ARCHIVED -  Telecom Public Notice CRTC 95-37

Telecom Public Notice

Ottawa, 26 July 1995

Telecom Public Notice CRTC 95-37

IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK - LOCAL NUMBER PORTABILITY AND RELATED ISSUES

I BACKGROUND

In Review of Regulatory Framework, Telecom Decision CRTC 94-19, 16 September 1994 (Decision 94-19), the Commission established procedures to implement tariffs to unbundle the network components of the telephone companies. In particular, interested parties were encouraged to make their unbundling requirements known to the telephone companies within 90 days, and the telephone companies were directed to file proposed tariffs within 180 days.

On 15 and 22 March 1995, Stentor Resource Centre Inc. filed, on behalf of the telephone companies, a model tariff and other submissions related to the unbundling of the telephone companies' networks. Stentor commented on the issue of number portability, but did not provide for it in its model tariff. Stentor noted that, in their submissions to the telephone companies pursuant to Decision 94-19, virtually all parties referred to the desirability of having number portability available within the local calling area. The Commission notes that other issues associated with numbering, such as the assignment of numbering resources and the establishment of a neutral third party administrator, were also raised by parties in their submissions to the telephone companies.

Stentor stated in its submission of 15 March 1995 that its owner companies are active participants in forums where possible solutions with regard to number portability are being examined, in particular, the Industry Numbering Committee and the Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering. Stentor stated that an industry-wide solution is not yet available, but that the companies are prepared to work with competitors in the pursuit of interim solutions. Stentor stated that proposed interim solutions would have to be examined in the context of customer and network impacts and costs.

In Implementation of Regulatory Framework - Local Interconnection and Network Component Unbundling, Telecom Public Notice CRTC 95-36, 11 July 1995, the Commission established a proceeding to deal with Stentor's unbundling proposals and related matters. In that Public Notice, the Commission stated that issues related to number portability would be best addressed in a proceeding separate from the unbundling proceeding, because of the likely need for an element of negotiation between the parties and for intervention by the Commission or its staff at an intermediate stage. The Commission also stated that number portability and the question of the transfer of number administration functions from the telephone companies to another body should be considered together. The Commission noted that it would issue a separate public notice in the near future to initiate a proceeding to deal with these issues.

The issue of local number portability was discussed in the Commission´s report, Competition and Culture on Canada´s Information Highway: Managing the Realities of Transition, submitted to the Government of Canada on 19 May 1995 in response to Order in Council P.C. 1994-1689, dated 11 October 1994. In its report, the Commission stated that number portability must be addressed and solutions must be sought in order to facilitate local competition. The Commission also recognized that technical issues surrounding number portability require clarification, and that interim solutions may be necessary to facilitate an acceptable measure of portability at an early date.

As indicated in its report to the the Commission is of the view that the issues associated with local number portability must be identified expeditiously and interim and long-term solutions sought. Accordingly, the Commission initiates a proceeding to consider local number portability and related issues, including the question of the transfer of number administration functions from the telephone companies to another body.

In order to more clearly define the scope of this proceeding, the Commission considers it appropriate to make initial determinations as to (1) the particular issues that must be addressed in this proceeding, and (2) whether any consensus exists with regard to their resolution. Therefore, in accordance with the procedure set out below, the Commission requests that parties make initial submissions identifying the particular issues that they consider must be resolved. In their submissions, parties are to (1) clearly identify any such issues, (2) indicate why each issue must be addressed, and (3) recommend a solution for each issue or a process by which it might be resolved. In addition, parties are to identify what they consider to be the minimum requirements for interim number portability.

Parties with similar interests are encouraged to file joint submissions, which must clearly indicate all parties on whose behalf they are made and the name of the primary contact for the group.

Following receipt of the initial submissions, the Commission will convene a meeting among parties and its staff, at which parties who filed submissions can elaborate on their views regarding the issues and all parties can address questions to those who filed submissions. Following the meeting, the Commission will issue a further Public Notice identifying the issues, defining the scope of the proceeding and setting out further process.

II PROCEDURE

1. AGT, BC TEL, Bell Canada, The Island Telephone Company Limited, Manitoba Telephone System, Maritime Tel & Tel Limited, The New Brunswick Telephone Company Limited and Newfoundland Telephone Company Limited (the Stentor companies) are made party to this proceeding. The Commission considers that the identification of the issues in this proceeding would be assisted by the participation of Northwestel Inc. and the companies that became subject to the Commission's jurisdiction as a result of the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Guèvremont case. Accordingly, the Commission also makes these companies party to the proceeding.

2. Other persons wishing to participate in this proceeding must notify the Commission of their intention to do so by writing to Mr. Allan J. Darling, Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, fax: 819- 953-0795, by 18 August 1995. By the same date, all parties (including the Stentor companies, or Stentor on their behalf) are to identify the representative(s) who will attend the meeting with Commission staff. The Commission will issue a complete list of parties and their mailing addresses.

3. The Stentor companies (or Stentor on their behalf) are directed to file the initial submissions described in Part I above, serving copies on all parties, by 1 September 1995. Other parties may also file such submissions, serving copies on all other parties, by 1 September 1995.

4. Where a document is to be filed or served by a specific date, the document must be actually received, not merely mailed, by that date.

5. The meeting among parties and Commission staff has been tentatively scheduled for 21 September 1995.

6. The Commission will issue directions as to further process following the meeting.

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General