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Telecom Public Notice
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Ottawa, 23 April 1991
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Telecom Public Notice CRTC 1991-23
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NEWFOUNDLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED - INTRODUCTION OF CALL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
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Reference: Tariff Notice 57
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The Commission has received an application from Newfoundland Telephone Company Limited (Newfoundland Tel), dated 20 December 1990, for approval of tariff revisions providing for the introduction of Call Management Service (CMS). CMS provides customers with a number of network control features based on the identification of the telephone number of the party placing the call. These features include:
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(1) Call Return, which allows a customer to return a call to the last incoming number by dialing an access code;
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(2) Call Trace, which allows customers to record and store details of the last incoming call (this information would be available only to Newfoundland Tel's security department who, upon the customer's request, would forward it to an appropriate law enforcement agency, e.g., in the case of obscene or threatening calls);
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(3) Call Number Display, which, when used with a compatible telephone set, provides a visual display of a calling party's telephone number.
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The monthly rates proposed for an initial feature are $4.95 for residence customers and $6.95 for business customers. Each additional feature is priced at $2.95 per month for residence customers and $4.95 per month for business customers. Telephone sets required for use with Call Display would be available at an additional charge of $5.95 per month for both residence and business customers.
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For calling parties who do not wish to have their telephone numbers displayed on CMS terminals, Newfoundland Tel proposes to offer a blocking service. Subscribers will be able to access this service by placing calls through the local operator. A proposed charge of $0.70 applies to each call.
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In Bell Canada - Introduction of Call Management Service, Telecom Decision CRTC 90-10, 9 May 1990 (Decision 90-10), the Commission approved the introduction of CMS in the operating territory of Bell Canada (Bell), subject to certain safeguards designed to take into account the impact of CMS on the privacy of persons placing calls and of persons receiving calls. On 6 June 1990, the Association coopérative d'économie familiale du Centre de Montréal, the Fédération nationale des associations de consommateurs du Québec, and the Ligue des droits et libertés (ACEF) filed an application pursuant to section 66 of the National Telecommunications Powers and Procedures Act requesting that the Commission review and vary Decision 90-10. On 9 July 1990, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, on behalf of the Consumers Fight Back Association (CFBA), also applied to the Commission for a review and variance of Decision 90-10. In their applications, ACEF and CFBA argued, among other things, that the Commission had made several errors of law in approving Bell's introduction of CMS. Specifically, they raised concerns with respect to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 184 of the Criminal Code, the Privacy Act, and Bell's Terms of Service.
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In Introduction by Bell Canada of Call Management Service - Applications to Review and Vary, Telecom Decision CRTC 91-4, 7 March 1991, the Commission concluded that it had not made the errors of law cited by ACEF and CFBA. Accordingly, the Commission denied these applications to review and vary Decision 90-10.
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In support of its application, Newfoundland Tel has submitted economic information for which it has claimed confidentiality. It has also provided an abridged version of this information for the public record.
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In Telecom Order CRTC 91-549, 18 April 1991, the Commission granted interim approval to Tariff Notice 57. However, prior to final disposition of the application, the Commission invites public comment on the proposed rates, terms and conditions for CMS and for the telephone set for use with Call Number Display, and the operator-assisted blocking service.
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1. The application may be examined at any of the company's business offices or at the offices of the CRTC, Room 201, Central Building, Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, 1 Promenade du Portage, Hull, Quebec, or Suite 1007, Bank of Commerce Building, 1809 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. A copy of the application may be obtained by any interested person upon request directed to the company at the address shown below.
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2. The mailing addresses to be used in connection with this proceeding are:
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Mr. Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
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and
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Mr. D.R. Tarrant
General Manager -
Rates & Regulatory Matters
Newfoundland Telephone Company Limited
Fort William Building
P.O. Box 2110
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1C 5H6
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3. The Commission has addressed interrogatories to Newfoundland Tel in connection with its application. The company has been directed to file responses to the Commission's interrogatories by 4 June 1991. Anyone wishing to receive copies of Newfoundland Tel's responses must notify the company in writing, serving a copy on the Commission, by 28 May 1991. Newfoundland Tel is to serve copies of its interrogatory responses, by 4 June 1991, on anyone who has filed such a notice.
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4. Persons wishing to comment on the application (interveners) may do so by writing to the Commission, serving a copy on Newfoundland Tel, by 25 June 1991.
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5. Newfoundland Tel may file a reply to any comments, serving copies on the interveners, by 9 July 1991.
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6. Where a document is to be filed or served by a specific date, the document must be actually received, not merely mailed, by that date.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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