December 4, 2000

OTTAWA-HULL — What does the approved service improvement plan (SIP) mean for people living in Amtelecom’s territory?

• An estimated 274 previously unserved customers will have access to telephone service for the first time. An estimated 1,273 party-line subscribers will be upgraded to individual line service.
  
• Amtelecom’s SIP will ensure that its customers have access to the basic service:

- Single line touch-tone service with local access to the Internet;

- Enhanced calling features, including 911, voice message relay service for those with hearing difficulties, and features that protect privacy;

- Access to operator and directory assistance services;

- Access to long distance; and

- A copy of the current local telephone directory.

• A single local rate increase of $5.25 for individual line residences and businesses, excluding individual line rural residential rates in the Manitoulin exchange, effective on January 1^st, 2001, will result in a monthly residential rate of $25.10.
  
• Amtelecom will extend service where the cost to extend service does not exceed $15,000 per customer taking service. This includes each customer’s $1,000 payment for service extension.
  
• Customers will have 12 months to pay the $1,000 amount. Amtelecom will be allowed to request a non-refundable deposit no greater than $200, payable in the first month of the instalment plan.
  
• There will be no interest charges on outstanding instalment amounts. However, Amtelecom will be allowed to charge its tariffed late payment interest rate for late payments of instalments due each month.
  
• Amtelecom’s request to establish new extended area service (EAS) is denied at this time since it has not provided evidence that any of the new links meet the criteria for EAS.
  
• Amtelecom’s service improvement plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2004.

Reference document:  Order CRTC 2000-1097