Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-158

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Ottawa, 4 May 2021

Public record: 8638-S1-01/98

Forbearance from the regulation of high-capacity / digital data services interexchange private line services on certain additional routes

The Commission forbears from regulating high-capacity / digital data services interexchange private line services on 327 routes.

Introduction

  1. In Telecom Decision 97-20, pursuant to section 34 of the Telecommunications Act (the Act) and in accordance with the framework set out in Telecom Decision 94-19, the Commission forbore in large part from regulating the high-capacity / digital data services interexchange private line (IXPL) services (IXPL services) provided by the former Stentor-member companiesFootnote 1 on certain routes. The Commission expanded the scope of forbearance for forborne IXPL services provided by TELUS Communications Inc. (TCI) in Telecom Decision 2003-77, and for those provided by Aliant Telecom Inc. (now Bell Aliant, a division of Bell Canada), Bell Canada, MTS Allstream Inc. (now Bell MTS, a division of Bell Canada, and Allstream Business Inc.), and Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) in Telecom Decision 2004-80.
  2. Also in Telecom Decision 97-20, the Commission proposed for comment the following criterion for forbearance from the regulation of IXPL services on future routes: that competitors provided or offered IXPL services to at least one customer, at the equivalent of DS-3 or greater bandwidth, using terrestrial facilities from a company other than the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) or an affiliate of the ILEC.
  3. In Telecom Order 99-434, the Commission confirmed the criterion proposed in Telecom Decision 97-20, and directed the competitors of several ILECs to file semi‑annual reports identifying all the IXPL routes for which they provide or offer IXPL services that meet the criterion.Footnote 2 The reports are due on 1 April and 1 October each year.
  4. Also in that order, the Commission stated that upon being satisfied that one or more competitors met this criterion, it would proceed to forbear from the regulation of IXPL services on those particular routes without further process.
  5. In April and October 2020, the Commission received filings from the following competitors: Axia SuperNet Ltd.; Bell Canada; Bragg Communications Incorporated, carrying on business as Eastlink, on behalf of its direct and indirect subsidiaries; Hydro One Telecom Inc.; Manitoba Hydro International Ltd.; Ontera, a division of NorthernTel, Limited Partnership; Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Videotron Ltd.; Rogers Communications Canada Inc.; SaskTel; Shaw Telecom G.P.; TBayTel; TCI; and Zayo Canada Inc.
  6. In this decision, the Commission addresses the IXPL reports filed in April and October 2020.

Commission’s analysis and determinations

  1. The Commission has reviewed the competitors’ reports filed pursuant to Telecom Order 99-434 and finds that the above-noted forbearance criterion is met for 327 routes, which are in territories served by Bell Canada and TCI. These additional routes are listed in the Appendix to this decision.
  2. Pursuant to subsection 34(1) of the Act, the Commission finds that to refrain, to the extent specified in this decision, from exercising its powers and performing its duties in relation to the regulation of IXPL services on the routes listed in the Appendix would be consistent with the policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act.
  3. Pursuant to subsection 34(2) of the Act, the Commission finds that the IXPL services on the routes listed in the Appendix are subject to a level of competition sufficient to protect the interests of users of these services, and that it is therefore appropriate to refrain, to the extent specified in this decision, from regulating the IXPL services provided on these routes.
  4. Pursuant to subsection 34(3) of the Act, the Commission finds that to refrain, to the extent specified in this decision, from regulating the IXPL services on the routes listed in the Appendix would be unlikely to unduly impair the continuance of a competitive market for these services.
  5. In light of the above and pursuant to subsection 34(4) of the Act, the Commission declares that the following sections of the Act, with some exceptions as noted, do not apply to the affected ILECs’ IXPL services on the routes identified in the Appendix:
    • section 24, except that the Commission directs the ILECs whose territories include one or more of the IXPL routes listed in the Appendix (the affected ILECs) to incorporate into all contracts and any other arrangements for the IXPL services forborne from regulation in this decision, where appropriate and on a going-forward basis, the existing conditions regarding the disclosure of confidential customer information to third parties. It is also appropriate for the Commission to retain sufficient powers under section 24 of the Act to specify possible future conditions upon the forborne services provided by the affected ILECs, where circumstances warrant;
    • section 25;
    • section 27, except with respect to subsection 27(3) of the Act in relation to compliance with powers and duties not forborne from in this decision;
    • section 29; and
    • section 31.
  6. The Commission directs the affected ILECs to issue, within 45 days of the date of this decision, revised tariff pages removing the tariffs for the IXPL services on the routes identified in the Appendix, effective on the date of issuance of the tariff pages.Footnote 3

