Letter

Our File: 8663-C12-200614439

Ottawa, 16 January 2008

By Electronic mail

Dear Ms. Teresa Griffin-Muir and Mr. Mirko Bibic:

Re:   Review of regulatory framework for wholesale services and definition of essential service - Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2006-14

The Commission is in receipt of a letter from Bell Canada, dated 14 December 2007, in response to the reply comments filed in the above noted proceeding by MTS Allstream Inc. (MTS Allstream) dated 7 December 2007.   In its letter Bell   Canada asked that the comments of MTS Allstream at paragraphs 73 to 75 of its reply comments be struck from the record.   In the alternative, Bell Canada filed materials with the Commission, in confidence, regarding the mark-up for the services in question.

MTS Allstream replied on 20 December 2007 and requested that Bell Canada's request as stated in its 14 December 2007 letter be denied and further requested that the record of the proceeding, including all information filed by Bell   Canada and MTS Allstream, be left to stand.   MTS Allstream also stated that any prejudice that may have arisen due to its submissions at paragraph 75, were mitigated by the submissions filed in confidence with the Commission by Bell   Canada in its 14 December 2007 letter.

Commission staff considers that the materials set out in paragraphs 73 to 75 of MTS Allstream's reply comments, dated 7 December 2007 , are relevant to the current proceeding and are closely associated with other materials already on the record of this proceeding.   Furthermore, Commission staff considers that any potential prejudice that Bell Canada may have suffered has been attenuated by the further submissions made, in confidence to the Commission, in its 14 December 2007 letter.   Consequently, in reply to Bell   Canada 's request, Commission staff considers that it would be inappropriate to strike MTS Allstream's comments from the record of the proceeding.

Yours sincerely,

(Original signed by)

Robert G. Martin
Senior Manager, Essential Services
Telecommunications
Tel:         819-953-3361
email:       robert.martin@crtc.gc.ca

cc:    Interested Parties to PN 2006-14