Yesterday, at Audit & Administration Committee, staff brought forward the following recommendation which passed at Committee:

“That the City of Hamilton request Bell Canada to proceed with the required filing to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in order to extend local calling to the following exchanges: Ancaster, Binbrook, Dundas, Freelton, Galt, Hamilton, Lynden, Mount Hope, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Winona.”

After looking into this issue, I have a couple of concerns. First of all, telecommunications issues are not municipal and the city has no jurisdiction as it relates to the CRTC. My other concern is that I don’t think it’s entirely fair that West Mountain residents potentially now have to subsidize outlining communities so they can have local calling privileges.

With the partial de-regulation of the phone business, there are also other options that could be considered (i.e. digital phones / VoIP).

Let me know your thoughts on this issue…