Policy Directions

  1. The 2019 Policy DirectionFootnote 4 provides that when the Commission is exercising its powers and performing its duties under the Act, it should consider how its decisions can promote competition, affordability, consumer interests, and innovation.
  2. The Commission considers that its forbearance from the regulation of IXPL services in this decision is consistent with subparagraphs 1(a)(i) and (ii) of the 2019 Policy Direction, which state that the Commission should consider the extent to which its decisions
    1. encourage all forms of competition and investment; and
    2. foster affordability and lower prices, particularly when telecommunications service providers exercise market power.
  3. In particular, the Commission considers that its determination to forbear from the regulation of IXPL services (i) will enable competitive conditions for offering IXPL services on these specific routes that will protect the interest of users and (ii) will promote access to affordable, high-quality telecommunications services.
  4. In light of the above, the Commission considers that its forbearance determination will promote competition, affordability, and consumer interests.
  5. In addition, consistent with subparagraph 1(b)(i) of the 2006 Policy Direction,Footnote 5 the Commission considers that its determination to forbear from the regulation of IXPL services in this decision serve to advance the policy objectives set out in paragraphs 7(b), (c), and (f) of the Act.Footnote 6

Secretary General

Related documents

Appendix to Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-158

Additional IXPL routes that qualify for forbearance based on the April and October 2020 reports from competitors, pursuant to Telecom Order 99-434

