Bell applauds commission decision on retail tariff procedures

Bell Canada is lauding the CRTC for making it easier for incumbent telephone companies to change prices in still-regulated markets without requiring prior commission approval." decision will allow Bell Canada to respond quicker in the market when it makes changes to its services in areas where it is regulated. The decision reduces unnecessary regulatory delay and uncertainty," said Bell in an email to Network Letter regarding the commission's August 21 decision.Telecom Decision 2008-74 eliminated some of the steps which ILECs had to go through to alter prices in still-regulated markets. In its decision, the CRTC determined that for certain tariffs, the requirement to file cost studies and other details regarding price changes, were no longer necessary.Consumers are the big winners as a result of this decision, according to Bell. "Since Bell Canada will now be able to implement changes in the market (even for regulated services) in a quicker fashion, consumers will benefit from increased intensity of competition that will result from this decision. For example, Bell will be able to respond in the market without having to wait for the regulator to approve its price changes," Bell said.Competitive providers have argued in the past that the ILECs don't need additional pricing flexibility in regions where competitive forces aren't sufficient to discipline the market. Bell said the CRTC addressed those concerns by maintaining the rule for an upper and lower limit to prices."There is nothing in these decisions that change those rules. The only difference is that the ILECs can now certify compliance with those requirements rather than having to demonstrate to the CRTC and wait for the CRTC to confirm the ILECs findings," wrote Bell. "In short, there is no change to the regulatory rules, just the unnecessary processes and delays imposed by the old regime. Thus, there is no merit to such arguments."Network Letter will have additional reaction to the decision in the coming days.

Bell applauds commission decision on retail tariff procedures

News | August 23, 2008

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Bell applauds commission decision on retail tariff procedures

News | August 23, 2008

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