FRPC and PIAC request for oral hearing also denied
The CRTC last week denied a request from Telus asking for the regulator to separate its inquiry into whether new fees introduced by the largest telecoms are offside of the Wireless Code.
Telus had requested that the regulator first establish whether a violation has occurred and then determine whether an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) is required and what that should be. At issue are Bell’s new $40 device handling fee, Telus’s $15 charge for SIM cards, and Rogers’s $40 device setup charge — all of which the CRTC has indicated may be prohibited under its new activation fee rules, which took effect June 12.
Telus, with the backing of Bell and Rogers, has said the CRTC has not established why it believes they are violating the commission’s fee prohibitions. The three telecoms, which submitted justifications for the fees, argue the CRTC has not set out the case that the companies are required to meet.
In an updated notice of consultation published Aug. 14, however, the CRTC said the case to be met has already been established. “Specifically, the case to be met is whether the Companies’ practices are in compliance with the exemption for fees set out in the Act and implemented in the Wireless Code and the Internet Code through Telecom Regulatory Policy 2026-43,” the CRTC said.
The CRTC also said it will not hold an oral public hearing on matter, denying procedural requests from the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications (FRPC) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) to hold a two-day oral hearing, which the two organizations had suggested would be beneficial to developing the record of the proceeding.
“The Proceeding involves a single inquiry regarding the interpretation and compliance with one statutory provision of the Act,” the CRTC reasoned. “For these reasons, and consistent with recent practice, the Commission maintains that continuing by way of a written process is appropriate.”
The commission announced revised deadlines for submission of interventions (now Aug. 31) and replies (Sept. 8).
