|
|
Telecom Public Notice 2005-1
|
|
|
Ottawa, 28 January 2005
|
|
|
Expansion of 10-digit local dialing in 450 region
|
|
|
Reference: 8698-C12-200500977 and 8698-C12-10/00
|
|
|
In this Public Notice the Commission invites comments on a proposal to implement 10-digit local dialing in area code 450 in the Montreal region currently scheduled for October 2006, coincident with the introduction of 10-digit local dialing in adjacent area code 514.
|
|
|
Background
|
|
1.
|
In New area code overlay to be introduced in 514 region, Order CRTC 2000-1187, 22 December 2000,1 the Commission approved the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) ad hoc Numbering Plan Area 514 Relief Planning Committee's (the 514 RPC's) recommendation to introduce a new area code using the overlay method, in all exchanges in area code 514. The Commission also directed that 10-digit local dialing in area code 514 commence with the introduction of the new area code.
|
|
2.
|
In a letter dated 2 December 2003 to the Chair of the 514 RPC, the Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering (CSCN), a working group under CISC responsible for recommending solutions to numbering issues in Canada, outlined concerns about a potential dial plan conflict related to the area code 514 relief plan. Specifically, the CSCN was concerned with opening area code 438, the assigned relief area code, as an overlay in the area code 514 region.
|
|
3.
|
The CSCN noted that area code 438 was assigned as a central office (CO)2 code in area code 450, which was adjacent to area code 514. The CSCN noted that there were 10 exchanges in area code 450 that had seven-digit local dialing to CO code 438 in the St-Jérôme exchange and that would also have 10-digit local dialing into the new area code 438. These ten exchanges were identified as Lachute, Mirabel-Aéroport, Mirabel-St-Augustin, Mirabel-Ste-Scholastique, Shawbridge, St-Calixte-de-Kilkenny, St-Hippolyte, St-Lin, St-Sauveur, and Ste-Thérèse. The CSCN noted that some networks may have difficulty differentiating between seven-digit dialed calls that should be routed immediately within area code 450 (i.e., 438-XXXX), and the first seven digits of a 10-digit local call into the new area code (i.e., 438-NXX-XXXX). The CSCN requested that the Chair advise the 514 RPC of this situation.
|
|
4.
|
On 15 April 2004, the 514 RPC submitted to the CSCN and the Commission NPA 514 RPC recommendation re: CO Code 450-438 Local Dial Plan Conflict, recommending that 10-digit local dialing be introduced throughout area code 450, coincident with the introduction of 10-digit local dialing in area code 514.
|
|
5.
|
In Relief plan for area code 514, Telecom Decision CRTC 2004-61, 27 September 2004 (Decision 2004-61), the Commission noted that some 10-digit local dialing into area code 514 from area code 450 already exists, but further noted that the situation in area code 438 was unique, in that the same digits would be used as both an area code and a CO code. The Commission considered the potential dial plan conflict, referred to by the CSCN. In this regard, the Commission stated that absent an aggressive consumer awareness program, to clearly explain to customers that calls to the new area code 438 must be dialed on a 10-digit basis (i.e., with the area code), while calls to CO code 438 within area code 450 must be dialed on a seven-digit basis, customers in these exchanges could become confused and frustrated with the combination of local dialing plans.
|
|
6.
|
In Decision 2004-61, the Commission contemplated the 514 RPC's recommendation for resolving the dial plan conflict, and considered that it would eliminate the confusion of combining seven-digit and 10-digit local dialing. The Commission noted, however, that this recommendation was developed solely by the telecommunication service providers (TSPs) and that approving it in Decision 2004-61 would preclude consideration of public input. The Commission considered that customers should have the opportunity to consider the proposal and provide their views on the matter.
|
|
7.
|
In Decision 2004-61, the Commission determined that the relief date (i.e. the date on which mandatory 10-digit local dialing is implemented) for area code 514 would be 4 November 2006. The Commission considered that if 10-digit local dialing was to be implemented in area code 450 at the same time, it was important to give adequate notice to customers, such that they could prepare for the change, by becoming familiar with the dialing plan, as well as modifying their advertising, letterhead, PBX dial plans, etc.
|
|
8.
|
The Commission therefore indicated that it would seek public input in an expedited manner from customers in area code 450.
|
|
9.
