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

Ottawa, 3 September 2024

Reference: 8740-N1-202404284

BY E-MAIL

Imran Khan
Chief Financial Officer & Vice-President
Northwestel Inc.
10th Floor 5201 Franklin Ave #100
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P1
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca

Subject:   Northwestel Tariff Notice 1226 - New Special Assembly 778 – Special Assembly #11 Layer 2 Ethernet (WAN) Service –Customized point-to-point extension and associated equipment

Dear Imran Khan,

On 6 August 2024, the Commission received an application from Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel) proposing changes to its Special Services Tariff CRTC 3010, to introduce Item 778 – Special Assembly #11 Layer 2 Ethernet (WAN) Service.

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

As set out in section 39 of the Telecommunications Act (the 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. Paragraph 32 (1) of the Rules of Practice and Procedureprovides that 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.

Northwestel indicated in its cover letter that, pursuant to the requirement for Type 1 customer-specific tariffs^Footnote1 and among other things, in order that there be no unjust discrimination or undue preference, the service package and the associated rates, terms and conditions provided under the customer-specific arrangement would be generally available to other customers.

In order to inform the participation of interested persons in the proceedings, the Commission expects companies to disclose information on the public record to the maximum extent possible. Commission staff considers that disclosure of the proposed tariff item doesn't appear to identify the specific location or site served within British Columbia. This information would enable potential customers to better understand whether this service could meet their service requirements and its disclosure would therefore be in the public interest. Accordingly, Northwestel is requested to either i) file an amendment to its tariff to identify this community or ii) provide a comprehensive answer, including rationale and any supporting information as to why disclosure would not be appropriate by 17 September 2024.

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.

Yours sincerely

Original signed by Philippe Nadeau for

Michel Murray
Director, Dispute Resolution & Regulatory Implementation
Telecommunications Sector

c. c.  Aouled-Nasteh Djama, CRTC, (819)-997-0315, aouled-nasteh.djama@crtc.gc.ca

Date modified:

2024-09-03