CRTC reorganizes telecom branch; streamlines structure for efficiency

The CRTC has reorganized its telecom directorate into six core groups and one converged section. The federal regulator expects the new system, which went into effect on February 1, will be more efficient as well as streamlined. Reporting to the executive director will be sections on Financial Analysis; Tariff and Service Costing; Independent Carrier Relations; Technology, International Satellite and Wireless; Policy, Number Administration and Consumer; and Competition Implementation and Dispute Resolution. The financial analysis group has responsibility for all financial filings and proceedings. It will handle matters such as price caps, service improvement programs, contribution, CATS and others. The section's director is Louis Meduri. Paul Godin, the director of decisions & independent company, is now running the independent carrier relations section. His renewed mandate includes developing appropriate regulatory framework for the independent companies. The commission is hoping to make the regulations less burdensome for the firms. Tariff filings such as retail, carrier, and price caps will fall under the purview of the tariff and service costing group. Employees in this section will handle competitive disputes, inter-carrier agreements, and regulatory review on an "as needed" basis. Quality of service will also be mandated to this group, which is under the direction of Dave Bell. Leo Mevel will continue handling international policy in a section renamed technology, international, satellite and wireless. The CRTC created this group in recognition of the erosion of distinctions between the various sectors. This division will monitor changes in the international and satellite industries as they change from monopoly to competition. Another new section will deal with policies on numbering under the North American Numbering Plan. This is a priority item, as numbers will soon be exhausted on the continent. The policy, numbering administration and consumer group will also interpret the commission policies and ensure the rulings result in a marketplace more conducive to consumer satisfaction. The position of director has yet to be filled. The competition implementation group, under the leadership of Campbell Laidlaw, will promote the use of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) to resolve telecom disputes and will also handle matters like payphone competition, 911, directory assistance and operator services. Ted Woodhead will be working on the convergence hub. The section deals with files that have an impact on both telecommunications and broadcasting. Rights of way and access are examples of issues this group will deal with. The changes to the telecom sector come on the heels of a similar re-alignment in the CRTC's broadcasting directorate late last year.

CRTC reorganizes telecom branch; streamlines structure for efficiency

News | 03/08/2000 5:00 am EST

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