|
The Commission notes that the current projected exhaust date for area code 450 is April 2024; therefore, if 10-digit local dialing is not introduced in this area code coincident with the implementation of area code 438 in 2006, a mix of seven and 10-digit local dialing would likely exist for many years to come.
|
|
Call for comments
|
|
10.
|
The Commission invites comments from TSPs and customers in area code 450 as to the benefits and drawbacks of retaining a mix of seven and 10-digit local dialing in area code 450 versus the benefits and drawbacks of implementing 10-digit local dialing throughout area code 450, coincident with the introduction of a new area code in the 514 region, which is scheduled for 2006. The Commission is particularly interested in hearing from TSPs and customers in the Lachute, Mirabel-Aéroport, Mirabel-St-Augustin, Mirabel-Ste-Scholastique, Shawbridge, St-Calixte-de-Kilkenny, St-Hippolyte, St-Lin, St-Sauveur, and Ste-Thérèse exchanges, who will have local calling to the St-Jérôme exchange (CO code 438 in area code 450), and local calling within the new area code 438 region.
|
|
Procedure
|
|
11.
|
All TSPs are made parties to this proceeding.
|
|
12.
|
Other parties wishing to participate fully in this proceeding must notify the Commission of their intention to do so, by 8 February 2005. They should contact the Secretary General by mail at CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, by fax at (819) 994-0218 or by email at procedure@crtc.gc.ca. They are to indicate in the notice their email address where available. If parties do not have access to the Internet, they are to indicate in their notice whether they wish to receive disk versions of hard copy filings.
|
|
13.
|
The Commission will issue, as soon as possible after the registration date, a complete list of parties and their mailing address (including their email address, if available), identifying those parties who wish to receive disk versions.
|
|
14.
|
Parties are invited to file their submissions with regard to the introduction of 10-digit local dialing in area code 450, coincident with the introduction of a new area code in the 514 region, with the Commission by 17 February 2005, serving a copy on all other parties.
|
|
15.
|
Any person who wishes merely to file written comments on the introduction of 10-digit dialing in area code 450 in this proceeding, without receiving copies of the various submissions, may do so by writing to the Commission at the address noted in paragraph 12, or by sending an email to procedure@crtc.gc.ca by 17 February 2005.
|
|
16.
|
All parties may file reply comments relating to area code 450, with the Commission by 22 February 2005, serving a copy on all other parties.
|
|
17.
|
The Commission will not formally acknowledge comments. It will, however, fully consider all comments and they will form part of the public record of the proceeding.
|
|
18.
|
Where a document is to be filed or served by a specific date, the document must be actually received, not merely sent, by that date.
|
|
19.
|
Parties can file their submissions electronically or on paper. Submissions longer than five pages should include a summary.
|
|
20.
|
Where the submission is filed by electronic means, the line ***End of document*** should be entered following the last paragraph of the document, as an indication that the document has not been damaged during electronic transmission.
|
|
21.
|
Please note that only those submissions electronically filed will be available on the Commission's web site and only in the official language and format in which they are submitted.
|
|
22.
|
Each paragraph of your submission should be numbered.
|
|
23.
|
The Commission also encourages interested parties to monitor the public record of this proceeding (and/or the Commission's web site) for additional information that they may find useful when preparing their submissions.
|
|
|
Important
|
|
24.
|
All information submitted, including your email address, name and any other personal information as provided, will be posted on the Commission's web site. Documents received in electronic format will be posted on the Commission's web site exactly as you send them, and in the official language and format in which they are received. Documents not received electronically will be available in .pdf format.
|
|
|
Location of CRTC offices
|
|
25.
|
Submissions may be examined or will be made available promptly upon request at the Commission offices during normal business hours:
|
|
|
Central Building
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
1 Promenade du Portage, Room 206
Gatineau, Quebec J8X 4B1
Tel: (819) 997-2429 - TDD: 994-0423
Fax: (819) 994-0218
|
|
|
205 Viger Avenue West, Suite 504
Montréal, Quebec H2Z 1G2
Tel: (514) 283-6607
|
|
|
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
|
___________________
Footnotes:
1 As amended by Correction to Order CRTC 2000-1187 dated 22 December 2000, Order CRTC 2000-1187-1, 5 January 2001.
2 A CO code is the first three digits of a seven-digit telephone number (e.g., in 555-1212, the CO code is 555); an area code is the first three digits in a 10-digit telephone number (e.g., in 902-555-1212, the area code is 902).
|