ARCHIVED - Telecom Commission Letter Addressed to Robert Hersche (Saskatchewan Telecommunications)

Ottawa, 7 August 2014

Our reference:  8740-S22-201407198

BY EMAIL

Mr. Robert Hersche
Senior Director
Regulatory Affairs
Saskatchewan Telecommunications
2121 Saskatchewan Drive,
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 3Y2
document.control@sasktel.com

RE: Tariff Notice 296 – IP Trunking Service

Dear Sir:

On 25 July 2014, the Commission received an application by Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel)], under Tariff Notice 296 (TN 296), in which the company proposed revisions to its General Tariff – Competitive Services item 500.23, IP Trunking Service, to introduce rate ranges for some of the rate elements.

Paragraph 28(1)(a) of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that the Commission may request parties to file information or documents where needed.

SaskTel is requested to provide comprehensive answers, including rationale and any supporting information, to the attached questions by 21 August 2014.

Consequently, this application, along with any associated subsequent revisions, will not be approved on an interim basis on the 15th calendar day following receipt. However, the

Commission intends to dispose of this application, along with any associated subsequent revisions, within 45 business days of receipt of the filing.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Michel Murray
Director, Regulatory Implementation
Telecommunications Sector

c.c.:  Mélanie Dorion, CRTC, (613) 716-5949, melanie.dorion@crtc.gc.ca

Attach. (1)

Attachment

Questions

1. In item 500.23.1. – Service Description - SaskTel proposed that certain features can be added for a charge, although they were previously included in the monthly recurring charge. These features include Inward Route Labeller (IRL), Route Traffic Manager (RTM) and Overflow/Reroute features.  Provide the company’s rationale for the proposed change.
2. The company proposed revisions to item 500.23.2 – Conditions of Service. These revisions include removal of the existing item 500.23.2.6, which states “’The customer may acquire its customer data network or IP Access from any supplier of their choice, but it must have the ability to ensure voice traffic takes precedence over data in case of congestion.”

   However, the company proposed to retain the existing item 500.23.2.7, which states “As a condition of service, the suitability of the customer’s IP network must be assessed. Such assessment must be done by SaskTel at a charge to the customer using SaskTel’s custom work charges.”

   1. Confirm whether a customer will be able to acquire its data network or IP Access from a supplier other than SaskTel. If not, provide the company’s rationale for this change.
   2. Identify whether existing customers will be affected by this change. If yes, identify whether, and, if so, what steps SaskTel is taking to mitigate these effects.
   3. Further, if the customer acquires its IP network from SaskTel, explain, with rationale, why the company would impose charges to assess the suitability of the customer’s IP network in order to receive the service.
3. The company proposed to retain existing item 500.23.2.12, which states “Service charges ordinarily applicable for service address changes will not be charged as they are required to update the 9-1-1 service address database.” However, the company has proposed to introduce an Add/Move/Change Charge Per Location of $150.

   Is the intent to proceed with the “Add/Move/Change” in the case of a change of service address? If so, please rationalize the inconsistency between the two statements.

Date modified:

2014-08-07