ILEC A Exchange A ILEC B Exchange B
Bell Canada Burlington ON Bell Canada Preston ON
Bell Canada Longueuil QC Bell Canada Toronto ON
Bell Canada Pefferlaw ON Bell Canada Cannington ON
Bell Canada Lindsay ON Bell Canada Cannington ON
Bell Canada Toronto ON Bell Canada Simcoe ON
TCI Airdrie AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Anzac AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Anzac AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ardrossan AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Ardrossan AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ardrossan AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Ardrossan AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Ashmont AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Ashmont AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ashmont AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Ashmont AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Barrhead AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Barrhead AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Barrhead AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Barrhead AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Bassano AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Bassano AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Bassano AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Bassano AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Blue Ridge AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Blue Ridge AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Blue Ridge AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Blue Ridge AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Bonnyville AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Bonnyville AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Bragg Creek AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Bragg Creek AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Bragg Creek AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Bragg Creek AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Brooks AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Brooks AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Cadotte Lake AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Cadotte Lake AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Calgary AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Calgary AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Camrose AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Camrose AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Canmore AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Canmore AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Cardston AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Cardston AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Cardston AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Cardston AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Chipman AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Chipman AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Chipman AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Chipman AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Cochrane AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Cochrane AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Cochrane AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Cochrane AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Cold Lake AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Cold Lake AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Conklin AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Conklin AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Conklin AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Conklin AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Crossfield AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Crossfield AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Crossfield AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Crossfield AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Daysland AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Daysland AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Daysland AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Daysland AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Debolt AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Debolt AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Debolt AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Debolt AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Dixonville AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Dixonville AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Dixonville AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Dixonville AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Donnelly AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Donnelly AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Donnelly AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Donnelly AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Drayton Valley AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Drayton Valley AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Drayton Valley AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Drayton Valley AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Drumheller AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Drumheller AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Edmonton AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Edmonton AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Edson AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Edson AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Edson AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Edson AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Evansburg AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Evansburg AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Evansburg AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Evansburg AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Fort MacKay AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Fort MacKay AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Fort MacKay AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Fort MacKay AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Fort MacLeod AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Fort MacLeod AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Fort MacLeod AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Fort MacLeod AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Fort McMurray AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Fort McMurray AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Fox Creek AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Fox Creek AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Fox Creek AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Fox Creek AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Gleichen AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Gleichen AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Gleichen AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Gleichen AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Grande Prairie AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Grande Prairie AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Grassland AB TCI Boyle AB
TCI Grassy Lake AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Grassy Lake AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Grassy Lake AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Grassy Lake AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Hanna AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Hanna AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Hanna AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Hanna AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Hardisty AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Hardisty AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Hardisty AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Hardisty AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Heinsburg AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Heinsburg AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Heinsburg AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Heinsburg AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI High Level AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI High Level AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI High Level AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI High Level AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI High Prairie AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI High Prairie AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI High Prairie AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI High Prairie AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Jarvie AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Jarvie AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Jarvie AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Jarvie AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Kananaskis AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Kananaskis AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Kananaskis AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Kananaskis AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Keg River AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Keg River AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Keg River AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Keg River AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Kinuso AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Kinuso AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Kinuso AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Kinuso AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Lacombe AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Lacombe AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Lamont AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Lamont AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Lamont AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Lamont AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Leduc AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Leduc AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Lethbridge AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Lethbridge AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Magrath AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Magrath AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Magrath AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Magrath AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Manning AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Manning AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Manning AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Manning AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Mannville AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Mannville AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Mannville AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Mannville AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Marwayne AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Marwayne AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Marwayne AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Marwayne AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Mayerthorpe AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Mayerthorpe AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Mayerthorpe AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Mayerthorpe AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Medicine Hat AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Medicine Hat AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Morinville AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Morinville AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Morinville AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Morinville AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Morley AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Morley AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Morley AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Morley AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Nampa AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Nampa AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Nampa AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Nampa AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Nisku AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Nisku AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Niton Junction AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Niton Junction AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Niton Junction AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Niton Junction AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Okotoks AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Okotoks AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Olds AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Olds AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Onoway AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Onoway AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Onoway AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Onoway AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Peace River AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Peace River AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Peace River AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Peace River AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Peerless Lake AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Peerless Lake AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Peerless Lake AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Peerless Lake AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Ponoka AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Ponoka AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ponoka AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Ponoka AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Provost AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Provost AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Provost AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Provost AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Radway AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Radway AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Radway AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Radway AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Ralston AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Ralston AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ralston AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Ralston AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Red Deer AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Red Deer AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Red Earth AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Red Earth AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Red Earth AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Red Earth AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Rocky Mountain House AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Rocky Mountain House AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Rocky Mountain House AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Rocky Mountain House AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Rycroft AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Rycroft AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Rycroft AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Rycroft AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Ryley AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Ryley AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Ryley AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Ryley AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Sangudo AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Sangudo AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Sangudo AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Sangudo AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Sexsmith AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Sexsmith AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Sexsmith AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Sexsmith AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Sherwood Park AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Sherwood Park AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Slave Lake AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Slave Lake AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Slave Lake AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Slave Lake AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Smoky Lake AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Smoky Lake AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Smoky Lake AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Smoky Lake AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Spruce Grove AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Spruce Grove AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI St. Paul AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI St. Paul AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI St. Paul AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI St. Paul AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Stand Off AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Stand Off AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Stand Off AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Stand Off AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Stettler AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Stettler AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Stettler AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Stettler AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Three Hills AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Three Hills AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Three Hills AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Three Hills AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Tilley AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Tilley AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Tilley AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Tilley AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Valleyview AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Valleyview AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Valleyview AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Valleyview AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Vermilion AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Vermilion AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Vermilion AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Vermilion AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Vulcan AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Vulcan AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Vulcan AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Vulcan AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Wainwright AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Wainwright AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Waskatenau AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Waskatenau AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Waskatenau AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Waskatenau AB TCI Strathmore AB
TCI Westlock AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Wetaskiwin AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Wetaskiwin AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Whitecourt AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Whitecourt AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Whitecourt AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Whitelaw AB TCI Airdrie AB
TCI Whitelaw AB TCI Cadotte Lake AB
TCI Whitelaw AB TCI St Albert AB
TCI Whitelaw AB TCI Strathmore AB
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