UPDATED: Several stakeholders tell CRTC about MLTS systems for 911/988

The CRTC received a raft of responses on its notice of consultation on 911 and 988 calls from multiline telephone systems (MLTS). The systems, found in such institutions as hotels and universities, require the use of a prefix to be dialed before an outside line is established. During 911 emergencies the public service answering point …

CRTC seeks information on Bell’s NG911 embargo

The CRTC has sent a letter to BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada demanding to know why the telecom imposed an embargo on next generation 911 (NG911) onboarding and go-live activities. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …

CRTC opens proceeding into 911 and 988 calls from MLTS

Tuesday the CRTC announced it was beginning a proceeding into emergency calls from multi-line telephone systems (MLTS). These networks are mostly used by outlets with multiple telephone lines such as offices, hotels or hospitals and frequently require dialing a prefix to get an outside line. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …

Parliamentarians decry lack of French 911 service

MPs from both sides of the House of Commons were upset that 911 service was not available to a francophone consumer in distress recently. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …

TBayTel granted delay in rollout of 10-digit dialing

The CRTC Wednesday approved a proposal by TBayTel Inc. that it be permitted to delay the implementation of 10-digit dialing in its area. The regional telecom had made the application late last year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …

CRTC issues best practices for 911 use by multi-line telephone systems

The CRTC has approved the recommendations of the Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG) of the regulator’s Interconnection Steering Committee, and is directing telecom service providers to inform owners of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) of the best practices related to the systems’ use of 911 services, and to update their service agreements with MLTS owners.  This …

CRTC approves CISC working group report on location technology

Friday the CRTC approved a report from the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) regarding handset-based location technology. The report itself came from CISC’s Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Tories demand action on 988, Liberals say outreach is ongoing

The Conservatives kept up their pressure on the government to implement a three-digit emergency line for mental health crises and suicide prevention. It has been more than a year since the House of Commons unanimously approved MP Todd Doherty’s motion to establish 988 as that line. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …

CRTC approves Telus NG911 Local Government Service Agreement

The CRTC has approved Telus Corp.’s revisions to next-generation 911 (NG911) Local Government Service Agreement template. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. …

Telus wants CRTC to reclassify small ILECs for NG911 service, asks for suspension of funding consult

Telus Corp. is asking the CRTC to reclassify small incumbent local exchange carriers (SILECs)  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. FREE TRIAL …

CRTC seeks comments on next-gen 911 deployment

The CRTC is seeking comments on funding for the rollout of next-generation 911 (NG911) service, according to a notice issued Tuesday.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …

Shaw backs delay of STIR/SHAKEN implementation

Shaw Communications Inc. has added its voice to those calling for deferral of the implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN condition.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The …

Municipally-owned B.C. SILEC asks CRTC for relief from NG911 requirements 

A municipally-owned small incumbent local exchange carrier (SILEC) in northwest British Columbia is requesting that the CRTC relieve it of its next-generation 911 (NG911) network requirements claiming it needs a few years to put the necessary infrastructure in place to properly transition from its basic 911 (B911) network. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers …

Bell wary of New Brunswick’s proposed NG911 system

BCE Inc. has filed an intervention with the CRTC saying New Brunswick’s plan for how it would like to adapt its next-generation 911 (NG911) services may not be the best approach.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …

Local RCMP raises security concerns over New Brunswick NG911 clarification application with the CRTC

The New Brunswick RCMP is raising concerns to the CRTC that the province’s proposal for how it would like to adapt its next-generation 911 (NG911) services could put RCMP security at risk, in an intervention published Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …

Emergency services affected by service outage, Rogers confirms

The wireless service outage that began on  Sunday and affected the country’s four major carriers impacted 911 emergency services for nearly eight hours, Rogers Communications Inc. confirmed.  This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …

Bell to overhaul Manitoba public safety comms

BCE Inc. has won the contract to replace Manitoba’s aging public safety communications service, a project that’s expected to cost $380 million and take three years, the provincial government said in a press release. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …

Big Three face lawsuit over 911-location tech

A Colorado-based company is suing BCE Inc., Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. for allegedly violating its patents involving technology used to locate mobile phones for 911 service. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

CRTC backtracks on aspects of NG911 decision

The CRTC has changed its mind when it comes to a distinction it initially drew between primary and secondary public safety answering points (PSAPs), following opposition from a group of police departments and emergency authorities. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Text-with-911 incompatible with WiFi calling: CRTC

In a step towards its goal of upgrading Canada’s 911 network by 2020, the CRTC published a decision on Friday which recommended that wireless service providers default all 911 calls to the cellular networks whenever possible. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …

CRTC sets new notification rules for 911 service outages

The CRTC has ordered landline and wireless service providers to implement new recommendations regarding 911 service outage notifications. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire …

NG911 could be costly, unreliable due to CRTC definition: PSAPs

A group of police departments and emergency authorities that run public safety answering points (PSAPs), or 911 call centres, is telling the CRTC that a distinction it drew between primary and secondary PSAPs in a decision on next-generation 911 (NG911) will negatively affect the new system. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …

Service restored after cut cable cripples Bell, Telus network

A cut cable crippled the shared network of BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. in Atlantic Canada Friday, according to the carriers, whose customers across eastern portions of the country were left without wireless services for roughly five hours. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …

Give four days’ notice before service disconnection, CRTC says

Telecommunications service providers must give customers a heads up of at least four business days before disconnecting or suspending a service to end users or another service provider, the CRTC said in a Thursday decision, imposing new regulations following an inter-company dispute that left thousands without phone service last year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers …

CRTC demands NG911 network upgrade by 2020

The CRTC has started the clock on next-generation 911 (NG911) services, directing the country’s telcos to ready their networks to fully support sending emergency information via text, photo or video messages by the end of 2020. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …

National 911 operator could disrupt regional relationships: PSAP

Forming a national consortium for the development of next-generation 911 (NG911) services would disrupt relationships formed under the current ILEC model, a British Columbia public-safety answer point (PSAP) argued on the second day of the CRTC’s week-long hearing on NG911.

CRTC should take charge in next-generation 911 rollout, regulator hears

GATINEAU, Que. — The CRTC should take a leading role — at least temporarily — in co-ordinating the development of next-generation 911 services, the regulator heard Monday as it kicked off a week-long hearing into the future of the emergency call system.

Making the transition to an environment where 911 call-takers, or public safety answering points (PSAPs), can receive communication other than voice (such as text, picture and video messages) needs outside guidance, interveners said.