ARCHIVED - Telecom Order CRTC 2015-413

PDF version

Ottawa, 2 September 2015

File numbers: Tariff Notices 57 and 57A

La Compagnie de Téléphone de Lambton Inc. – Name change, merger, and various tariff changes

Application

1. The Commission received an application from la Compagnie de Téléphone de Lambton Inc. (Lambton), dated 21 January 2015, in which Lambton proposed to modify its General Tariff following the Sogetel group’s purchase of the company and to align its tariff with that of Sogetel inc. (Sogetel) and Téléphone Milot inc. (Milot), member companies of the Sogetel group. Lambton also wished to change its name to “Téléphone de Lambton.”
2. Specifically, Lambton proposed some administrative changes to its General Tariff. Among these changes, some sections were added or reserved for future use to follow the model of Sogetel’s General Tariff. Other administrative changes did not affect any rates or modify the conditions set out in Lambton’s General Tariff.
3. Lambton also proposed other changes to its General Tariff, including changes to conditions and rates. As well, Lambton proposed to add four new sections to its General Tariff and to modify several sections to reflect the Commission’s forbearance from the regulation of certain services. Lambton submitted that these changes were either based on previously approved tariffs for Sogetel and Milot or introduced to comply with the Commission’s existing policies.
4. Lambton filed an amended application, dated 9 April 2015, in which it proposed to modify certain other General Tariff items.
5. In Telecom Order 2015-351, the Commission approved Lambton’s application on an interim basis, effective 3 August 2015.
6. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding Lambton’s application. The public record of this proceeding, which closed on 4 May 2015, is available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca or by using the file numbers provided above.

Commission’s analysis and determinations

7. The administrative changes proposed by Lambton and described in paragraph 2 above are acceptable.
8. The Commission agrees with Lambton that its proposed changes to conditions and rates mentioned in paragraph 3 above are consistent with the Commission’s policies, particularly concerning rate increases and the introduction of rate ranges,^{Footnote 2} as well as forbearance from the regulation of certain services.^{Footnote 1} The new sections mentioned in paragraph 3 reproduce the equivalent sections of Sogetel’s General Tariff, which the Commission has approved. Accordingly, all of these changes are acceptable.
9. Lambton indicated that the original item 3.1.3 – Multi-element service charges, obliges the company to provide to subscribers of a multiline service, once per year and upon request, a written summary of all the equipment it provides to them and the applicable rates. Lambton submitted that for several years, the monthly bills it produces have contained a detailed summary of the equipment and services that it leases to its clients. Lambton therefore proposed to withdraw item 3.1.3 from its General Tariff. However, it would be more appropriate to revise this item to describe the service as it is currently provided instead of withdrawing it.
10. As well, Lambton refers to itself as “la Compagnie de Téléphone de Lambton Inc.” in the title of new section 1.7 – Sale of tariffs of la Compagnie de Téléphone de Lambton Inc., even though it has proposed to use the new name “Téléphone de Lambton.” The company’s new name should be reflected in the entire document.
11. In light of the above, the Commission approves on a final basis Lambton’s application, effective the date of this order. However, Lambton must make certain revisions to its General Tariff, as described below.
12. The Commission directs Lambton to modify its General Tariff so that
    • the company’s new name is reflected in the entire document, particularly section 1.7; and
    • the item formerly numbered 3.1.3 contains a description of the summary of equipment and services that the company currently leases.
13. Lambton is to issue revised tariff pages^{Footnote 3} within 10 days of the date of this order.

Secretary General

Related documents

• Telecom Order CRTC 2015-351, 3 August 2015
• Forbearance with respect to retail directory assistance services provided by the small incumbent local exchange carriers, Telecom Decision CRTC 2014-213, 2 May 2014
• Regulatory framework for the small incumbent local exchange carriers and related matters, Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2013-160, 28 March 2013
• Forbearance – Regulation of toll services provided by incumbent telephone companies, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-19, 18 December 1997, as amended by Telecom Decision CRTC 97-19-1, 9 March 1998

Date modified:

2015-09-02