ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 2011-210

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Ottawa, 24 March 2011

MTS Allstream Inc. – Custom-Designed Signalling Arrangement

File number: Tariff Notice 700

Introduction

1.         The Commission received an application by MTS Allstream Inc. (MTS Allstream), dated 17 December 2010, in which the company proposed modifications to its Special Assemblies Tariff to introduce item 17570 – Custom-Designed Signalling Arrangement. This is a customer-specific arrangement that provides for a custom-designed interim common channel signalling 7 (CCS7) system interconnection to MTS Allstream’s signalling points of interconnection (POIs) in Toronto and Montréal. This interconnection arrangement would remain in place until the customer is able to establish standard signalling interconnection at MTS Allstream’s signalling POIs within Manitoba.

2.         MTS Allstream submitted that, by mutual agreement, it had established a signalling interconnection arrangement with the customer a number of years ago using the customer’s signalling POIs in the United States, with transiting occurring through a third party’s signalling POIs in the United States and through MTS Allstream’s signalling POIs in Toronto and Montréal. MTS Allstream stated that it had notified the customer earlier in 2010 that the two companies needed to establish signalling interconnection using signalling POIs in Manitoba, in accordance with the standard arrangement stipulated in Telecom Decision 97-8.

3.         MTS Allstream submitted that the customer had indicated that it would be unable to establish signalling POIs in Manitoba in the near future and that its proposal would be used as an interim arrangement until the customer establishes signalling POIs in Manitoba. MTS Allstream further submitted that the customer had reviewed the proposed rates, terms, and conditions of the arrangement, and had not objected to them.

4.         The Commission approved MTS Allstream’s application on an interim basis in Telecom Order 2011-26. The Commission received no comments regarding this application. The public record of this proceeding is available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Public Proceedings” or by using the file number provided above.

Should the Commission approve MTS Allstream’s interim solution?

5.         The Commission notes that in Telecom Decision 97-8, it mandated incumbent local exchange carriers to provide a signalling POI in each numbering plan area (NPA). Similarly, the Commission required each competitive local exchange carrier to provide a signalling POI in each NPA in which it provides service. However, in Telecom Order 98-486, the Commission noted that although certain provisions regarding POIs are mandated, parties are free to negotiate arrangements that they may consider more advantageous.

6.         The Commission notes that, although MTS Allstream already meets its regulatory requirements by offering signalling POIs in Manitoba, the customer is not yet providing a signalling POI in that province. The Commission also notes MTS Allstream’s submission that its proposal will accommodate the customer temporarily, until the customer establishes signalling POIs in Manitoba to interconnect with MTS Allstream’s standard CCS7 signalling system. The Commission further notes that the proposed pricing structure provides an incentive for the customer to establish signalling POIs in Manitoba by the end of January 2012.

7.         In light of all the above, the Commission approves on a final basis MTS Allstream’s application.

Secretary General

Related documents

• Telecom Order CRTC 2011-26, 12 January 2011
• Transiting and points of interconnection, Telecom Order CRTC 98-486,
  19 May 1998
• Local competition, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-8, 1 May 1997

Date modified:

2011-03-24