ARCHIVED - Telecom Commission Letter Addressed to Distribution

Ottawa, 7 May 2015

Our reference: 8663-C12-201503186

BY EMAIL

Distribution

RE: Review of basic telecommunications services, Telecom Notice of Consultation 2015-134^{Footnote 1} – Requests for information and data added to the record

Dear Madam, Sir:

Pursuant to paragraph 39 of Telecom Notice of Consultation 2015-134, attached are requests for information from the Commission. The telecommunications service providers (TSPs) identified in the distribution list are to file (in original file format and PDF) responses to the questions set out in the attachment by 30 June 2015. If the information requested in a specific question does not apply, indicate “not applicable” in your response. These submissions must be received, not merely sent, by that date.

Except for the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) who have already been made parties to this proceeding,^{Footnote 2} your responses to these requests for information will not make you a party to the proceeding. Interested persons who wish to become parties are to consult Telecom Notice of Consultation 2015-134 for more information on how to participate.

Information from the Commission’s data collection processes

Information gathered from TSPs through the Commission’s Data Collection System (DCS) will be relied upon in this proceeding. Specifically, DCS information from the year 2011 and onward pertaining to telecommunications services revenues, pricing, demand, financial information, and network information/facilities is made part of the record of this proceeding. Click here for further information.

Confidentiality

Sections 30 to 34 of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure and sections 38 and 39 of the Telecommunications Act set out a process by which persons who submit information to the Commission may designate it as confidential. As set out in Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin 2010-961,^{Footnote 3} a company that designates certain information as confidential must provide an abridged version of the document involved, accompanied by a note explaining how the information in question is confidential. Any requests to designate information as confidential must be supported by detailed rationale that is specific to the issue at hand; generic statements such as ‘the release of this information to competitors would result in specific, direct harm to the company’ are not sufficient. Further details are available in the above-mentioned Information Bulletin.

Yours sincerely,

Original signed by

John Macri
Director
Policy Framework
Telecommunications Sector

c.c.: Christine Bailey, CRTC, (819) 997-4557, christine.bailey@crtc.gc.ca

Distribution List

ILECs
Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership, regulatory@bell.aliant.ca
Bell Canada, bell.regulatory@bell.ca
MTS Inc., iworkstation@mtsallstream.com
Saskatchewan Telecommunications, document.control@sasktel.sk.ca
Télébec, Société en commandite, regulatory@bellaliant.ca
TELUS Communications Company, regulatory.affairs@telus.com

Northwestel Inc., regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca

Amtelecom Telco GP Inc., regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca
Brooke Telecom Co-operative Ltd, jim@brooketel.ca
Bruce Telecom, regulatory@brucetelecom.com
CityWest Telephone Corporation, heather.bishop@cwct.ca
Cochrane Telecom Services, Louise.robichaud@cochranetel.ca
CoopTel, mlaurent@cooptel.coop
DMTS, reglementa@telebec.com
Execulink Telecom Inc., jonathan.scott@execulink.com
Groupe Maskatel LP, guycordeauavocat@bellnet.ca
Gosfield North Communication Co-operative Limited, regulatory@gosfieldtel.ca
Hay Communications Co-operative Limited, a.schneider@hay.net
Huron Telecommunications Co-operative Limited, regulatory@hurontel.on.ca
KMTS, reglementa@telebec.com
La Cie de Téléphone de Courcelles Inc., jpatry@telcourcelles.qc.ca
La Compagnie de Téléphone de Lambton Inc., infotel@sogetel.net
La Compagnie de téléphone de St-Victor, telvic@telvic.net
La Compagnie de téléphone Upton inc., j-fmathieu@telupton.qc.ca
Lansdowne Rural Telephone Company Ltd, wagrier@1000island.net
Mornington Communications Co-operative Limited, rbanks@mornington.ca
Nexicom Telecommunications Inc., pdowns@nexicomgroup.net
Nexicom Telephones Inc., pdowns@nexicomgroup.net
North Frontenac Telephone Corporation Ltd, Fmantell6229@rogers.com
NorthernTel, Limited Partnership, reglementa@telebec.com
NRTC Communications, steve@wtccommunications.ca
Ontera, tracy.cant@ontera.ca
People's Tel Limited Partnership, regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca
Quadro Communications Co-operative Inc., barry.stone@quadro.net
Roxborough Telephone Company Limited, timbeach@ontarioeast.net
Sogetel inc., sophie.houde@sogetel.com
TBayTel, rob.olenick@tbaytel.com
Téléphone de St-Éphrem inc., telstep@telstep.net
Téléphone Milot Inc., paul.frappier@sogetel.com
Tuckersmith Communications Co-operative Limited, regulatory@tccmail.ca
Wightman Telecom Ltd, kgugan@wightman.ca
WTC Communications, carlo.dondero@wtccommunications.ca

Other TSPs
Access Communications Co-operative Limited, documents@myaccess.coop
Axia SuperNet Ltd./Axia Connect Ltd, nicole.springer@axia.com
Bell Mobility Inc., bell.regulatory@bell.ca
BC Hydro and Power Authority, Mark.dayton@bchydro.com
Bragg Communications Incorporated (EastLink), regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca
Broadband Communications North Inc., sramchandar@gobcn.ca
CityWest Mobility Corp., heather.bishop@cwct.ca
Cogeco Cable Canada LP, telecom.regulatory@cogeco.com
Comwave Networks Inc., ybarzakay@comwave.net
Distributel Communications Limited, regulatory@distributel.ca
Fibernetics Corporation, regulatory@fibernetics.ca
Hydro One Telecom Inc., mukul.sarin@hydroone.com
Ice Wireless Inc., regulatory@icewireless.ca
Infosat Communications LP, nmacintosh@infosat.com
Iristel Inc., regulatory@iristel.com
JUCH-TECH Inc., pye@juch-tech.com
Latitude Wireless, regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca
Les Réseaux de l'Alliance Inc., michel.moreau@reseauxalliance.com
Lynx Mobility Inc., marcille@atmacinta.com
Managed Network Systems Inc., clayton@mnsi.net
Manitoba Hydro International Limited, mamatiowsky@mht.mb.ca
Niagara Regional Broadband Network Limited, rjwandrews@bellnet.ca
Novus Entertainment Inc., donna.robertson@novusnow.ca
Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc., regulatory@primustel.ca
Public Mobile Inc., regulatory.affairs@telus.com
Québecor Média inc., regaffairs@quebecor.com
Rogers Communications Partnership, rwi_gr@rci.rogers.com
Seaside Communications Inc., colinadams@seaside.ns.ca
Shaw Cablesystems G.P., regulatory@sjrb.ca
Source Cable Limited, rbosanac@sourcecable.ca
SSI Micro Ltd, regulatory@ssimicro.com
TekSavvy Solutions Inc., regulatory@teksavvy.com
Télécommunications Xittel Inc., gdesilets@xittel.net
Telesat Canada, iscott@telesat.com
Telupton 2000 Inc., j-fmathieu@telupton.qc.ca
TeraGo Networks Inc, regulatory@terago.ca
Wind Mobile Corp., lgoetz@windmobile.ca
Xplornet Communications Inc., david.macelwain@corp.xplornet.com
Yak Communications (Canada) Corp., lgoetz@windmobile.ca

Attachment

Requests for Information

Telecommunications Services

1. [Wireline and mobile wireless service providers]

   Identify the number and corresponding percentage of residential customers subscribing to the services listed below as of December 2014 by each province/territory where the company provides service:

   1. the lowest priced wireline voice service; and
   2. the lowest priced postpaid mobile wireless voice plan.

   For each service, specify the percentage of customers located in i) high cost serving areas (HCSAs) and ii) non-HCSAs.^{Footnote 4} Provide a description of each service offering (e.g. optional services or enhanced features; number of local minutes for daytime, evenings, and weekends; long distance minutes; number of text messages included). Specify 1) the non-discounted price for each service, 2) whether the price is available throughout the province/territory providing the reasons for any differences, and 3) any additional monthly charges that may apply.

2. [Mobile wireless service providers]

   Identify the lowest priced prepaid wireless voice plan offered as of December 2014 by each province/territory where the company provides service. Provide a description of the service offering, as well as any associated conditions (e.g. per call connection, roll over minutes, other associated charges). Indicate the price per minute of a local call. Specify whether 1) the plan is offered throughout the province/territory, and 2) there are differences in pricing for that plan across the province/territory providing the reasons for any differences.

3. [Internet service providers]

   Identify, for each province/territory where the company provides service, the number and corresponding percentage of your residential customers as of December 2014 who were subscribing to a broadband Internet plan closest to the Commission’s target speeds of 5 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.

