TORONTO – Lawyers for Look Communications and Bell Canada battled in court yesterday over fees for the telco’s services, the latest development in a months-old dispute over billing amounting to millions of dollars.
In April, Bell notified the MDS and Internet service provider that it intended to disconnect its services for overdue accounts, which Bell said amounted to more than $13 million. Bell gave Look 30 days to pay $5 million of its bill and make arrangements to pay off the rest, or else it would terminate services.
Look soon filed a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Bell, alleging, among other things, “numerous breaches of contract, misrepresentations and abusive behaviour by Bell Canada towards Look.”
Look claimed a total of $25 million in damages plus interest, costs, and taxes, including $10 million for aggravated and/or punitive damages.
Also in April, Look filed a Part VII application with the CRTC, seeking an order that Bell comply with its terms of service.
On May 8, Look filed a motion seeking a court injunction preventing Bell from cutting off services.
On May 9, the companies announced they had reached a temporary postponement of Bell’s notice of intent to disconnect. Bell agreed not to disconnect Look’s services until the CRTC rules in the matter. Once that decision comes out, Bell agreed not to suspend services with Look for five business days. Look announced it was going ahead with seeking a court injunction to stop the termination of services until that time.
On July 13, Bell served Look with a statement of defence and counterclaim, seeking damages amounting to $2.3 million for credit notes issued by Bell, and $1 million in aggravated and/or punitive damages.
In court yesterday, Look claimed that Bell made grave errors in billing that could result in Look losing its 60,000 customers if its service is cut off, according to the National Post.
The judge is expected to decide on the matter this week.
