Bell Canada’s plan to use deferral account funds to finance the expansion of its HSPA+ network in rural Ontario and Quebec will “future proof” rural communities better than than its previous DSL plan, the company said in reply comments filed with the CRTC last week.

Bell responded to comments from competitors that said the company’s proposal to spend $463 million in deferral account funds would amount to mismanagement of the funds and give Bell an unfair competitive advantage. 

Deferral accounts are funds collected from Bell Canada’s urban phone customers during the last price cap period, 2002 to 2006. The funds are to be used to provide broadband Internet access in rural and remote areas where it is not financially viable to do so without a subsidy.

Contact Ryan O'Neill at 613-232-5952 ext. 222 or roneill@thewirereport.ca
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