ARCHIVED - Public Notice CRTC 2001-20

Public Notice CRTC 2001-20

Ottawa, 5 February 2001

Establishment of a CISC ad hoc committee for area code relief planning in area codes 613 and 819

Reference: 8698-C12-11/01

In this public notice the Commission sets out a process for relief planning activities for area codes 613 and 819 and creates an interested parties list for information related to these activities. The Commission also establishes a CISC ad hoc committee to develop options for relief planning.

The scope of relief planning activities is limited to the consideration of solutions and issues related to the introduction of new numbering resources within a geographical area. Since area code relief planning does not impact local and long distance calling areas or rates, these issues are outside the scope of the processes described in this public notice.

In order to increase public awareness and participation, the Commission has determined that NPA relief planning committees will be established as ad hoc committees of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC). As such, the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA), in its function as NPA relief planning co-ordinator, acts as chair of these ad hoc committees.

Generally, a separate ad hoc committee is created to deal with relief in each area code. The 613 and 819 area codes however, are unique in that the local calling area in the Ottawa-Hull area overlaps both two provinces and two area codes. Any planning process which addresses the exhaust of one area code must therefore also consider the impact of exhaust on the other area code as well. This necessitates that relief planning for both area codes be conducted simultaneously by a single committee.

The 613/819 ad hoc relief planning committee has been established to develop a relief planning document which describes all options that might reasonably be pursued to implement relief for area codes 613 and 819. The benefits and drawbacks of each option will also be clearly identified. This relief planning document will then be forwarded to the CRTC via the CISC for inclusion in a public process. In this public process, the Commission will seek comments on the appropriate method by which relief will be implemented. The Commission will then render its decision.

The first meeting of this ad hoc committee will be held on February 15^th and 16^th, 2001. Information regarding the location and time of the initial meeting, as well as related documentation, including an initial relief planning document and schedule of future meetings, is available from the office of the CNA at www.cnac.ca or by contacting SAIC Canada at (613) 563-7242.

Once the Commission has considered all public comments and made a determination on a relief method and date, the ad hoc committee will be called upon to develop a proposed NPA relief implementation plan. This relief implementation plan will be forwarded to the CRTC for approval, via the CISC. If approved, all telecommunications service providers using, or intending to use, numbering resources in area codes 613 or 819, will be required to execute this plan.

In preparation for these relief planning activities, the CNA should ensure that all central office codes (NXXs) in the 613 and 819 area codes are all accounted for and that all records for these area codes are up to date. In addition, the CNA should also ensure that Part 4 forms have been received for all assigned NXXs in these area codes as per the timelines set out in the central office code (NXX) assignment guidelines. The CNA should initiate reclamation of any NXX assigned to any carrier who has not filed the appropriate documentation and who has not received an extension as per the guidelines.

Persons wishing to participate in the 613/819 ad hoc relief planning committee or who otherwise would like to receive the documentation relating to the work of the committee must notify the Commission of their intention to do so by contacting the Secretary General by mail at CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2; by fax: at (819) 953-0795; or by email at procedure@crtc.gc.ca , within 30 days of the date of this public notice. The Commission will issue a list of interested parties at the conclusion of this 30-day period.

Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca