OTTAWA – Despite objections from MTS Allstream and Teksavvy Solutions, the CRTC has confirmed its interim approval of BCE’s plan to introduce usage-based billing for their wholesale residential Gateway Access Services. The Commission did, however, agree to vary the implementation date.
The CRTC originally granted approval for the proposal last August, allowing Bell Aliant and Bell Canada to introduce new speed options, useage-based billing rates and levy excessive usage charges (together, UBB) for their wholesale residential gateway access services (GAS).
MTS Allstream and Teksavvy Solutions filed applications in September requesting that the Commission review and vary its interim approvals as set out in Telecom Order 2009-484, claiming that implementing UBB on an interim basis would be too costly when the proposals may not be approved on the same terms on a final basis.
They also outlined labour and other start-up costs in various areas, including costs related to developing and implementing billing and other systems changes, the deployment of additional equipment and software, the redesign of retail services and marketing plans, consumer education, and responding to customer complaints.
The companies’ applications further argued that implementation of UBB by the deadline of November 10, 2009 “would cause confusion in the retail market, would increase regulatory uncertainty, and would not represent effective and efficient regulation”.
In a reply, the Bell companies said that any delay in implementing UBB would harm them because they have already modified their business plans and “incurred significant costs.”
The Commission said in its determination that interim approval of UBB “continues to be appropriate”. But it did agree to suspend the implementation date, and said that it would consider additional comments before issuing its final decision.
Click here to read the full decision.
