Search

Telecom - Commission Letter addressed to Imran Khan (Northwestel Inc.)

Ottawa, 22 August 2022

Our reference: 8740-N1-202203793

BY EMAIL

Imran Khan
Chief Financial Officer & Vice-President
Northwestel Inc.
P.O. Box 2727
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 4Y4
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca

Subject: Northwestel Inc. Tariff Notice 1156 - Introduction of Disaster Waiver

Imran Khan:

On 11 July 2022, the Commission received an application from Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel), under Tariff Notice (TN) 1156 in which the company proposed to introduce General Tariff CRTC 3001 Item 1701 - Disaster Waiver.

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

Northwestel is requested to provide comprehensive answers, including rationale and any supporting information, to the attached questions by 31 August 2022.

As set out in section 39 of the Telecommunications Act and in Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-961, Procedures for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure in Commission proceedings, persons may designate certain information as confidential. As set out in section 39 of the Telecommunications Act and in Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-961, Procedures for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure in Commission proceedings, persons may designate certain information as confidential. A person designating information as confidential must provide a detailed explanation on why the relevant information qualifies for designation as confidential and why its disclosure would not be in the public interest, including why the specific direct harm that would be likely to result from the disclosure would outweigh the public interest in disclosure. Furthermore, a person designating information as confidential must either file an abridged version of the document omitting only the information designated as confidential or provide reasons why an abridged version cannot be filed.

Where a document is to be filed or served by a specific date, the document must be actually received, not merely sent, by that date. The Commission requires the response or other documents to be submitted electronically by using the secured service “My CRTC Account” (Partner Log In or GCKey) and filling the “Telecom Cover page” located on this web page. 

A copy of this letter and all subsequent replies will be added to the public record of this proceeding.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Michel Murray
Director, Dispute Resolution & Regulatory Implementation
Telecommunications Sector

c.c.: Christine Brock, CRTC, 873-353-5852, christine.brock@crtc.gc.ca

Attach. (1)

Request for Information

Northwestel is proposing to introduce new Item 1701 - Disaster Waiver. This Item would permit the company to suspend services, waive charges, provide services at a reduced or at zero rate, or provide other such relief as may be appropriate to residential and/or small business customers affected by a Qualifying Disaster Event, which is an event beyond the reasonable control of the customer that requires evacuation of the customer premises for safety reasons for a period greater than 48 hours.

  1. Explain, with supporting rationale,
    1. the difference between suspensions of service with no charge versus waiving of rates; and
    2. the circumstances under which suspensions of service with no charge would be considered appropriate rather than waiving rates.
  2. The proposed tariff specifies that it will provide “Reference of calls and/or call forwarding services for voice services”.
    1. Are these services currently available in Northwestel’s tariff? And if so, provide the tariff item number and the current rate.
    2. Would these service be provided at no charge?
    3. If a charge applies, what would be the proposed charge?
  3. The proposed tariff provisions specify that the company may provide “other such relief as the Company may deem reasonable and that best addresses the needs of the customer(s)”? Explain what types of relief could be considered under this provision, including whether the relief would be offered at a reduced or zero rate.
  4. In some cases, the duration of a qualifying disaster event could be in place for an extended period of time. Explain, with supporting rationale, whether it would be appropriate to place a limit on the length of time that the benefit would be available, and if so, what length of time would be appropriate?
  5. The proposed tariff provisions specify that “Wholesale and Enterprise customers are not eligible for this offer”.
    1. Explain why it would not be appropriate to extend this type of relief to wholesale and enterprise customers.
    2. In the event of a qualifying disaster, would any relief be available for Wholesale and Enterprise customers through other means? If so, describe what relief would be available.
Date modified: