Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution List
Ottawa-Gatineau, 9 January 2025
Our reference: 8657-T117-202201888
BY EMAIL
Distribution list
Subject: Part 1 Application Seeking Updates to the Approval Processes for Competitor Tariff Filings – Application of TekSavvy Solution Inc.– Reopening the record and Call for comments
On 29 April 2022, the Commission received a Part I Application (the Application) submitted by TekSavvy Solutions Inc. (TekSavvy) regarding the approval process for competitor tariff filings, particularly in relation to wholesale high-speed access (HSA) service.
Specifically, TekSavvy requested that the Commission:
- Clarify that no tariff approval is required for competitor tariff filings introducing new speed tiers that fall within an approved speed-band associated with an approved rate, with these applications being considered “Group A” applications for the purposes of TIB 2020-455-1;
- Approve all currently outstanding tariff applications introducing speed tiers which would fall into the foregoing category; and
- Establish a default interim approval mechanism for competitor tariff filings that introduce new speed tiers or otherwise deviate from existing speed bands, whereby the tariff filing is approved on an interim basis on the 15th calendar day after the filing date, using either a cost study or, if none is provided, the established proxy approach to rate-setting.
TekSavvy added that these remedies aim both to harmonize the tariff application process with the new speed banded structure of tariff pages for wholesale HSA services, and protect consumer interest by ensuring timely, equitable access to all service speeds while respecting the purpose of the speed-matching requirement.
The Commission received interventions from the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC), the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
(Rogers), TELUS Communications Inc. (TELUS), and Distributel Communications Limited (Distributel).
Commission staff notes that the request submitted by TekSavvy in its above-noted Application aims at bringing some changes to the Telecom Information Bulletin TIB 2010-455-1, which details the tariff application approval procedure that is currently in force within the Commission.
Commission staff is of the view that having an efficient tariff application approval process is critical for the Commission to issue decisions that better meet the Telecommunication objectives.
Considering Commission determinations since this application was filed, including Telecom Decision CRTC 2023-196Footnote 1 and Telecom Regulatory Policy 2024-180Footnote 2, Commission staff is re-opening the record of this application to invite new comments on the issues raised by parties in the initial application.
Commission staff also invites parties to comment on the following:
- The current approval process for tariff applications introducing a new speed tier that falls in an existing speed band;
- The current approval process for tariff applications introducing new speed tiers that deviate from existing speed bands where the proposed rate is supported by a cost study;
- The current approval process for tariff application that introduce new or adjusted terms of conditions; and
- The current approval process for applications that seek to destandardize or withdraw a speed or tier.
Commission staff sets out the following process to address this invitation for comments.
Parties identified in the Distribution List may file their respective comments with the Commission no later than 31 January 2025; TekSavvy and other parties may reply to the comments no later than 14 February 2025. Subsequently, any final interventions should be filed no later than 21 February 2025.
All documents filed and served must be received, not merely sent, by the date provided. Parties are to send an electronic copy of all documents to Commission staff copied on this letter and to all other parties.
Section 39 of the Telecommunications Act and Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-961 provides that persons may designate certain information submitted to the Commission as confidential. A detailed explanation of why the designated information is confidential and why its disclosure would not be in the public interest must be provided, including why the specific direct harm that would be likely to result from the disclosure would outweigh the public interest in its disclosure.
Yours Sincerely,
Original signed by
Chris Noonan
Director, Competitor Services & Costing Implementation
Telecommunications Sector
c.c.:
Abderrahman El Fatihi, CRTC 819-953-3662 AbderRahman.ElFatihi@crtc.gc.ca
Kangni Ayivi, CRTC 819-962-3324 kangni.ayivi@crtc.gc.ca
Distribution List:
Company; Company Email
- TekSavvy; regulatory@teksavvy.ca;
- Rogers Communications Canada Inc.; regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
- TELUS Communications Inc.; regulatory.affairs@telus.com ;
- CNOC; regulatory@cnoc.ca;
- Public Interest Advocacy Centre; jlawford@piac.ca;
- Distributel; regulatory-crtc@distributel.ca
- Date modified: