= ~
Test

SY

News Release

DATE: DECEMBER 7, 1992

SUBJECT: BC TEL TO EXPAND LOCAL CALLING LN THE LOWER
MAINLAND

CONTACT: NORM BLAIN, 4REA COMMUNICATIONS MGR,
663-5027 (QO) 977-4504 (Par) 599-6633 (TH)

By the end of this year, BC TEL will file a proposal ‘ith the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunicadons Commission (CRTC) to allow
customers throughout the Lower Mainland — fram Bowen Island to
Abbotsford and Mission — to call each other without incurring long distance

charges.

‘The proposal is a response to customer demand for a simpler, more consistent
and equitable local calling structuce, The existing local calling areas served
customers’ iceds in the most economical manner al the time they were
established, but grew in a piccemeal fashion resulting in varfadons in rates and

sizes of the areas.

"Today, as people move to communities cast of Vancouver, a coordinated
regional approach to economic development is emerging,” says Roy Osing, BC
TEL's vice-president, small business and consumer division, “A supporting
regional infrastructure «» of which telecommunications is a key part —~ {s

essential,”

If the proposal is approved by the CRTC, Lower Mainland residents will
benefit directly in several ways:

They will be able to call throughout the Lower Mainland for a fixed

monthly cate;
They will be abls to maintain better contact with family, friends and

work;

They will have greater access to goods and services throughout the
region;

The proposal offers an casy to understand, fairer rate structure;
Customers who call frequently to areas ouside their local calling zones
will soe a decreage in their monthly telephone bills.