OTTAWA – The CRTC has launched a public proceeding to set out rules regarding the installation of a network interconnection device (NID) when the incumbent local exchange carrier’s (ILEC) network is disconnected from the inside wire at the home of a residential customer who has elected to take a cable telephone service and no longer wishes to use any services provided on the ILEC’s network (Telecom Public Notice 2007-3).
The commission is asking for comment on whether a NID should be installed at the premises of a residential customer when no such device is present; should the cableco or ILEC install the NID if it is required; and who should pay for the cost of the NID and its installation.
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Ltd. Partnership, Bell Canada, Cogeco Cable Canada Inc., Eastlink, MTS Allstream Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (RCCI), Saskatchewan Telecommunications, Shaw Communications Inc., Telus Communications, and Videotron are all parties to the proceeding. Any other parties interested in participating, including receiving copies of all submissions, must notify the CRTC by March 29.
Written comments on the CRTC’s questions must be sent to the commission and all participating parties by April 18. Interrogatories will follow around several deadlines, and all parities must have any written follow-up arguments filed with the commission by July 3.
The commission expects to issue a decision within 150 days of the record closing on July 9, the deadline for reply to the follow-up arguments.
The proceeding stems from one outstanding issue in a dispute between Bell Canada and Videotron over the cableco’s installation practices at the premises of customers subscribing to its cable telephony service.
Bell filed a part VII application on March 15, 2006 over the matter. The commission suspended the Part VII process a month later to allow the two parties to resolve the dispute through negotiations. A number of issues were resolved, but Bell and Videotron could not come to an agreement with regard to the installation of the NID.
The Part VII process resumed in September 2006, and not even CRTC staff-assisted mediation in November 2006 was able to produce a breakthrough.
RCCI, Shaw and Eastlink requested a public proceeding on the matter. The commission initiated such a proceeding because it “considers that the remaining issue in dispute [between Bell and Videotron] raises concerns that are common to all larger incumbent local exchange carriers.”
