Bell supports Telus in home phone connectivity dispute, PIAC opposes

Interventions have been filed with the CRTC over Telus Corp.’s desire to cut home telephone service to the Kamloops region of British Columbia. The western telecom says its current infrastructure is outdated and it wants to migrate residents to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. The commission had asked the company to explain its reasoning earlier this year, saying commission staff were "concerned" the company's plans could jeopardize access to telephone services. BCE Inc. has since come out in support of its fellow incumbent. It argues technological changes make the disconnection necessary. “Telus no longer has any regulatory or legal obligations to provide these services in these communities because the necessary facilities, including the 3.5 GHz spectrum upon which Telus’ local exchange service to the relevant areas depends, are no longer available,” it states. The company also argues the technology used by Telus to provide the service is at the end of its life and was discontinued by the manufacturer more than 15 years ago. Bell says it disagrees with CRTC staff who suggested Telus was trying to exempt itself from existing obligations. It uses the analogy of an innkeeper whose inn has burned not being obliged to rebuild, or a ferry operator whose boat was using outdated technology not being required to replace the ferry. For its part, Telus said it believes it can offer its customers better service through better technology. The telephone system in place in the Kamloops region uses old wireless technology and requires spectrum to operate. The new one will use VoIP, which works by broadband connectivity and satellites. VoIP does not demand a fixed landline and can be used anywhere an internet connection exists. “Telus has already put in place a path to a positive outcome where customers can obtain an alternative service that is ultimately superior in many respects to the old service,” the firm wrote in a Part 1 application filed with the CRTC last month. Concerns raised over reliability, affordability Disagreeing with Bell is the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. Telephony services are mandatory, the group maintains. It questions Telus’ proposal to switch to VoIP technology. “In our view, satellite-based VoIP connections are often not only less reliable but also raise considerable affordability concerns,” the group remarks. “This runs the risk of not only affecting access to vital emergency and public safety services, but may also result in the eventual isolation of some of these customers who are unable to afford an alternative service.” The centre “submits that Telus is bound by its regulatory obligation to serve voice telephone services in these regions, either through similar means, mobile wireless service or other viable means,” it states. PIAC argues that, given the technology used by Telus for service in the area has not been made for 15 years, he telecom had more than adequate time to come up with a new plan. It states the firm should have prepared an alternative service to guarantee continued voice service in the affected areas. Also chastising Telus is Kamloops resident Victoria Dobbie. She notes the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) says it is seeking to provide better 5G coverage in the district. “Our area does not have cell service at all, so to take away our only affordable phone option to provide 5G, something we don’t have access to, is a pretty big slap in the face,” she states. She also points out that satellite internet and VoIP phones rely on electricity. When power goes out, the telephony might not work. Dobbie’s husband works on call and needs the phone service that operates during a blackout which analogue phones provide. She also questions how long Telus knew it would not be able to use the 3.5 GHz spectrum. The firm was told by ISED to stop using the spectrum in May 2023. Residents were given 60 days notice of the proposed changes to the system. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

Bell supports Telus in home phone connectivity dispute, PIAC opposes

News | June 21, 2024

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Bell supports Telus in home phone connectivity dispute, PIAC opposes

News | June 21, 2024

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