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Order CRTC 2001-769
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Ottawa, 11 October 2001 |
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Saskatchewan Telecommunications – Payphone compensation per
call and competitive payphone toll-free tracking report
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Reference: Tariff notice 20 |
1. |
On 7 August 2001, Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) filed
an application to introduce items 650.24 and 650.26, payphone
compensation per call for toll-free calls originating from
competitive payphones and a competitive payphone toll-free tracking
report service, respectively, to its Competitor Access Tariff (CRTC
21414). SaskTel noted that the Commission approved tariffs for these
services for Bell Canada, MTS Communications Inc., TELUS
Communications Inc. and TELUS Communications (B.C.) Inc., and
Northwestel Inc.
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2. |
SaskTel's proposed tariff items are similar to those approved for
the aforementioned companies, namely $0.25 per completed toll-free
call and for the competitive payphone toll-free tracking report
service, $250 per customer per month plus a usage-sensitive rate of
$0.02 per call to a maximum of $500 per month, plus $0.01 per call
for monthly usage over $500.
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3. |
In a letter dated 31 August 2001, Call-Net Enterprises Inc. noted
that the Commission approved similar tariffs for other incumbent
local exchange carriers (ILECs) such as Bell Canada, Aliant Telecom
Inc. and TELUS Communications Inc. However, Call-Net stated that
this approval was granted without the benefit of actual experience.
In Call-Net's view, actual experience indicates that interexchange
carriers (IXCs) cannot effectively manage their toll-free business
without the ability to identify payphone originating toll-free calls
in real-time. Call-Net requested that before the Commission approves
SaskTel's request, SaskTel should first demonstrate that it
transmits the signalling information required for an IXC to identify
which toll-free calls originate from payphones. If SaskTel cannot or
will not provide the requested information, then Call-Net asked the
Commission to deny SaskTel's application.
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4. |
By letter dated 7 September 2001, SaskTel noted that Call-Net's
request reflects issues that have been introduced to the CRTC
Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) Network Working Group in
Call-Net's contribution NTCO143. SaskTel believed that the CISC is
the appropriate forum in which to address toll-free interface issues
and toll-free signalling concerns.
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5. |
The Commission notes that on 30 April 2001, Call-Net submitted a
letter on behalf of itself and Sprint Canada Inc. (Call-Net et al.)
outlining deficiencies in the "TR-317+" network signaling
protocol used for toll-free access between ILECs and IXCs. Call-Net
et al. requested that the Commission direct CISC to examine how to
implement a new signaling protocol (TR/GR-394) and to issue a report
within 60 days for implementing TR/GR-394 protocol for toll-free
interconnection.
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6. |
In Decision CRTC 2001-606, Call-Net et al. – Pay telephone
billing, invoicing and other issues, dated 25 September
2001, the Commission noted that discussions related to the request
by Call-Net et al. had been initiated in the CISC network
interconnection group. Given that discussions were underway, the
Commission considered that a further 60 days from the date of
Decision 2001-606 should give the committee adequate time to prepare
its report. The Commission stated that it expects the report to
identify the costs and benefits of implementing TR/GR-394 for
toll-free interconnection and a timeline for implementation.
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7. |
As the concerns raised by Call-Net in its 31 August 2001 letter
have been addressed in Decision 2001-606, the Commission considers
it appropriate to approve SaskTel's TN 20.
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Secretary General
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This document is available in alternative format upon request
and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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