Residential Telephone Service Survey May, 1999 [Canada] (Weight 96)

The latest quarter was conducted in May 1999 as a supplement to the Labour Force Survey. Bell Canada and other companies are from time to time negotiating local service pricing options for phone rates with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission. Penetration rates are the most reliable indicator of affordability as there is no price range that can be identified as affordable or not affordable. As a result, the importance of monitoring any changes in phone penetration rates and analysing the reasons for nonsubscribers is necessary to properly guide regulators in decisions about rate increases, decreases or subsidies.