ARCHIVED - Telecom Commission Letter addressed to Jamie Patterson (SaskTel)
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Ottawa, 9 October 2019
BY E-MAIL
File No. 1011-NOC2019-309
Jamie Patterson
Associate Corporate Counsel – SaskTel
Jamie.Patterson@sasktel.com
RE: Wireless Code – Device financing plans – Request for information
Dear Mr. Patterson:
The Commission initiated a proceeding, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-309 (the Notice), Footnote1 to consider whether device financing plans, including those with terms greater than 24 months, are compliant with the Wireless Code.
As indicated in the Notice Commission staff issued further requests for information to the wireless service providers, including Sasktel, on 30 August 2019. In its 16 September 2019 reply to that request, SaskTel responded to the questions specifically asked of it, but indicated in its response to the remaining questions that it “does not offer device financing plans similar to those recently introduced by the other Canadian carriers who received this Request for Information”. As a result, the information requested by Commission staff was not provided by Sasktel.
Commission staff hereby requests that SaskTel answer those questions, which are reproduced in an appendix to this letter, as they pertain to the “Pricing Plus” plans that it offers to its customers by no later than 24 October 2019.
As set out in Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin 2010-961, Procedures for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure in Commission proceedings, WSPs may designate certain information as confidential. WSPs must provide an abridged version of the document involved, accompanied by a detailed rationale to explain why the disclosure of the information is not in the public interest. All submissions are to be made in accordance with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, SOR/2010-277.
Should you have any questions concerning this request for information, please contact Guillaume Leclerc by e-mail at guillaume.leclerc@crtc.gc.ca.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Nanao Kachi
Director
Social and Consumer Policy
C.C. document.control@sasktel.com
Guillaume.Leclerc@crtc.gc.ca
Appendix - Questions
The following questions are reproduced from the 30 August 2019 request for information, which have been adjusted to refer to the “Plus Pricing plans” offered by Sasktel.
Q1. Market adoption of “Plus Pricing” plans
- What date did you first start offering “Plus Pricing” plans?
- How many customers entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan from the date you started offering these plans up until 2 August 2019?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, grouped by specific term length | ||||
| Total |
- For the period from when you started offering “Plus Pricing” plans up until 2 August 2019, how many customers entered into new wireless service plans?
- For the customers who entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan prior to 2 August 2019 as identified in Q1.b) above, how many combined their “Plus Pricing” plan with a device subsidy?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, grouped by specific term length | ||||
| Total |
- For the customers who entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan prior to 2 August 2019 as identified Q1.b) above, what is the average minimum monthly bill of their associated wireless service plan?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, grouped by specific term length | ||||
| Overall |
- How many customers entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan on or after 2 August 2019?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, grouped by specific term length | ||||
| Total |
- How many customers entered into a new wireless service agreement on or after 2 August 2019?
- For the customers who entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan on or after 2 August 2019 as identified in Q1.g) above, how many combined a “Plus Pricing” plan with a device subsidy?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, grouped by specific term length | ||||
| Total |
- For the customers who entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan on or after 2 August 2019 as identified in Q1.f) above, what is the average minimum monthly bill of their associated wireless service plan?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, indicating the term length | ||||
| Overall |
Q2. Nature of the “Plus Pricing” plan
- For the customers that entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan, as identified in Q1.b) or f) above, what is the average initial balance of that “Plus Pricing” plan, i.e. what is the average upfront device cost that is being financed under a “Plus Pricing” plan?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, indicating the term length | ||||
| Overall |
- For customers that entered into a “Plus Pricing” plan, as identified in Q1.d) and Q1.h) above, what is the average device subsidy that was offered, if any, in addition to the “Plus Pricing” plan?
| Mobile wireless devices | Tablets | Smartwatches or other devices | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a 24 month term | ||||
| With a 36 month term | ||||
| With any other term, indicating the term length | ||||
| Overall |
- At what point in a wireless service plan can a customer obtain a “Plus Pricing” plan, with or without a device subsidy? In other words, can a customer obtain a “Plus Pricing” plan at any time during the duration of their wireless service plan, or is it limited to the time at which the wireless service plan is entered into?
Q3. Documentation provided to customers
Provide a copy of the documents provided to customers entering into a new “Plus Pricing” plan.
This should include the following:
- A copy of a “Plus Pricing” plan contract;
- A critical information summary (CIS) for that contract, if applicable;
- A copy of a sample monthly bill showing how the information related to a “Plus Pricing” plan is communicated to customers;
- A copy of any documents related to the wireless service plan that refer to the “Plus Pricing” plan; and
- Other related documents that would refer to the “Plus Pricing” plan or any related terms and conditions.
- Date modified: