Telecommunications
Overview
Bell Canada's Service Improvement Program
The CRTC announced its approval of Bell Canada's proposal for a Service Improvement Program (SIP) in December 1997. Bell Canada began implementation of the program on January 1, 1998, and expects to complete the program by the year 2004. The program includes the following:
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eliminating all extra mileage charges;
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offering, within two years, single-party service to the majority of customers still using four-party service, thereby giving them the potential to access 9-1-1 service, enhanced telephone features, and Internet and fax services;
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upgrading network facilities in northern Ontario and Québec within four years; and
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extending toll-free local calling to 6.8 million customers in 642 exchanges. This will ensure that over 1.9 million customers in smaller communities have extended local calling to regional centres which are currently long distance calls, thereby providing rural customers with local calling access to the range of government, business, and community services they use.
Service to High-Cost Service Areas
The CRTC examined telecommunications service to high-cost service areas, particularly rural and remote areas, early in 1999. It examined how best to provide service, and at what cost (i.e. whether to maintain subsidies, and if so, how), given the introduction of competition in this sector.
It appears as though OFA made some gains regarding service provision in this proceeding, with the CRTC prescribing a minimum basic level of service for telecommunications customers. However, issues may still arise surrounding rates and pricing for telecommunications services.
Service Upgrades in Areas Served by Independent Telephone Companies
The independent telephone companies, represented by the Ontario Telephone Association (OTA), requested OFA's assistance and support in gaining approval from the CRTC for a plan which would allow independent telephone companies to upgrade their services to rural areas. The improvements proposed were similar to Bell Canada's Service Improvement Program (SIP). The CRTC's decision was released in the spring of 1999. The result of the decision is that residential customers of independent telephone companies will see their basic service rates increase to $19.85 per month effective July 1, 1999 (this is an increase of between $0.40 and $9.55 per month); possibly experience further basic rate increases of up to $10 in two years; and potentially, increases in fees for optional services, without any guarantee of gaining a choice in long distance provider. For this increase in rates, some residents will receive service improvements through the Basic Access Service Improvement proposal. It is difficult to assess the full extent of service improvements to OFA members serviced by independent telephone companies due to the different service levels currently offered by each company.
Submissions & Correspondence
Canadian Radio - Television and Telecommunications Commission
(January 1, 2001)
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