition, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-8, 1 May 1997
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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 |