CWTA and Wireless Carriers Donate Legal Costs to City of Nanaimo

Funds will Support City's 9-1-1 Operations

VANCOUVER, May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), in partnership with TELUS, Rogers and Bell, today announced a donation of $22,000 to the City of Nanaimo for support of the City's 9-1-1 emergency operations.

CWTA and the wireless service providers were awarded legal costs from the City of Nanaimo in a Decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia last July concerning a jurisdictional review of a municipal fee on 9-1-1 calls. It is those legal costs that the wireless industry is returning to the City.

"Our goal in determining what role wireless carriers can play in ensuring that 9-1-1 call centres are properly funded was never about costs," said CWTA President & CEO Bernard Lord. "Canada's wireless industry looks forward to working with the provincial government in coming up with a solution that will benefit the public safety community across the province and keep British Columbians safe."

Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan said, "The City and our Central Vancouver Island 9-1-1 Service partners appreciate the CWTA's gesture to return these costs back to our community. Our desire has always been to have a province-wide solution on the Call Answer levy, and we believe that this is achievable through cooperation with the industry and Province."

CWTA President Bernard Lord and Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan will be available for further comment and photo opportunities at the Vancouver Convention Centre, East Meeting Room 14, on Friday, May 31 beginning at 9.30am.

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)

CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce products and services for the industry. (www.cwta.ca)

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SOURCE: CANADIAN WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION

Ashlee Smith, CWTA
613-233-4888 ext. 227
[email protected]