Industry committee  Sure. Right now, the rates for local phone service charged by the large local telephone companies (Bell, Telus, Aliant, Sasktel, etc.) have to be approved by an independent commission appointed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the “CRTC”).

Industry committee  I don't understand that last question.

Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  We thought it was, particularly since, notwithstanding the advice of our pollster, we put in the magic negative word of “CRTC” in the question to ensure that it was completely fair and objective. As you may know, when putting “CRTC” in a question that effectively supports their a

Industry committee  We also participated in a survey together with the major telephone companies prior to the telecom review panel report. That was filed with the TRP and is contained in their submissions.

Industry committee  The questions that were asked with the joint poll were different questions, and to some extent the answers mirrored that result. To some extent they didn't.

Industry committee  Do you mean the one for the TRP?

Industry committee  No, we filed that and—

Industry committee  Yes, we endorsed it, and it went forward to the panel.

Industry committee  No, not necessarily. I have seen the recent survey that's been filed from Ipsos Reid by the telephone companies, and I've noted the fact that only 14% were aware of the different changes and the fact that one of the key questions has 100 words of introduction before it gets to th

Industry committee  I think you're right that it would be very difficult for new entrants or small competitors to compete in an effective way with the incumbent telephone companies and the cable companies. Once again, the best prediction of the future is probably the past in that regard. There's bee

Industry committee  Well, our submissions, particularly before the CRTC in this forbearance decision, were based upon the expert advice that was furnished to us by witnesses who were skilled in both competition and in the telecommunications industry, that effectively what you needed to have was prob

Industry committee  In my estimation, we're starting off with circumstances where most of the incumbent telephone companies sell about a 90% share of residential markets. If you're starting off implementing reforms that effectively free them up to make greater inroads presumably in that market share

Industry committee  I can speak to your three points. First of all, I think the appropriate mechanism is to make sure there's independent, accurate information associated with the industry and the state of competition in any of the different local forbearance areas, and that it's maintained and bro

Industry committee  Quality of service was a matter that the commission found in CRTC decision 2006-15 could be looked to by competition. The problem may well be that the individual providers may take more care in the provision of service to their high-volume customers than to their low-volume custo