VANCOUVER – On Thursday, the CRTC deregulated 35 exchanges for local business phone services in Telus regions in Alberta, B.C. and Quebec, including all major metropolitan areas.
"We welcome today’s announcement by the CRTC of deregulation of local telecommunications services for businesses in these regions. It will allow Telus to bring the full benefits of competition to these customers, providing us with the flexibility to quickly bring creative offers to the marketplace while continuing our investment in technology and innovation for the benefit of businesses across the country. We look forward to similar decisions that will enable us to do the same in other communities," said Janet Yale, Telus executive vice-president, corporate affairs in a press release.
The company applied for deregulation of local business phone services in these 35 exchanges on June 15, 2007 on the basis that significant competition exists for business customers in these communities. As a result, for the first time, TELUS will be able to bring their business customers promotions and bundled services, including wireless and data, tailored to meet their specific calling needs.
The new rules allow incumbent telecommunications carriers to apply to the Commission for deregulation in any community where customers can choose between service providers and where they meet specific quality of service measures for six months. The new rules state that local business services will be deregulated where there is a choice of at least two phone providers with their own network infrastructure.
