TO: Secretary General, CRTC

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

FROM: Frederick Driver

Victoria BC

I have received notice that BC Tel is applying for yet another rate

increase on the pretext of a "Service Improvement Plan".

I write to oppose any rate increase.

The number and amount of BC Tel rate increases in recent years has been

astronomical. Rates for basic phone service have increased exponentially.

This is nothing but an attack on the poor. The cost of basic, no-frills

phone service has reached the point where many low-income people will not

be able to afford it.

This is unacceptable. Basic phone service is a necessity for

all. Further rate increases will have no significant effect on business

or the well off, but will place serious hardship on low income earners or

the unemployed, perhaps even cutting them off from this life-line of

communication, essential to maintain social integration and employment

opportunity.

BC Tel should if necessary increase the rates for non-essential extras

such as call alert, voicemail boxes, caller ID, (perhaps even

long-distance through re-regulation), and should REDUCE the rates for

basic telephone service.

The CRTC has a responsibility to regulate to ensure that basic telephone

service is affordable and accessible to all Canadians.

Thank you for the opportunity for input in this matter and for your

consideration.

Sincerely,

Frederick Driver

Victoria BC