Order CRTC 2000-980

Ottawa, 26 October 2000

Reference: Tariff Notice 6489

1.

Order CRTC 2000-351, dated 28 April 2000, directed Bell Canada to file a proposed tariff giving customers the option to pay for service extensions not covered by a Service Improvement Plan on a reasonable installment basis.

2.

Bell Canada proposed the following terms for the Installment Payment Plan (IPP):

· Installment payments may be spread over a period of up to 12 months.

· Interest is charged on the unpaid balance at the late payment charge rate (prime plus 7%).

· A minimum deposit of 20% of the construction charge is to be paid prior to the start of construction.

· Maximum construction charges of $10,000 per customer premise are eligible for the IPP.

· IPP is available to residence customers only.

3.

Bell Canada stated that its approach is consistent with the concerns outlined by the Commission with respect to penetration rates for lower income groups, as well as the need to maintain affordable telephone service for the vast majority of Canadian households.

4.

The Commission considers that the Installment Payment Plan will meet the above requirements, with the following to replace the first two terms outlined above:

· Installment payments may be spread over a period of up to 36 months.

· Interest is charged on the unpaid balance of construction charges at the rate of Bell Canada's cost of capital.

5.

The Commission directs the company to issue revised tariff pages with an effective date of 27 November 2000.

6.

Bell Canada filed the application on 27 June 2000 to revise Item 150 of its General Tariff.

Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca