Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution list
Ottawa, 16 November 2023
Our reference: 8740-B20-202305888
By EMAIL
Distribution list
Subject: Bell Canada Tariff Notice 981 – Changes to Support Structure Service Ontario and Quebec Pole Rental Unit Rate – Response to Cable Carriers request for extension
On 16 October 2023, Bell Canada (Bell) filed Tariff Notice 981 to revise the tariff pages for its National Services Tariff (NST) CRTC 7400 Item 901 – Support Structure Service (Item 901), to reflect the updated monthly pole rental rate per unit applicable in its Ontario and Quebec serving area.
On 3 November 2023, Cogeco Communications Inc., on behalf of Cogeco Connexion Inc.; Bragg Communications Inc., carrying on business as Eastlink; Quebecor Media Inc., on behalf of its subsidiaries Videotron Ltd. And Freedom Mobile Inc.; and Rogers Communications Canada Inc. on behalf of itself and its affiliate Shaw Cablesystems Ltd. (collectively, the “Cable Carriers”) requested disclosure of information filed by Bell in confidence in the above- noted tariff filing.
In addition, the Cable Carriers asked the Commission to extend the current date for comments on the Bell Tariff Notice of November 16, 2023, to provide intervenors with an opportunity to address any additional information disclosed by Bell. Also, the Cable Carriers requested the Commission to modify the process to review the Bell Tariff Notice to include an interrogatory phase.
On 8 November 2023, in its response to requests for disclosure, Bell addressed and commented on the various requests made by the Cable Carriers in their letter. With respect to extending the 16 November 2023 deadline for the filing of Interventions on Tariff Notice 981, Bell stated that it responded to the Cable Carriers’ request expeditiously and well before the 16 November 2023 due date. As such, Bell was of the view that the Cable Carriers and other parties would have ample time to provide their comments by the stipulated deadline.
Upon review of the Cable Carriers' requests and the additional information disclosed by Bell in the revised supporting documents of the updated cost study, Commission staff is of the view that extending the deadline to file interventions does not unduly disadvantage any party and would not result in undue delay or prejudice.
Under the circumstances, Commission staff is of the view that it is reasonable to extend the deadline by which the Cable Carriers and other parties may file their comments on Bell Tariff Notice 981. Accordingly, the deadline to submit interventions is extended to 23 November 2023. In addition, the reply deadline for Bell is extended to 7 December 2023.
Lastly, with respect to other requests made by the Cable Carrier, Commission staff informs parties that determinations will be made in due course.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Chris Noonan
Director, Competitive Services & Costing Implementation
Telecommunications sector
Distribution list
Bell Canada, bell.regulatory@bell.ca;
Cogeco, telecom.regulatory@cogeco.com;
Eastlink, regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca;
RCCI, regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
Quebecor Media Inc, regaffairs@quebecor.com;
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