OTTAWA – Saying it would be "revenue neutral", Bell Aliant and Bell Canada have asked the CRTC for permission to take its $55 service connection charge and have all their customers pay 80-cents a month more instead.
On Friday, the CRTC called for comments in a public proceeding on the matter.
"The companies submitted that this would align their pricing practices with those of their competitors, and thus to better position their residential services in the competitive marketplace," says the Commission’s release.
"The companies argued that they were the only provider of residential local telephone services in their respective territories that applies a service charge to connect new or moving customers. The companies submitted that the elimination of the SCC would remove an economic barrier for certain customers to initially obtain service or to maintain service when they move. They added that it would simplify their contacts with their customers by reducing the number of pricing elements to be explained and eliminating the need for affordability programs, such as the installment payment option associated with these service charges."
The Commission has already received comments from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre asking for the public notice on the applications – as well as Bell Canada’s reply comments.
Bell and Bell Aliant opposed the request for a public notice (probably realizing the issue will be viewed as a rate increase for everyone) but the Commission granted PIAC its request.
