Canadian Network Operators Consortium

TORONTO, Oct. 29 /CNW/ - The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) is today disappointed that the CRTC, in Telecom Decision 2010-802, has failed to recognize the harm to both customers and competitive Internet service providers that will occur in light of the changes it approved for Bell's proposed usage based billing framework. In the decision released yesterday, the Commission relieved Bell of certain conditions that the CRTC applied when it approved Bell's application to introduce usage-based billing in May 2010. These conditions were intended to ensure that Bell does not enjoy a competitive advantage when usage based billing is implemented.

"With these decisions the CRTC has made it very difficult for independent internet and technology solution providers to continue to innovate and provide differentiated services to our clients at affordable rates" said William Sandiford, President of CNOC. "Requiring competitive Internet service providers to mirror Bell's retail usage based billing plans and rates will remove competitive choice from the market, to the detriment of consumers" added Matt Stein, CNOC VP of Corporate Communication.

CNOC believes that Internet service providers must be allowed to implement innovative and differentiated practices in order to respond to customer demand and ensure all customers receive the highest quality of service. Requiring Internet service providers that use pieces of Bell's network to provide retail services to apply the same usage based billing plans as Bell removes this ability. The removal of the conditions that had been previously imposed on Bell places competitors at an even further competitive disadvantage.
Sandiford added, "At this point we are going to take some time and review the decision with our council before deciding on what further action we may take".

About CNOC
The Canadian Networks Operators Consortium (CNOC) is composed of over 20 competitive telecommunications services providers currently operating in many regions of Canada. The objectives of CNOC are:
1. To represent the interests of those bodies corporate in Canada that own or operate wireline networks, in whole or in part, and are involved in the competitive provision of communications services to the public over those networks;
2. To promote innovation and productivity in Canada, as well as Canada's international competitiveness through the removal of barriers to increased competition in the provision of communications services;
3. To influence the development of laws and regulations, regulatory and judicial determinations, as well as public policy affecting communications in Canada;
4. To be the recognized and visible authority on the Canadian provision of competitive communications services;
5. To ensure that high levels of knowledge, training and ethics are adopted by Canadian competitive communications service providers;
6. To increase the level of competitive communications services business in the Canadian economy.

For more information please visit our website at www.cnoc.ca

For further information:

For media inquiries please contact Matt Stein, VP Corporate Communications, at [phone] or [email protected]

For general CNOC inquiries please contact Bill Sandiford, President, at [phone] or [email protected]