CRTC to examine future of 911 services in Canada

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that it will examine the future of 911 services in Canada. To prepare for the formal review in 2014-2015, the CRTC has appointed National Commissioner Tim Denton as an Inquiry Officer and invites Canadians to share their views on how 911 services could be improved. Mr. Denton will report his findings to the CRTC by the end of May 2013.

"Each year, the 911 system is relied upon by thousands of Canadians during emergency situations," said Mr. Denton. "As telecommunications networks evolve and adopt new technologies, we all have an interest in ensuring that the system continues to meet Canadians' needs. In particular, I would encourage first responders, call centre operators and governmental bodies to share their ideas on how the 911 system could help them better respond to emergency situations."

Mr. Denton will conduct research on 911 services in light of the telecommunications system's ongoing evolution to next-generation networks based on Internet Protocol. His recommendations will be taken into consideration when the CRTC begins its formal review of the regulatory framework for Canada's 911 system.

To assist Mr. Denton in preparing his report, the CRTC today launched a public consultation. Canadians are invited to share their views by February 1, 2013, on the following topics:

• the performance and adequacy of the technology currently employed by 911 services, such as that used to locate a caller using a cellphone
• the issues related to the provision of 911 services on next-generation networks, including how systems should be designed and the appropriate institutional arrangements, and
• policy considerations on 911 matters.

Canadians can participate in this consultation by:

• filling out the online form https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/instances-proceedings/Default-Defaut.aspx?Lang=eng&YA=2012&S=O&PA=t&PT=nc&PST=a#2012-686
• writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or
• sending a fax, at 819-994-0218.

Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2012-686
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/fra/archive/2012/2012-686.htm

The CRTC

The CRTC is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Reference documents:
How to participate in a CRTC public proceeding
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/G4.HTM
Fact sheet on 911 services
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/t1035.htm
CRTC Three-Year Plan 2012-15
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/backgrnd/plan2012.htm

SOURCE: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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