Call-Net applauds long-awaited CRTC decision to lower CDNA charges
04 February 2005 - 8:39AM
PR Newswire (US)
Call-Net applauds long-awaited CRTC decision to lower CDNA charges
TORONTO, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Call-Net Enterprises Inc.
a national provider of residential and business communications
services today applauded the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) decision to lower the price
of competitor digital network access (CDNA) facilities and services
provided to competitive local exchange carriers. The decision is
expected to reduce carrier charges in 2005 by more than $25
million. A portion of these reductions have been granted
retroactive to June 2002. This amount is estimated to be less than
$10 million. The decision, CRTC 2005-6, accepts Call-Net's position
that certain digital network access (DNA) facilities and services
are essential to the promotion of competition in the local and data
service market. It further establishes the terms, conditions and
rates competitors will pay for these services. "With today's
decision, the CRTC has acknowledged our position that certain DNA
facilities are essential to the promotion of competition in the
Canadian telecommunications market for the benefit of consumers and
businesses," said Bill Linton, president and chief executive
officer of Call-Net. "The decision will allow Call-Net to make its
competitive services available to a broader customer base by
investing in expanding its service areas and service offerings to
business and consumers." Added Linton, "This is a vote of
confidence for competition in this country. The CRTC has taken yet
another major step toward ensuring that businesses and consumers
benefit fully from competition in all aspects of telecommunications
and in all areas of the country." A more detailed analysis of the
impact of today's decision will be available on Wednesday, February
23, 2005 when the Company issues its operating and financial
results for the fourth quarter of 2004 and the year ended December
31, 2004. About Call-Net Enterprises Inc. Call-Net Enterprises
Inc., (TSX: FON, FON.NV.B) primarily through its wholly owned
subsidiary Sprint Canada Inc., is a leading Canadian integrated
communications solutions provider of home phone, wireless, long
distance and IP services to households, and local, long distance,
toll free, enhanced voice, data and IP services to businesses
across Canada. Call-Net, headquartered in Toronto, owns and
operates an extensive national fibre network, has over 151
co-locations in five major urban areas including 33 municipalities
and maintains network facilities in the United States and the
United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.callnet.ca/
and http://www.sprint.ca/. Note for Investors: This news release
may include statements about expected future events and/or
financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to
risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the
protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements
provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The Company cautions that actual performance will be
affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond its
control. Future events and results may vary substantially from what
the company currently foresees. Discussion of the various factors
that may affect future results is contained in the company's recent
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario
Securities Commission and SEDAR. DATASOURCE: Call-Net Enterprises
Inc. CONTACT: Karen O'Leary, (416) 718-6445,
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