ARCHIVED - Letter

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Ottawa, 12 June 2009

File Number: 8663-C12-200907058

By Electronic mail

To: Attached distribution list.

Re: Small ILEC Regulatory Framework

On 1 May 2009, the Commission received a letter from the Canadian Independent Telephone Company – Joint Task Force (CITC-JTF) requesting that the Commission delay the launch of the upcoming review of the regulatory framework for the small incumbent local exchange carriers (small ILECs). The request was made for a period of 45 days beginning 1 May 2009, during which time the CITC-JTF would conduct a series of meetings with Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership, Bell Canada, KMTS and NorthernTel Limited Partnership (Bell et al.) to discuss certain key components of the small ILEC framework. The CITC-JTF had stated that it anticipated developing a proposal for submission to the Commission in which certain key components would be endorsed by both parties.

On 5 May 2009, Commission staff responded to that request stating it was reasonable, and encouraged the parties to work cooperatively to resolve issues in advance of the Commission’s review.

In a letter dated 10 June 2009, the CITC-JTF requested additional time to facilitate its discussions with Bell et al. The CITC-JTF stated it would strive to conclude discussions by 30 June 2009. In a letter dated 11 June 2009, Bell et al. supported the CITC-JTF's request.

In view of the ongoing discussions, Commission staff considers that the CITC-JTF’s request for additional time is reasonable. The CITC-JTF is requested to inform the Commission, by 30 June 2009, whether a proposal endorsed by both parties will be submitted. In that case, the CITC-JTF is requested to file that proposal with the Commission no later than 15 July 2009.

If the CITC-JTF does not intend to submit a proposal endorsed by both parties, the Commission will initiate a review of the regulatory framework for the small ILECs forthwith.

Yours sincerely,

Original signed by

John Traversy

Executive Director, Telecommunications

Distribution

Association des compagnies de téléphone du Québec (ACTQ)

sdesy@actq.qc.ca;

Canadian Alliance of Publicly-owned Telecommunications Systems (CAPTS) regulr@bmts.com

Ontario Telecommunications Association (OTA)

jonathan.holmes@ota.on.ca;

Société d’administration des tarifs d’accès de télécommunicateurs (SATAT)

sabray@satat.qc.ca