OTTAWA – The CRTC has given Bell Canada and Bell Mobility some rather specific instructions on how to use $6.5 million of Bell Canada’s deferral account funds to improve access to telecommunications services for persons with disabilities.
In its decision Wednesday, the Commission:
– approved the use of $3.4 million for the proposed Technology, Product Support, and Lifecycle Management initiatives;
– approved the use of $1.5 million for the Direct Marketing initiative, conditional on the filing of a complete and detailed plan;
– denied the use of $1.6 million for the proposed Remote Device Management, Enhanced Website Upgrade and Comprehensive Accessibility Training, Mass Marketing, and Mental Health initiatives, and Honorariums; and
– directed Bell Canada to report on the commencement of implementation of the approved initiatives and to file annual reports on these initiatives.
The Regulator also directed Bell Canada to show cause, within 60 days of the date of this decision, why it should not be required to use the $1.6 million of unallocated deferral account funds for one or more of the initiatives identified in this decision.
In this show cause proceeding, the Commission also invited comments on its preliminary view that Bell Canada should be allowed to use some of its unallocated deferral account funds to offer its Technology initiatives to wireless customers outside its operating territory in Ontario and Quebec. Interventions regarding Bell Canada’s submission and the Commission’s preliminary view are due prior to January 22, and Bell Canada may file replies to interventions by February 2, 2015.