   Specify the percentage of these customers located in i) HCSAs and ii) non-HCSAs. Provide a description of the broadband Internet plan (e.g. speeds, data caps, overage charges). Specify 1) the non-discounted price for the service, and 2) whether the price is available throughout the province/territory providing the reasons for any differences.

4. [Mobile wireless service providers]

   Identify the five most popular features (e.g. voicemail, call display, extra usage plan, email account) chosen by your residential customers for mobile wireless services. Provide a description of those features (including the non-discounted price) and the corresponding number and percentage of customers subscribing to them. In addition, specify the number and percentage of these customers located in i) HCSAs and ii) non-HCSAs for each province/territory where the company provides mobile wireless service.

5. [TSPs]

   Identify the number and corresponding percentage of residential customers subscribing to the services listed below as of December 2014 for each province/territory where the company provides service:

   1. the three most popular wireline voice plans; and
   2. the three most popular wireline Internet plans.

   Specify the percentage of these customers located in i) HCSAs and ii) non-HCSAs. Provide a description of each service offering (e.g. optional services; number of local minutes for daytime, evenings, and weekends; long distance minutes; speeds, data caps, overage charges). Specify the non-discounted price for the service and any additional monthly charges that may apply.

6. [Wireline, mobile wireless, fixed wireless and/or satellite direct to home Internet service providers]

   Provide the monthly average usage of data [in gigabytes (GB)] for residential customers for the year 2014 for i) wireline Internet service, and ii) mobile wireless Internet service.

7. [TSPs]

   For each category of telecommunications service (i.e. wireline voice, mobile wireless voice, wireline Internet, mobile wireless Internet, fixed wireless Internet and satellite Internet) provided by your company, identify and describe what service offerings (e.g. discounted plans, special pricing) or initiatives (e.g. bill management tools, toll denial) are available to assist certain segments of the population for which access or affordability may be a concern, such as seniors, low income Canadians, people with disabilities, and students. Describe any other similar offerings or initiatives that are available to other specific segments of the population. Provide for the year 2014, the number and percentage of customers who used these offerings or initiatives.

Network Infrastructure^{Footnote 5}

8. [TSPs]

   With respect to your company’s operating territory, provide the following information for Internet services (excluding dial-up) that you offer:

   1. the total number of households that your company is capable of serving;
   2. the total number of households served by your company; and
   3. the total number of households served that meet the Commission’s broadband Internet target speeds of 5 Mbps download / 1 Mbps upload.^{Footnote 6}
9. [TSPs]

   With respect to your company’s operating territory, provide the following information for areas that are currently unserved^{Footnote 7} or underserved^{Footnote 8} as of December 2014:

   1. the technologies used in the access facilities for serving subscribers (or households), such as fixed wireless access (licensed or unlicensed), satellite (direct to home), cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), fibre-optics and mobile wireless;
   2. for each technology in (a) above, the average upstream and downstream Internet speeds that you offer;
   3. the technologies used for connecting to the PoP and average capacities in Mbps to / from the PoP); and
   4. a map showing your operating territory with the types and locations of access facilities in MapInfo or compatible format.
10. [TSPs]

    With respect to your company’s operating territory, provide the following information in areas that are currently unserved or underserved as of December 2014:

    1. the total number of PoPs;
    2. the technologies used for backhaul to / from each PoP;^{Footnote 9}
    3. for each technology provided in response to b. above, i) total available capacity in Mbps (to / from the PoP), and ii) total capacity currently used broken down by peak and non-peak usage periods; and
    4. a map showing your operating area with the types and locations of PoPs in MapInfo or compatible format.
11. [TSPs]

    To better understand historical and projected network utilization and demand for broadband Internet access services, provide responses to the following questions.

    1. Describe the various engineering assumptions associated with network deployments/upgrades, such as percentage of active users (i.e. households) at peak periods and at other times of day, as well as their peak usage demands. Provide the oversubscription ratios used.
    2. Are different engineering assumptions utilized when planning network deployments/upgrades in different geographic areas, when different technologies are used, or where different speed tiers are offered to end users? If yes, please explain these differences.
    3. For each of the years 2010 to 2014, provide 1) the network engineering assumption for throughput bandwidth allocated to each end user expressed in kilobits per second (kbps) (i.e. engineered throughput), and 2) the average volume of data used per end user expressed in gigabytes (GB) per month.
    4. For each of the years 2015 to 2019, provide the forecasts for the information requested in part c) above.

Date modified:

2015-05-07