ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 2012-355

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Ottawa, 29 June 2012

Bell Canada – Introduction of Wholesale Wireless Broadband Service

File numbers: Tariff Notices 7289 and 7289A

Introduction

1. The Commission received an application by Bell Canada, dated 29 November 2010, in which the company proposed changes to its General Tariff to introduce item 5430 – Wholesale Wireless Broadband Service (WWBS).

2. Bell Canada filed its application in response to the Commission’s directions in Telecom Decision 2010-805. In that decision, the Commission approved a proposal to use funds in Bell Canada’s and Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership’s deferral accounts to expand broadband services to 112 communities in Ontario and Quebec using high-speed packet access+ (HSPA+) wireless broadband technology.

3. By letter dated 21 April 2011, the Commission suspended consideration of Bell Canada’s application pending the outcome of a proceeding to review billing practices for wholesale residential high-speed access services that was initiated by Telecom Notice of Consultation 2011-77. On 19 December 2011, Bell Canada filed an amendment to its original WWBS proposal, taking into account the Commission’s determinations in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2011-703, which concluded the above-noted proceeding.

4. The Commission received no comments regarding Bell Canada’s application. The public record of this proceeding, which closed on 6 February 2012, is available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Public Proceedings” or by using the file numbers provided above.

Should the Commission approve the introduction of WWBS?

5. The Commission notes that the proposed service is similar to the company’s existing wholesale high-speed access service, except for the following proposals:

6. The Commission considers that Bell Canada’s proposed terms and conditions for WWBS are consistent with its determinations in Telecom Decision 2010-805, as modified to also take into consideration its determinations in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2011-703.

7. Regarding Bell Canada’s proposal to include access for business end-customers at the same rates, terms, and conditions as residential end-customers, the Commission considers that this would benefit competitors in rural and remote communities.

8. The Commission notes that the approved communities are those where competitors initially had no plan to expand in the near future. The Commission therefore considers that the company’s proposal to implement WWBS and to postpone operational and development costs until after competitors demonstrate a firm commitment of demand is appropriate.

9. The Commission notes that service providers must follow a defined process for the destandardization and/or withdrawal of tariffed services as specified in Telecom Information Bulletin 2010-455. Therefore, the Commission considers that it is not acceptable for the WWBS tariff to contain an expiry date. Accordingly, the Commission directs Bell Canada to remove the expiry date from its proposed tariff pages.

Conclusion

10.     In light of the above, the Commission approves Bell Canada’s application, as modified above. The Commission directs the company to issue1 revised tariff pages within 10 calendar days of the date of this order.

Secretary General

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Footnote:

[1] The revised tariff pages can be submitted to the Commission without a description page or a request for approval; a tariff application is not required.

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