In the Canadian Press article by Lia Lévesque “Accès aux poteaux de Bell : urgent de ramener Bell à l’ordre, dit Vidéotron,” Bell is quoted as stating that “Videotron is the only company that has not yet signed the new agreements offered by Bell and Hydro-Québec to facilitate access to their poles.”
This assertion is false and once again calls into question Bell’s good faith in the matter of access to support structures.
Contrary to Bell’s claims, Videotron signed an agreement with Hydro-Québec on February 11 to speed up the pole access process.
Meanwhile, Bell is requiring a signed form for each access request. On February 11, Videotron asked Bell to switch to a comprehensive agreement, such as the one signed with Hydro-Québec. Videotron has yet to receive a response from Bell.
These forms are an obvious ploy by Bell to slow the process of connecting more Québec households. Bell’s documentation also includes a clause stipulating they can cancel this process at any time, without explanation.
If Hydro-Québec can offer telecommunications companies a suitable agreement, Bell should be able to do the same. It would benefit all Quebecers.
