Telecom - Staff Letter adressed to the Distribution List
Ottawa, 8 March 2023
Our reference: 1011-NOC2023-0056
BY EMAIL
Distribution
RE: Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework, Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56 – Filing of cost studies for FTTP access
In Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56 (the Notice), issued today, the Commission stated its preliminary view that the provision of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) access facilities over aggregated wholesale high-speed (HSA) services is to be mandated on a temporary and expedited basis, at least until the conclusion of the proceeding initiated by the Notice.
This letter sets out process for the filing of cost studies for FTTP access over aggregated wholesale HSA services.
In the Notice, the Commission directed Bell Canada (including Bell MTS Inc. and Bell Aliant), Bragg Communications Incorporated, carrying on business as Eastlink (Eastlink), Cogeco Communications Inc. (Cogeco), Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (RCCI), Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of Videotron Ltd. (Videotron), Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel), Shaw Cablesystems G.P.(Shaw), and TELUS Communications Inc.(TCI) [collectively, incumbent carriers] to file tariffs and associated Phase II cost studies with supporting rationale, for FTTP access facilities over aggregated wholesale HSA services.
Accordingly, incumbent carriers that provide retail internet through FTTP access facilities are to file tariff applications with proposed rates and supporting Phase II cost studies and Study Reports for FTTP access over aggregated wholesale HSA services by 24 April 2023.
As part of its application, each affected incumbent carrier is to describe, in detail, its proposed configuration that integrates FTTP access facilities into the company’s existing aggregated wholesale HSA services. The configuration must allow a competitor that is connected at a point of interconnection (POI) for aggregated wholesale HSA service today to serve end-users through FTTP access facilities using the same POI and the same interface(s) that it uses to connect to its existing non-FTTP end users. The existing network architecture that supports the current aggregated wholesale HSA service and retail Internet service served on FTTP access facilities should be used as much as possible, with minimum change to the network, to support FTTP access facilities on the aggregated wholesale HSA service.
Along with their submission, incumbent carriers are to provide a description and a network diagram that explains how FTTP access facilities are integrated into the aggregated wholesale HSA services. The diagram and description must clearly describe the connection path for an access over FTTP facilities, starting at the end-customer premises demarcation point and ending at the POI, and the diagram must identify each network element in the connection path. Further, incumbent carriers are to describe the equipment that a competitor is required to provide at the customer premises to support its Internet service over FTTP access facilities, specifying what company equipment it connects to.
The filing of information in the context of the tariff applications, including in the associated cost studies, should be consistent with the confidentiality guidelines set out in Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-592.
Incumbent carriers are reminded to provide an electronic copy (i.e., Excel spreadsheets which include all formulae and linkages) of the cost model. This cost model should include all formulae and should not include hard coded numbers that are not supported by either an internal/external reference, explanation or other supporting rationale. The populated model should include all the associated linked spreadsheet files that contain supporting data used to develop the costs. Additionally, a description of the input data variables, the vintage of the input data used, explanations of all modelling assumptions with supporting rationale, and any other pertinent costing information and details should be provided along with the associated Study Report.
As indicated in the Notice, the Commission will only reach a decision on its preliminary view once it has reviewed the record built on this matter. Nevertheless, the Commission is commencing this process in order to act expeditiously should it confirm its preliminary view that such temporary access to FTTP over aggregated HSA services is to be provided for.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Chris Noonan
Director, Competitive Services & Costing Implementation
Telecommunications Sector
cc: Tom Vilmansen, CRTC 819-997-9253, Tom.Vilmansen@crtc.gc.ca
Ramin Adim, CRTC 819-360-4846, Ramin.Adim@crtc.gc.ca
David Mah, CRTC 819-353-4711, David.Mah@crtc.gc.ca
Distribution List
Bell Canada, bell.regulatory@bell.ca;
Cogeco, telecom.regulatory@cogeco.com;
Eastlink, regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca;
RCCI, regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
SaskTel, document.control@sasktel.sk.ca;
Shaw, Regulatory@sjrb.ca;
TCI, regulatory.affairs@telus.com;
Videotron, regaffairs@quebecor.com;
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