Telecom - Commission Letter addressed to Philippe Gauvin (Bell Canada)

Ottawa, 9 September 2022

Our reference: 8000-N1-202204923

BY EMAIL

Philippe Gauvin
Assistant General Counsel
Bell Canada
Floor 19
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario - K2P 2C4
bell.regulatory@bell.ca

Subject: Further Request for Information – Telesat Anik F2 Matters

Philippe Gauvin:

This letter sets out further requests for information (RFIs) directed towards Bell Mobility in regards to its responses to RFIs that were issued by Commission staff on 22 July 2022, as filed with the Commission on 29 July 2022, and then re-filed on 19 August 2022. At this time, these questions are being asked for the general purpose of administration of the Telecommunications Act. A copy of this letter and any subsequent correspondence will be added to the public record: TEL 8000-C12-202204923

This letter and any subsequent correspondence may also be added to the public record of other proceedings in the future should it be determined that the information is relevant to the Commission’s determinations. If that occurs, parties to any relevant proceeding would be notified of the addition and given the opportunity to comment on the responses.

Your response to this request is due 23 September 2022.

Confidential information

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, parties may designate certain information as confidential. A party designating information as confidential must provide a detailed explanation on why the designated information is 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 party 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.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Ian Baggley for

Fiona Gilfillan
Executive Director, Telecommunications Sector

APPENDIX 1

Context

Commission staff issued RFIs to Bell Mobility on 22 July 2022.

Responses to those RFIs were filed by Bell Mobility in confidence on 29 July 2022, and then re-filed on 19 August 2022 to the public record referenced in this letter.

Further questions for Bell Mobility

  1. In response to Question 13 of Commission staff’s RFIs of 22 July 2022, Bell Mobility indicated that “We are not able to provide at this time a detailed timeline or costing information as the technical solutions have not been finalized.”Footnote1

Provide an update on Bell Mobility’s risk mitigation strategy to ensure continued connectivity for customers (retail, wholesale, and enterprise) that it serves in affected regions. Specifically address the following, along with any other information that Bell Mobility deems relevant:

  1. In response to Question 13 of Commission staff’s RFIs of 22 July 2022, Bell Mobility indicated:Footnote2

A third solution involves the installation of motors on gateways and ground stations which would allow antennas to track and follow the Anik F2 satellite despite its departure from its prior geostationary orbit. This option is not open to Northwestel as the motors required for their large diameter dishes, which also have poorer line of sight to the equatorial sky, could not be sourced in time. We believe that smaller dishes robotic actuators could be sourced and installed in time before the first impacts of an inclined operation manifest in Bell's territory.

Specifically address the following, along with any other information that Bell Mobility deems relevant: Given that the third solution referenced by Bell Mobility is within its control, and since it has specifically stated that these robotic actuators could be sourced and installed in time before the first impacts of an inclined operation manifest in its territory, provide an update on the progress of the purchase and installation of these motors.

End of questions

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