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News Release
June 30, 1998
COMPETITION IN LOCAL
PAY TELEPHONE SERVICE
OTTAWA-HULL — Consumers will soon be able to expect increased choice in pay
telephone suppliers and new service options (Telecom Decision CRTC 98-8). Today's decision,
consistent with a series of CRTC decisions issued since 1 May 1997, is aimed at
improving competition in the public pay telephone market. In the past, Stentor member
telephone companies held a monopoly in this market.
Apart from the fact that consumers will now be able to choose the pay telephone service
that best meets their needs, the Commission considers that competition in this area will
also stimulate service innovation.
The rates charged by new entrants will not be regulated as market forces should be
sufficient to ensure they are reasonable. The Commission will, however, continue to
regulate the rates of existing pay telephone providers until competition is sustainable.
Safeguards
To protect the interests of consumers, the Commission will expect new entrants to meet
consumer safeguards prior to their access to the pay telephone market (see attached fact sheet). These safeguards must be included in
all contracts/service agreements entered into with local service providers.
As for the Stentor member companies, they must file their proposed pay telephone access
tariffs, including consumer safeguards, within 45 days of this decision.
Finally, the Commission intends to review the impact of this decision over the course
of the next three years.
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Contact: CRTC Communications Branch, Ottawa, K1A 0N2
Tel: (819) 997-0313, TDD: (819) 994-0423,
Fax: (819) 994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
Copies of today's decision are available through our Internet site ( http://www.crtc.gc.ca ) or by contacting the public
examination room of any CRTC office. These documents are available in alternative
format upon request.
City Telephone TDD Fax
Halifax (902) 426-7997 (902) 426-6997 (902) 426-2721
Montreal (514) 283-6607 (514) 283-8316 (514) 283-3689
Ottawa-Hull (819) 997-2429 (819) 994-0423 (819) 994-0218
Winnipeg (204) 983-6306 (204) 983-8274 (204) 983-6317
Vancouver (604) 666-2111 (604) 666-0778 (604) 666-8322
[français]
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